Bluetooth is the name of a short-range wireless network technology that is designed to let devices connect to each other without need for cables or a Wi-Fi network access point. The two main uses for Bluetooth are to connect peripheral devices such as keyboards or mice to a computer and to connect hand-held devices such as phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) to computers. Here are just a few of the many uses of Bluetooth:

• Wirelessly connecting a keyboard and mouse to a computer so that you don’t have to fuss with cables. This is marginally useful for desktop computers because it eliminates the need for cables. But it is even more useful for laptop computers, because it lets you use a keyboard and mouse simply by placing them next to the laptop.
  
  
• Synchronizing the address book in your cell phone with your computer’s address book, with no cables.
  
  
• Exchanging files between your Pocket PC or Palm PDA and your laptop or desktop computers.
  
  
• Using a cord-free headset with your cell phone.
  
  
• Connecting a Global Positioning System (GPS) device to a computer so that it can track your location. This is especially useful when used in your car with a laptop, Pocket PC, or Palm PDA.
  
  
• Swapping electronic business cards between handheld computers.

Many computers sold today - especially laptop computers and PDAs - come equipped with Bluetooth technology. If your computer does not already support Bluetooth, you can easily add Bluetooth support. Just purchase a USB Bluetooth adapter, which is a small device that plugs into any available USB port on your computer. After you plug it in, your computer is Bluetooth enabled and can connect to any other Bluetooth device that is in range. Many companies make Bluetooth USB adapters, and most look and work similarly

The original version of Windows XP did not have any support for Bluetooth. When Microsoft released Windows XP SP1 a few years later, it included limited Bluetooth support. But the latest incarnation of Windows XP, SP2, includes excellent built-in support for Bluetooth.

If your computer has Bluetooth, a special Bluetooth icon will appear in the System Tray (the panel at the right side of the taskbar). You can click this icon to bring up a menu with the following choices:

• Add a Bluetooth Device
  
  
• Show Bluetooth Devices
  
  
• Send a File
  
  
• Receive a File
  
  
• Join a Personal Area Network
  
  
• Open Bluetooth Settings
  
  
• Remove Bluetooth Icon

Installing a USB Bluetooth adapter is easy. All you have to do is install the software provided with the adapter and plug the adapter into a free USB port. Usually, you can start the installation process by inserting the CD that comes with the adapter into your CD drive. Then, the installation program automatically starts up. After the installation program starts, follow its steps, and plug the adapter in when the installation program instructs you to.

Be sure to follow the installation instructions that come with the adapter. In most cases, you should install the software that comes with the adapter before you plug the adapter in.

Installing a Bluetooth-enabled mouse or keyboard is easy. The only trick, ironically, is that you have to have a normal mouse or keyboard installed before you can install a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard. However, after you install the Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, you can unplug the normal mousec or keyboard.

The main trick to installing a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard is that you must first enable discovery on the mouse or keyboard. Most Bluetooth mice and keyboards have a button on the bottom to do this. After Bluetooth is enabled, you can install the mouse or keyboard by right-clicking the Bluetooth icon in the system and choosing the Add a Bluetooth Device command. Then, follow the wizard’s steps to install the mouse or keyboard.

By default, your computer remains hidden from other Bluetooth devices. If you want other Bluetooth devices to be able to recognize your computer, you need to enable a feature called discovery. Here are the steps:

1. Right-click the Bluetooth icon in the System Tray and select Open Bluetooth Settings from the shortcut menu.
   
   
2. In the Bluetooth Properties dialog box that appears, click the Options tab and then select the Turn Discovery On check box.
   
   
3. Select the Allow Bluetooth Devices to Connect to This Computer check box.
   
   
4. Select the Alert Me When a New Bluetooth Device Wants to Connect check box and in the end click OK.

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