Bluetooth and Your PC – What You Need to Know

Are you looking for a way to connect your computer to other computers in your home wirelessly? What about connecting your computer to your cell phone or a wireless input device? If these are things you would like to do with your computer, then you need to know a little bit more about using Bluetooth for PC applications. With a Bluetooth PC adapter, your computer can wirelessly connect to many devices that are near it. This may require an addition of a few pieces of hardware, or your computer may already be Bluetooth compatible. If you are considering adding Bluetooth technology to your computer, this is what you need to know.

What Is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows both fixed and mobile devices to communicate with one another and transmit data when they are located within a short distance of one another. Bluetooth compatible devices actually create wireless personal area networks that allow this communication to occur. Cell phones, laptops, PCs, printers, digital cameras, video game consoles and their controllers, and GPS receivers can all use Bluetooth to communicate.

One common use of Bluetooth technology is the communication between a mobile phone and a wireless headset. However, it can be used with computers as well. The only requirement is that there is a close proximity between the two devices that are going to connect and that they can connect in a low-bandwidth situation.

Preparing Your Computer for Bluetooth

If you have a device that you wish to connect to your computer using Bluetooth, you will first need to make sure that your computer is Bluetooth ready. As Bluetooth for PC is becoming more and more popular, more and more PCs are coming with a Bluetooth PC card already installed. If this is the case, you should be able to connect to your device relatively easily.

If you do not have a Bluetooth PC card in your computer, you will need to get your hands on a Bluetooth PC adapter. A Bluetooth PC adaptor is a device known as a dongle. This is a small device with a USB connector on one end. You simply plug it into a USB port on your computer and you will be ready for Bluetooth connection.

Connecting Your Computer to Bluetooth

While it should be as simple as plugging in a Bluetooth PC adapter to your computer and starting to run the software, creating the Bluetooth connection can sometimes be difficult. If you are trying to connect to your phone, you will need to tell the computer what phone you have and which services you are going to be using. When you click on the Bluetooth icon or install the adapter, you should be led to a screen that asks for this information. Enter the information, and then go to the settings menu on your phone. You should see an option to “pair” or “find me.” When you select this on your phone, it should show up on your PC. Choose a numeric code and pair the two devices. You will then have a connection between your phone and your computer.

Other devices, like a Bluetooth PC headset, will come with instructions for connecting them to your computer. Follow the directions carefully, and you will soon be working wirelessly with your PC and phone accessories. This will give you freedom to move, at least within the small area where Bluetooth will work.

How Does Bluetooth Help You?

So why would you want to connect your computer to your cell phone? What benefit does this technology have for you? If you use your computer and your phone together on a regular basis, you may be able to benefit from the Bluetooth PC dialer. The Bluetooth PC dialer is a software program that allows you to actually dial your phone from your computer.

For instance, if you have your contact’s phone number stored in your Outlook Express program, you can click on the number or the person’s name and it will dial your phone for you. You no longer have to search through your phone, trying to remember how you saved that person’s name, in order to find the phone number. If you are using a Bluetooth PC headset, you may not even need to pick up your phone. The computer will dial the phone, which will then submit the phone call to your headset, allowing you to make the phone call nearly hands-free. All you have to do is click your mouse and you can make the call!

This application is very helpful to small business owners. Bluetooth for PC can free your hands so you can take notes on your phone call, type up your interview while you talk, or simply work on something else while you are chatting with a friend. Whatever you use it for, your Bluetooth PC card or Bluetooth PC adapter will soon become an invaluable addition to your computer, either at home or at work.