SKYCROSS INTRODUCES COMBO ANTENNA FOR WIFI AND BLUETOOTH

SkyCross has introduced a combination antenna that can handle Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11b/g/n. Called iMAT, the antenna allows you to use both Bluetooth and WiFi at the same time because of its ability to isolate the signals.

Netbooks are small devices that do not have a lot of room inside to accommodate multiple cards necessary for WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G modules. While many laptops come with all the three, manufacturers are sometimes forced to sacrifice one or two to save space. That is why chip makers like Atheros have started combining the functionality of multiple wireless dongles onto a single chip. While this is a good idea it still requires users to carry separate antennas for WiFi and Bluetooth. The SkyCross iMAT should be able to solve this problem. But still this is not an all-in-one solution as it doesn’t support 3G modules.

MOTOROLA HT820 BLUETOOTH STEREO HEADSET

The Motorola HT820 Bluetooth Stereo Headset promises to free you from a tangled wired workplace. It lets you do everything wirelessly – almost everything.

The HT820 Bluetooth headset has very ordinary looks, but some great features. The device has no wires coming out of it. The drivers have the big Motorola M emblazoned on them. The multi-media controls sit on top of either driver. The ear pieces are really big so you can’t go unnoticed in a crowd while wearing this headset. Other features include a 2.5 mm headphone jack into which you can put the supplied audio cable.

So what is the big deal?
The majority of Bluetooth headsets on the market are only capable of streaming phone calls, but this device from Motorola offers a lot more functionality. With an additional adapter (PC850) this device can stream music from your computer. It will also manage your calls for you. If a phone call comes while you are listening to the music, the HT820 will pause the music so you can attend the call.

Pros:
Nice deign
Easy to set up
Reasonably good audio quality

Cons:
Pricey
Bulky

FIX FOR BLUETOOTH AND HARD DRIVE NOISE ISSUE IN MACBOOK PRO

Apple has released two firmware updates which will fix the Bluetooth and hard drive noise issue in MacBook Pro.

The Bluetooth Firmware Update 2.0.1 is meant to improve overall compatibility with Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse and Apple Wireless Keyboard. It also includes some bug fixes. This update is available for all Apple computers with Broadcom Bluetooth chipsets, which includes MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs.

The Hard Drive Firmware Update 2.0 will finally solve the widely reported noise issue associated with 7200RPM hard drives. As this issue only affects the MacBook Pros released in 2009, it is available for only those Macs.

RAZER UNLEASHES OROCHI BLUETOOTH MOUSE FOR NOTEBOOK GAMING

Razer has unveiled its high-end Bluetooth laser mouse for notebook gamers. Orochi, as it is called, is the world’s first gaming mouse with a 4000 dpi laser sensor. It supports both wired and wireless functionality.

Orochi has an ambidextrous design. The mouse has seven programmable buttons. The custom functions of each one of these buttons is saved to the built-in memory of the mouse. It is compatible with Bluetooth 2.0 standard. It should last 1-3 months with two AA batteries.

Features
Lightweight with three detachable feet
There is a battery life indicator
Built-in memory called Razer Synapse
7 fully programmable buttons

Pricing & Availability:
The Razer Orochi will be retailed for $79.99. It will be available in the US by mid-August.

HP BLUETOOTH LASER MOBILE MOUSE – HDX SERIES

HP has launched a sleek and stylish wireless computer mouse featuring wireless connectivity via Bluetooth technology. With its look and name the HP Bluetooth Laser Mouse has been probably released to match its high end Pavilion HDX entertainment notebook. This wireless mouse uses laser technology for precise tracking and can be used on any surface, well actually it claims that it can work on more surfaces than an optical mouse. You also have an option to switch between 800 and 1600 dpi using its adjustable DPI functionality to achieve optimum performance.

The HP Bluetooth Laser mouse is powered by two AA batteries and can save energy with the standby and sleep mode features. It works with Windows XP and Vista operating systems but you need to install the included software first. You also have an option to personalize your HP mouse with two different colors and comes with a travel pouch. The HP Bluetooth Laser Mobile Mouse is available at the online HP store for $47.99 after rebate.

BLUETOOTH 2.2 COMING MID 2009

Bluetooth has been around for a while and it has gained momentum in recent years especially considering the fact that most cellphones support version 1.0 or 2.0. Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) the next version of Bluetooth (2.2) will be released in mid 2009 and promises faster transfer between devices.

Most notably is that the new Bluetooth standard will work with WLAN or USB and will be called Bluetooth 10x and 100x respectivly. In common terms this means that you will be able to print documents wirelessly from your Blackberry, and wireless video streaming to name a few. The first version will be 10x and for it to work on cell phones it will require that your cell phone carries Wi-Fi.

My only concern is if such new improvments in Bluetooth will cause it to become just as vulnerable as Wi-Fi to hackers and malicious attacks?

BLUETOOTH 2.2 RUMORS PUT TO REST, REAL SPECS LEAK OUT

We're not the only ones who were duped by those nasty rumors about Bluetooth's 2.2 specs. According to the guys at Bluetooth headquarters they do not know who CNET spoke with and have confirmed that there is no such specification in the works.

They have said that coming next summer we wills ee the next version of Bluetooth which promises faster data connections and overall better performance. So far Executive Director Mike Foley has not released any thing else regarding specs but who knows maybe that Bluetooth to Wi-Fi business we heard about is really in the works and as usual they don't want us to know about it.

MAC PRESENTER VIA BLUETOOTH – FIRST EVER FROM TARGUS

The 1st Mac-specific presenter on the marketplace, Targus Bluetooth Presenter for Mac comprises several features intended to perk up the presentation familiarity. The instinctive button configuration presents simplicity of use and foils unintentional button presses, with primary awarding controls such as preceding slide, subsequent slide and laser pointer effortlessly specialized from tactile cues; secondary utilities like blank screen and slide show are dug in and out of the way. Versatile functionality switches effortlessly from Presentation form to Cursor form for exercise like a mouse, with touch scroll technology conveying smooth, graceful navigation through extended spreadsheets, PDF manuscripts and other anticipated applications.

Like-minded with both Keynote and PowerPoint, the Bluetooth presenter for Mac comprises remote control for tuning of volume and other purposes plus 2 programmable push buttons that provide users speedy access to applications or functions of their option. In addition, the Bluetooth Presenter for Mac incorporates a laser pointer, permitting users to call awareness to important information within their presentation. Bluetooth technology distributes wireless control of presentations from a remoteness of up to 33 feet and the Presenters comfort-conscious design diminishes strain owing to the ergonomic assignment of its buttons. The Bluetooth Presenter for Mac gauges 5.1x1.65x.98 weighs 3.7 oz and encompasses an MSRP of $79.99.

BLUETOOTH HEADSET THE JAYBIRD JB-200

One of our favorite pairs of Bluetooth earphones is the Osmotic, but even at the present they're priced able-bodied above £100. The Jaybird JB-200s timer in at £79 and they should labor with several Bluetooth enabled audio gadget, counting mobile phones, MP3 players and notebooks. We determined to obtain the Jaybirds for an assessment flight. These earpieces press-stud over the ear like a lot of Bluetooth headsets, it’s a lot more protected fit than the vaguely strangely intended eighty eights, and we'd dispute they're more than protected for utilize in the gym. Plus, the supple plastic intend should outfit most ear 'designs'. If you sport glasses though, you'll need to tolerate their arms combating over ear space with the Jaybird earpieces.

Bluetooth 2.0 can distribute appealing decent jingle eminence, and the JB-200s occupy the A2DP technology to give you headphones stereo presentation. They can also be utilized as a distinctive hands-free set of contacts with a mobile phone, notwithstanding through just the left earpiece, and they engage in recreation nicely with notebook that offer in built Bluetooth, such as Samsung's YP-P2. The Jaybird JB-200s are agreeable and reasonably priced for Bluetooth usage, if you encompass an MP3 player or A2DP enabled mobile phone built in. They're also enormous for use in the gym or jogging down the Thames.

WIRE FREE MOUSE – LENOVO’S INNOVATIVE BLUETOOTH REPLY

The new-fangled ThinkPad Bluetooth Laser tracking unit Mouse is Lenovo's response to the transportable mouse all and sundry has required going along with their novel ThinkPad laptops. This innovative mouse was fashioned in the very own ThinkPad image, Screaming great presentation in a hard-wearing rubberized paint skin.

Bluetooth recital spiked out of the mouse was exceptional, with only a small number of quirks from its power management plot. During standard usage, the mouse would go to snooze after nearly 10 seconds almost, and necessitate a waggle and a split second to reclaim before it would progress fluidly transversely over the screen. This arrangement is in place to give the mouse rated battery power pack life of 3 months.

The IBM caretaker Lenovo ThinkPad Bluetooth Laser Mouse is a grand attendant for any ThinkPad laptop and for the similar price tag of $50 in the retail market around, it is very difficult to prefer other mice over the Lenovo unit. The robustness is 2nd to none, the utility and sense are grand, and the sense of styling is overwhelming for the business gadget aficionados. For the kind of money in talk, I taunt you to discover a trendier looking wireless mouse, and even if you still scrape to spot one, Lenovo is surely going to take a smack hit.

TARGUS LAUNCHES A BLUETOOTH MOUSE

Targus is recognized for manufacturing a broad range of reasonably priced laptop cases and trimmings, but I've never found their mouse to be tremendously striking. When I saw a press liberate for their novel Bluetooth travel mouse I appreciated this mouse has a loads of latent. First, by using Bluetooth connectivity the mouse is proficient to shun the need for a USB recipient which in turn hoards a prized USB port on your laptop.

Technical Specs
• Color options are Black/Blue
• Overall exterior dimensions are 4.1" x 2.1" x 1.4"
• System configurations required as Windows 2000, XP, Vista or MAC OS X (10.4 or even higher)
• Warranty offer is Limited to just One Year Warranty
• Overall Weight 2.04 oz
• Box packing includes: Mouse, rechargeable power packs, USB power charger cable, and travel purse

Pros
• Comfy, dense shape and ambidextrous blueprint
• Decent Bluetooth connectivity
• Long durable rechargeable batteries that can be recharged through an USB
• Rubberized surface experiences is really good
• Low price

Cons
• Battery saving utility grounds lag after quite a few minutes of non use.
• Minuscule obscured "connect" switch needs to be easier to operate.
• Devoted frontward/back switches would have been easier for web browsing.

NETWORKING VIA BLUETOOTH IN LAPTOPS

Bluetooth is a form of automatic wireless connection that enables a laptop or other Bluetooth enabled devices to communicate with other computers, devices like mobile phones, digital cameras or laptops within that particular personal area network.
Founded in 1998, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group oversees the research and development of Bluetooth. The device is named after Herald Bluetooth, king of Denmark in the late 900s.

Some quick facts on Bluetooth:

• The range of Bluetooth is between one to hundred metres.

• Bluetooth can connect up to eight devices simultaneously. Imagine your laptop to be connected to your home desktop, your mobile phone, the home telephone, your printer and even your digital camera. This is networking.

• A Bluetooth dongle can be externally connected to your laptop through a USB port to enable it to connect to a Bluetooth enabled network.

• The Operating System of your laptop should also support Bluetooth. Otherwise you may require installing a Bluetooth drive.

• If your laptop is already Bluetooth enabled then all you need to do is press the Bluetooth button and your laptop will find out compatible devices within the range.

How does Bluetooth work?

Bluetooth networking uses radio waves to transmit data. It operates in a specific radio wave frequency that is set aside by international agreement for scientific, medical and industrial use. The technique used by Bluetooth to transmit data is called spread spectrum frequency hopping wherein it randomly selects 79 individual frequencies within the designated range to transmit.

So when a Bluetooth enabled laptop comes within the range of another Bluetooth enabled device, the two automatically communicate to establish a personal area network and then hop the frequencies in unison to stay connected.

Is Bluetooth connectivity secure enough?

Security is a big concern for any networking setup that is wireless. Bluetooth is thus very much susceptible to spying and unauthorised access. Generally security is ensured in both device level and service level. You can change your laptop settings in such a way that any Bluetooth enabled device that is not in your ‘trusted devices’ group would require authorisation and permission before transferring data.

However with each technological development come the associated pitfalls. Different companies are now engaging themselves on how to make Bluetooth networking more secure. The latest Bluetooth specification 2.1 offers an array of features to reduce the security concerns.

The most important security measure that you can take is to switch-on the Bluetooth of your laptop only when you need to transfer or receive data.



When do you need Bluetooth networking?

If you want to have networking in your laptop predominantly for the purpose of transferring or receiving data on a small scale and within a small personal area network, then you can go for a laptop using networking via Bluetooth. For example staying connected to your home network when you are at home or to the study group when you are in the college.

However if you want to stay connected to a bigger network, e.g. your office and require high-speed transfer of data, then only a Bluetooth will not fulfil your networking needs.

Latest Bluetooth enabled laptops:

These days most laptops and notebooks are Bluetooth enabled. The SZ series from Sony, Inspiron from Dell, MacBooks from Apple, Aspire series from Acer all come with Bluetooth 2.0 and above specification.