Bluetooth’s Relentless Creativity
Can you believe that Bluetooth has been around since 1994? That’s 17 years since they first introduced the technology that would have us all walking around with wireless devices attached to our ears. Whodathunkit?
After all these years, Bluetooth is still a very creative company, introducing cool new stuff all the time. Since I love my BlueAnt headset so much, I decided to investigate various software packages that would connect my BlueAnt to my computer. So far, I’ve been able to:
1. Transfer pictures and movies taken on my phone wirelessly to my computer.
2. Sync my address book data between my phone and my computer.
3. Use my cellphone as a "clicker" to advance powerpoint slides.
4. Text people through my phone from my computer (after all, the computer has a better keyboard).
5. Pick up and dial calls directly from my PC.
6. Auto-lock and unlock my computer screen when I walk away with my phone.
And that was just a quick search! What else is Bluetooth up to these days?
Just earlier this month, Yamaha announced its latest line of Home Theater Receivers that are Bluetooth and iPod/iPhone compatible. Seriously, that’s awesome.
Nordic Semiconductor, ANT and Bluetooth have teamed up to create ultra low power (ULP) wireless fitness sensors that are worn on the body to track and log training data—such as heart-rate, speed, and distance. Users can then share the results online with others. Nordic states, “This benefits everyone from elite athletes seeking to fine-tune their training regimes to those who simply want to get fit and stay motivated by seeing the results of their hard work.”
And, finally, IVT Corporation has launched a new mobile health service in China that allows medical monitoring from home, reducing the risk of diseases and assisting with speedy rescue in the case of an emergency. The system collects wireless information from Bluetooth-enabled ECG monitors, oximeters, mobile phones, and other devices. Pretty cool stuff.
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