Bluetooth is a wireless personal network specification, which means that you can use this technology to connect your mobile phone to your computer, your computer to your printer, your digital camera to your laptop and so on. Instead of having to connect your printer to your computer using cable cord, you can transmit the necessary information via a short range radio frequency.

The noisy printer can be located another room and an ugly printer can be stuffed into a wardrobe. Other examples of situations when Bluetooth technology can come in handy is when you want your cell phone to work with your hands free headset in the car or when you have decided to use a cordless keyboard and mouse instead of filling your desk with unsightly cable cord.

The Bluetooth specification was developed by Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications equipment manufacturer. This world famous telecommunications company was actually founded in 1876 as a telegraph equipment repair shop. The Bluetooth specification has today been formalized by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). SIG is a privately held trade association that has been supervising the development of Bluetooth standards and simultaneously controlled the licensing of Bluetooth technologies and trademarks since 1999.

So, what the difference between Bluetooth and other forms of wireless communication like Wi-Fi? Bluetooth is well suited for situations when two or more gadgets are located in close proximity with each other and the transmitted information does not require a high bandwidth, such as when you transfer sound signals from your cell phone to your headset in the car. Wi-Fi on the other hand will provide a stronger connection that enables a higher bandwidth. It is great for setting up a computer network, but the power consumption is really high compared to Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is especially popular in networks that must be accessible from remote locations. Wi-Fi will also make it possible to use superior security solutions which can be important if you plan to transmit sensitive data over the connection.


Bluetooth technology is also used for a form a wireless dating known as Bluedating. Just as with most forms of ordinary dating services, you begin by providing details about your self and set up certain criteria for your ideal partner. What sets Bluedating apart from other forms of dating is that it requires all users to have a mobile phone equipped with Bluetooth technology. When you come near another subscriber, e.g. in a department store or in a pub, your phones will start exchanging details. If you fit each others criteria, your phones will alert you, and you can choose to locate each other by sending text messages directly via Bluetooth.
Last but not least, it is finally time for that 10th century king of Denmark to enter this article about modern technology. As it turns out, the name Bluetooth is actually derived from King Harald Blåtand who ruled Denmark from 958 to 986 A.D. He was also King of Norway for a few years around 970. According to the developers of Bluetooth, they choose the name since Harald Blåtand was a skilled diplomat who managed to get warring parties to successfully negotiate with each other.


Since the Bluetooth technology makes it possible for different types of electronic appliances to talk to each other, the name Blåtand felt appropriate. When translated into English, the name Blåtand became Bluetooth. The Bluetooth logo is based on the letters H and B written in Scandinavian runes.