Bluetooth Moves Past the Hype, Into the Enterprise

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/qna/0,289202,sid40_gci940770,00.html' target='_blank'>http://searchmobilecomputing.techta...i940770,00.html</a><br /><br /></div>"Bluetooth has already been through a cycle of hype and disappointment, which is one of the ways you can tell that the short-range wireless technology is finally ready for the big time, said Burton Group senior analyst Mike Disabato. Another indicator is a bit more concrete: With a million units shipping each month, more Bluetooth-enabled devices will have shipped by the end of the year than Wi-Fi-enabled devices. <br /><br />Disabato just finished a report, "Bluetooth: Up Close and Personal Networking," that examines the growth of Bluetooth and its place in the enterprise. In an interview with SearchMobileComputing.com, Disabato shares some of his insight on how to manage this emerging technology..."<br /><br />Quite an interesting article. There's a lot to like about Bluetooth, but I have yet to see a software implementation on the Windows desktop that actually makes it easy to set Bluetooth up. Microsoft needs to adopt Bluetooth and make it native in Windows XP, and create a basic UI for the functionality, because every software implementation I've seen for Bluetooth on the desktop is a GUI nightmare. :?

[iomatic]

Perhaps it's odd and non-native on Windows, but Bluetooth implementation on the Mac is a joy. Not only can you sync PocketPC (via MissingSync) and Palm devices, but you can also control the system and applications (DVD Player, iTunes, Proximity Syncing) with Salling Clicker (salling.com). Give it a shot.

[Jason Dunn]

Give it a shot.

Urm...you're suggesting I buy a Mac to get a good Bluetooth experience? :? No offence, but that's like me complaining about a Pocket PC feature and having people chime in with "Oh, that feature works great on a Palm, go buy one!". I'm interested in seeing my chosen platform (Windows) improve, not moving to another one. :wink:

[dma1965]

I remember a very recent post where the death of Bluetooth was the topic of discussion, and I have to say that not only is it not dead, but I am starting to see it become more mainstream. I, for one, totally rely on it for my GPS, GPRS, and for backing up my phonebook on my mobile, and it works great on my laptop with the Socket Bluetooth Connection kit. Granted, it is not braindead simple to configure yet, but once it is configured it is a ROCK SOLID connection, and always works! I am glad to see more devices coming out with Bluetooth, and hope it eventually replaces all of those obnoxious wires in my life. I would love a Bluetooth remote control, for example, for my home electronics. That would just rock!

[davea]

I'd love to tie my Nokia 3650 (buiit in Bluetooth) with my Dell Axim X5.
What's the best/most affordable CF solution for my needs? (I was thinking
of the Ambicom Air2Net Wireless Bluetooth CF Card) Any guidance out
there so that I can jump into Bluetooth? Best place to get a good deal?

Thanks,

[dma1965]

Do not use the Air2Net card! It just plain sucks. I had one and hated it, and their support is horrible. The best card I have found is the one from socket (www.socketcom.com). It just works! :!:

[Mike Temporale]

WinXP SP 2 will have a greatly improved BlueTooth experience, and Microsoft is expected to release that really soon.

I have just started to use Bluetooth, and I have to admit it wasn't as easy as some people have indicated it was. It took more effort than the average user would have put into it.

I finally have everything working, but I'm really looking forward to the improvements in Service Pack 2. :D

[Sven Johannsen]

best/most affordable CF solution, Those unfortunately seem mutually exclusive. I would have to humbly suggest that that low cost not be a primary concern in this purchase. Go for the Socket card...and the BT software that comes with it. I would have been financially ahead had I bought the Socket card first, rather than a couple of low cost solutions first ;)

Incidentally I am quite pleased with the Billionton USB solution on the desktop. Software seems logical and well integrated with XP at least.

[andbrown]

Go for the Socket card...and the BT software that comes with it. I would have been financially ahead had I bought the Socket card first, rather than a couple of low cost solutions first

I'm very happy with my Axim X5 and Socket BT card as well. The Socket card is the only one that I'm aware of that doesn't have an antenna that sticks out on top of the Axim, which is a plus.

[heliod]

I am also very happy with the combination of the Axim X5 and the Socket card. This is a combination that works under any conditions, and is quite easy to use.

The only small problem is that there are some software packages (like Connect2Internet) that don't support the Socket Card. Luckily, they are not many.

Regarding the Desktops, I have found the later versions of the Widcomm stack to be very reliable and quite friendly as well. Wouldn't call it a nightmare as Jason did, although they still have some things to improve. I have been doing BT Sync from my notebook, BT DUN sometimes in demos, and Webcasts using a BT Headset, and it has been working like a charm.

[cmlpreston]

Give it a shot.

Urm...you're suggesting I buy a Mac to get a good Bluetooth experience? :? No offence, but that's like me complaining about a Pocket PC feature and having people chime in with "Oh, that feature works great on a Palm, go buy one!". I'm interested in seeing my chosen platform (Windows) improve, not moving to another one. :wink:

Jason, I think you are being a bit disingenuous here. You say earlier... I have yet to see a software implementation on the desktop that actually makes it easy to set Bluetooth up. Microsoft needs to adopt Bluetooth and make it native in Windows XP, and create a basic UI for the functionality, because every software implementation I've seen for Bluetooth on the desktop is a GUI nightmare.

...but then when it is pointed out there is a perfectly functional implentation with an excellent GUI, you deny that that is an option because apparently Microsoft didn't make it. I think iomatic makes a perfectly valid point. The fact that you choose to use a platform that doesn't provide a decent bluetooth experience doesn't mean one doesn't exist!

cmlp

(oh no, Advocacy. I'll shut up now)

[ZiL]

WinXP SP 2 will have a greatly improved BlueTooth experience, and Microsoft is expected to release that really soon.

Yep I read that news 20min. ago. You can read it too at:

http://news.com.com/2100-1016_3-5120138.html?tag=nefd_top

Microsoft is set to release a test version of the next update to Windows XP, which adds security features as well as improved support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks.

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, I think you are being a bit disingenuous here. You say earlier...

I've edited my post to say "Windows desktop", which you know full well was what I meant when I made the post. If someone refers to a "desktop" computer, there's a 97% chance they're talking about a Windows machine given the current market share, right? I don't use a Mac, nor have I even SEEN anyone I know use a Mac in 5+ years.

That said, I have heard Mac users talk about how wonderful the implementation of Bluetooth is, which is great, but like everything else that Apple does (like making iTunes inaccessible to me in Canada), completely irrelevant to my life.

[powder2000]

I have a dconnex bluetooth card that I picked up for cheap. I have yet to get a usb adapter or any other BT device to try it out. My first question is, is it a very good cf adapter, it uses the widcomm driver? What usb adapter would work best with it? I am anxious to expand my connection options.

[mcsouth]

Well, I have a couple of thoughts here on this subject.....

The comparison of BT shipments vs. Wi-Fi to be a bit misleading; the fact of the matter is that a large number of Bluetooth devices that are sold just happen to be cellphones, and how many of those were actually selected by the user so that they could use it? In other words, how many of the Bluetooth shipments just happen to come with a product, and are not necessarily representative of actual retail demand? IMHO, Wi-Fi product shipments are based on actual retail demand for that product, unlike the BT numbers, so the comparison isn't exactly apples to apples.....

I just recently purchased a Tecom BT3030 Class 1 Bluetooth USB dongle, and installed it on my home PC so that I could tie my iPaq 1945 into my home network. I got through the process of installation of the latest WidComm drivers (well, actually the 1.3 version), and got my iPaq to ActiveSync through Bluetooth without too much trouble. However, when I tried to bridge my Bluetooth network to my Wi-Fi network, I only resulted in booting my PC off the network. As near as I can tell, the process must somehow create an IP conflict with my router, but I'm just not brave enough to try moving my router to a different IP to see if that resolves the problem. I had the benefit of Peppe's BT guides helping me along, but just couldn't get the bridge to work.....

Bottom line, Bluetooth is just way too fussy to set up for the average user, and to me, seems doomed to be replaced by some easier, transparent process. Heck, even with BT ActiveSync enabled, it is still faster to drop my iPaq into the cradle (it needs recharged anyways), than to go through the numerous taps necessary to open Bluetooth Manager and locate the shortcut.........

[DubWireless]

I don't use a Mac, nor have I even SEEN anyone I know use a Mac in 5+ years.

That said, I have heard Mac users talk about how wonderful the implementation of Bluetooth is, which is great, but like everything else that Apple does (like making iTunes inaccessible to me in Canada), completely irrelevant to my life.

i was using my iBook at the Pocket PC Summit in October (even had it open during your session!) maybe I wasn't sitting near enough to you ;) - had a few people in the sessions staring at me funny though

was using it with my Pocket PC over Bluetooth and it worked great with the iPAQ and Missing Sync (as reviewed excellently by Marlof during the week... (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,20801)), although I've since moved on to Pocket Mac (http://www.pocketmac.net) for it's Entourage (Outlook for the Mac) support

the Bluetooth sync and Internet Pass-thru worked great during the trip, was able to piggyback on the WiFi access at the Summit to sync AvantGo and my e-mail (with the rest of the people camped out on the floor!) on the Pocket PC with no hassle

i'll keep my fingers crossed for a good Microsoft XP implementation, although their initial attempt at providing their own Bluetooth support on the HTC Himalaya hasn't been a great experience so far for me, i'd have preferred a Widcomm implementation (as used in the iPAQ) to the MS one currently provided....