Getting connected with Bluetooth

So what exactly is Bluetooth? It's a short-range wireless protocol created by a group of several high-tech companies: Ericsson, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba, and IBM. These firms worked together to create a single protocol allowing devices developed by their companies and even their competitors to communicate with each other -- to play nicely. In theory, you shouldn't have to worry about whether your Bluetooth devices can communicate with each other -- they should just work.

The name "Bluetooth" comes from a Danish king who successfully negotiated a way for warring factions to communicate peacefully. It's meant to conjure up an image of technology companies bravely setting aside their differences for the good of high-tech consumers everywhere.

What does "short range" mean? In most mobile applications, Bluetooth only covers an area of about 30 feet. Practically speaking, Bluetooth is about convenience. It creates a PAN (personal area network) that's designed to simplify your life by freeing you from extraneous cords and cables. Bluetooth uses secure short-range RF (radio frequency) waves to connect your iPAQ to laptops, desktop PCs, printers, digital cameras, mobile phones, and other PDAs to share and exchange information.

Let's take a quick look at some of the most important technical specifications that affect Bluetooth use:

• Bluetooth doesn't require a lot of user intervention. Your devices should be able to talk to each other without a lot of fiddling on your part.
• Using Bluetooth shouldn't drain your battery excessively. If you use a Bluetooth headset with your iPAQ, for example, you should still enjoy the same talk time you would with a wired headset.
• Bluetooth communication doesn't require a "line of sight." If you've ever tried to maneuver your way around a coffee shop table to send a vCard to another PDA user via IR (infrared), you know why this is a big advantage.

How can I connect?

Before you can connect using Bluetooth, you need to be sure your device offers Bluetooth capability.

If you're using an HP 6500 series iPAQ or another model with built-in Bluetooth and the latest version of the Pocket PC software, you're good to go. If you're using an older model, follow these steps:

1. If you're not sure whether your iPAQ has built-in Bluetooth, tap the wireless icon in the lower-right corner of the Today screen. It's the small antenna icon.
2. If you see a screen with the antenna icon that has a red circle containing an x over it, your iPAQ has Bluetooth, but it's turned off. Skip ahead to the next section to learn how to turn it on.
3. If you don't see any reference to Bluetooth, check one more place. Tap Start > Settings, and then tap the Connections tab. Do you see a Bluetooth icon?

If you still don't see any reference to Bluetooth, you most likely have an older iPAQ model. You may need an add-on Bluetooth adapter, such as the Belkin Bluetooth CF Adapter Card.

Step-by-step: set up your Bluetooth connection

Once you've determined that you do indeed have Bluetooth, you're ready to set it up.

1. Tap the wireless icon on the Today screen. The phone and Bluetooth settings screen appears.
2. In the Bluetooth section, tap Settings. The Bluetooth: General screen appears.
3. Tap the Turn on button.
4. Tap the Accessibility tab at the bottom of the screen and select the options you want.
5. On the Services tab, you can set parameters for different activities, such as file transfers and hands-free options. It's a good idea to leave these options set to their defaults initially. You can always go back and tweak these settings later.
6. Tap OK in the upper-right corner to save your changes and return to the phone and Bluetooth settings screen.
7. Tap Manager to access the Bluetooth Manager.
8. Tap New in the lower-left corner of the screen to access the Connection Wizard, which will walk you through the connection you want to make.

When you run the Connection Wizard, don't panic if you can't find other Bluetooth devices immediately. Before you contact tech support, check your other devices to ensure that Bluetooth is turned on and that you've allowed others to see and access that device. (Consult the documentation for your individual devices to find out how to do that.)

Once your Bluetooth device is connected, you're ready to go mobile!

For more information:

HP compatibility matrix for Bluetooth product