Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi

Bluetooth is a short range wireless technology for connecting different devices or matching up among the electronic products with Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth is generated using the radio frequency and the connection is unlicensed. In other words, setting up a password for protection is unnecessary in most of the Bluetooth-ready devices as the high level security is not needed. However, to gain access into other people’s cellphone usually will request the user to key in the specified password to set up the OBEX transfer files. Once the user keyed in the password correctly, he will be entitled to view the data shown in the other person’s hand-phone. To transfer the files, both of the users must come to an agreement by win-win situation.

Bluetooth is different than Wi-Fi although some people might say that their operations are based on the same radio frequency. Yes, this statement is very concise, but the characteristic among themselves are different from each other although the functionality is very similar. As for Bluetooth, the furthest reception for connectivity is usually much shorter than Wi-Fi which is in the range of 1-10 metres and the maximum range is 100m. Unlike Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connection can go beyond 100 metres using 802.11 G/N connectivity. For instance, a Wi-Fi consumer can use his laptop in the dining hall to view the wireless networks available around the house while the router is placed in the study room on the second floor. In other words, the range of the Wi-Fi connectivity can be very far from the source (router/modem) and the position can be a few blocks away (a few walls will never come between the connectivity).

Secondly, setting up a Bluetooth connection is very simple compared to the Wi-Fi connection as the user needs to purchase a router like LinkSys, NetGear and D-Link with built-in modem (advisable) and learnt the methods of configuring the router in the OS. Normally, the connection procedures are already bundled together with the modem during the purchase. If they are not inclusive in the box set, have no fear as maybe the installation manual is already saved as a PDF format in the CD given in the box. I am not quite sure why, but maybe the manufacturer attempted to cut down the cost on the product by not printing them in booklets or guides. With the newly bought router, the user is expected to plug-in the router into the network port of the PC and install the drivers on the CD. Later, entering 192.168.1.1 (for D-Link) and 192.168.0.1 (for NetGear) in the search bar of the following web browser (regardless of Mozilla FireFox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari and so on). Consequently, configuring the router via the web page is done step-by-step dependent on the local network settings. Username and Password are the key items in the content materials. DSP and the IP (IP address is one of the Internet protocol for identifying a particular PC or domain name on Internet) addresses are also compulsory for setting up a LAN/WAN.

Furthermore, the security level for Wi-Fi connection must be taken heavily as most of the laptop users have a lot of important information related to business or law content stored in their notebooks. So in order to lock the information before getting hacked by other computer freaks, setting up a password database will be a very wise idea. Moreover, the protection is also recommended to disallow other people around the area to log into the internet using the user’s account. Unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth speed is not fast enough if the user wish to transfer bulky data from one PC to another PC via Bluetooth connectivity.

However, when short range connectivity is demanded, Bluetooth is more than enough. This fact can be proven as with the new released of the latest video game consoles with Bluetooth controllers. These controllers are operated using the Bluetooth reception which is located in console transmitter.

Bluetooth adapter or USB dongle is quite expensive in the early release of the Bluetooth support on the cell-phones a few years ago. People prefer transferring the files via Bluetooth compared to the traditional IrDA which needs two devices with Infra Red dongle. So, the IrDA’s connectivity is not only pricey but also not convenient as the Infra signal will be interrupted if the dongle is displaced or moved carelessly by the user. Furthermore, the data transfer speed will put a headache to the user if the user is transferring MP3 files and the connection broke up in the midst of the uploading process.

Finally, I would say that there are pros and cons in every aspect of connectivity as stated above but the tech is improving into more and more advance stage when WiMax and WiMedia are in high demand.