apple guava
New member
As title thanks. Ok they use different frequencies. What else? What's the big deal of making Bluetooth a separate 'technology' from just conventional WiFi?
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How is WiFi different to Bluetooth?
- Thread starter apple guava
- Start date
shammi sam
New member
bluetooth and WiFi® are both wireless technologies that use radio frequency (RF) waves to create networks, but they’re used for fundamentally different purposes. Bluetooth’s main purpose is to temporarily link an individual’s personal devices together over short distances, while WiFi’s purpose is to link multiple computers together over longer distances.
Although Bluetooth and WiFi both create networks, Bluetooth creates a Personal Area Network (PAN) by generating low frequency radio waves that all Bluetooth-enabled devices in the immediate area can join to be interoperable. You might think of this as a “shroud” surrounding an individual user. A Bluetooth headset, for example, allows hands-free cell phone use for driving or working. Other types of personal devices can swap files, synchronize data and even share access to the Internet through an Internet-enabled laptop, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or iPod®.
A Bluetooth network can also be used to send files from your laptop to your desktop, or from your laptop to your printer. If a machine does not come with Bluetooth capability built-in, adapters are available. Most adapters make use of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, but other types of adapters are also available.
WiFi also uses radio frequency (RF) waves, but its protocols are designed to connect multiple computers. In the case of a business, WiFi allows many computers to communicate with each other without stringing cable between them, saving considerable money and time in the installation process. Computers operating over the WiFi LAN can share databases, files, programs and resources including printers, scanners and fax machines. The computers might also share Internet access, though this isn’t a requirement of a LAN.
A home WiFi network is almost always setup to share Internet access among all computers in the household, while it may or may not be configured to share files and resources. Between Bluetooth and WiFi, Bluetooth is much easier to use for swapping files between computers at home, and even for sending files to a nearby printer. There is virtually no setup involved in establishing a Bluetooth network, while a LAN requires some configuration and know-how to allow sharing of files and resources.
Since Bluetooth works with battery operated devices, it most commonly uses a low-powered Class 2 radio to broadcast the RF network, generating a weak signal that doesn’t extend effectively beyond 30 feet (~10 meters) or so. Class 1 Bluetooth can reach 10x further, geared towards connecting home devices powered by electricity. WiFi also comes in different flavors and architectures, currently meeting or exceeding the 300-foot (~100m) range.
Bluetooth and WiFi each follow specific protocols and standards that make it easy for manufacturers to design and market Bluetooth and WiFi products that will be interoperable with other brands and products that support the same standards. For example, as of winter 2008 the current Bluetooth standard is 2.0 and the newest available WiFi standard is 802.11n, faster than the previous standard, 802.11g. When shopping for network-capable devices, be sure they support the desired standard and version.
Another way that Bluetooth and WiFi differ is that WiFi is supported by modems and routers, while a near-infinite range of products might support Bluetooth. Personal devices and home entertainment products are forever evolving, making interoperability a highly desired feature. Perhaps the biggest commonality between Bluetooth and WiFi is that both technologies are incredibly useful and widespread; in homes, businesses, government, and in virtually every aspect of life.
Although Bluetooth and WiFi both create networks, Bluetooth creates a Personal Area Network (PAN) by generating low frequency radio waves that all Bluetooth-enabled devices in the immediate area can join to be interoperable. You might think of this as a “shroud” surrounding an individual user. A Bluetooth headset, for example, allows hands-free cell phone use for driving or working. Other types of personal devices can swap files, synchronize data and even share access to the Internet through an Internet-enabled laptop, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or iPod®.
A Bluetooth network can also be used to send files from your laptop to your desktop, or from your laptop to your printer. If a machine does not come with Bluetooth capability built-in, adapters are available. Most adapters make use of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, but other types of adapters are also available.
WiFi also uses radio frequency (RF) waves, but its protocols are designed to connect multiple computers. In the case of a business, WiFi allows many computers to communicate with each other without stringing cable between them, saving considerable money and time in the installation process. Computers operating over the WiFi LAN can share databases, files, programs and resources including printers, scanners and fax machines. The computers might also share Internet access, though this isn’t a requirement of a LAN.
A home WiFi network is almost always setup to share Internet access among all computers in the household, while it may or may not be configured to share files and resources. Between Bluetooth and WiFi, Bluetooth is much easier to use for swapping files between computers at home, and even for sending files to a nearby printer. There is virtually no setup involved in establishing a Bluetooth network, while a LAN requires some configuration and know-how to allow sharing of files and resources.
Since Bluetooth works with battery operated devices, it most commonly uses a low-powered Class 2 radio to broadcast the RF network, generating a weak signal that doesn’t extend effectively beyond 30 feet (~10 meters) or so. Class 1 Bluetooth can reach 10x further, geared towards connecting home devices powered by electricity. WiFi also comes in different flavors and architectures, currently meeting or exceeding the 300-foot (~100m) range.
Bluetooth and WiFi each follow specific protocols and standards that make it easy for manufacturers to design and market Bluetooth and WiFi products that will be interoperable with other brands and products that support the same standards. For example, as of winter 2008 the current Bluetooth standard is 2.0 and the newest available WiFi standard is 802.11n, faster than the previous standard, 802.11g. When shopping for network-capable devices, be sure they support the desired standard and version.
Another way that Bluetooth and WiFi differ is that WiFi is supported by modems and routers, while a near-infinite range of products might support Bluetooth. Personal devices and home entertainment products are forever evolving, making interoperability a highly desired feature. Perhaps the biggest commonality between Bluetooth and WiFi is that both technologies are incredibly useful and widespread; in homes, businesses, government, and in virtually every aspect of life.
M
munchmonster123
Guest
Wifi is to connect to computers, bluetooth is connect to any devices, eg phone to phone, fridge to toaster, whatever