Why don’t you use bluetooth?
This is a question that I have been asked quite a bit lately. With phones, laptops, pdas, and even cars coming with bluetooth, why not use it?
Well….the quick answer is because it’s lack of security. The long answer is because I dont find it useful.
First off. Security. There is some security in bluetooth, but its complicated for many people to set it correctly or at least the talking between other gadgets. With the lack of security this can allow anyone to access your bluetooth enabled device. For instance, if you are using a cell phone with BT, someone with the right tools can actually take control of your phone and begin making calls. All without you knowing. They could also download your messages and phone book. This is also true with laptops that have BT enabled, such as Apple powerbooks. Don’t be scared. It’s not yet a regular thing, but the fact that it’s not secure, really gives me the heebies.
Now the long answer. I personally don’t find it useful. Yes, its great that you can talk on your cell phone wirelessly with a BT enabled headset. Yes its easy to merge contacts or synch info with your pda and computer. Yes, a wireless life is a good life. But is it really useful? I am a big fan of wireless, but by now I was hoping that BT would be more than just a way to get around wires. I have yet to see the truly functional way of using BT. Here’s my take of the best use for BT.
Have a BT enable phone, headset, watch, pda, and laptop. Have all of those things talk to each other, (obviously securely). Here’s how they would work together. I’m in a meeting, I have my pda in front of me and my cell phone, which is turned to silent mode in my bag, begins to ring. My BT enable watch begins to buzz, displaying the caller ID of the phone number, if its someone I know, then it displays their name. My pda also displays the caller info, but more detail, like a pic, and a note pad pops up incase i want to take notes. But I want to look like I’m paying attention, so I look at my watch, and see that it’s just a friend calling, so I press a button on my watch that stops the buzzing, and sends the call to my voicemail. Had this been a call I wanted to take, I could have slipped out my headset from my pocket and begin talking. Now the meeting is over, and I can make my calls. Instead of taking my phone out of my bag, I simply check my pda. It says I have some new voicemail. I put on my headset, tell the pda to dial the vm and bam. I am using my pda as the phone interface. I would also be able to dial out from the pda to any number I chose. All of this without taking my cell phone out of my bag.
Why not use a convergence device like the Treo 650? Simply put. As much as I love the Treo 650 and lusted after it for a long while, when it comes down to it, it doesnt do what I want. I want to be the ultimate road warrior, without carrying a laptop. The Treo can accomplish this, but it does leave things lacking. First and foremost is the screen. HP has a pda /cellphnone hybrid but the pda part isnt that great. I want to be able to choose the pda I like. Recently this is the Dell Axim x50v.
Overall, BT is a great piece of tech, but it’s definitely being under utilized. Until someone creates a way to integrate all of this, I would hold off on BT, unless you are a synching madman with loads of devices that need to be synched. Unfortunately for me, I only have a pda to synch. So the cradle that doubles as a charger works fine for me.
One other thing is that some mobile carriers allow you to use the bluetooth connection on your phone to connect your pda or laptop with BT to the internet. But this can get quite pricey.
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treo 650
Bluetooth headset
dell axim x50v
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