Do You Remember When Bluetooth Came Out?
Intro
For the last post, I choose to profile and critique a historical ubicomp system. This system has been so revolutionary that I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t using it. This system is Bluetooth Technology which was originally developed in 1994 by Dr. Jaap Haartsen. Bluetooth was developed to provide short-range wireless communication between mobile devices and computers to transmit data or audio over a distance. Bluetooth allowed devices to maintain a secure connection without the use of cables. This system uses the 2.4Ghz which is mostly found in house phones or WiFi Routers to create about a 33-foot radius around the device called a personal area network or PAN. Within the PAN, it can hold around two to eight devices and this allows for things like your printer and pc to connect so you print without being in the same room. The original goal of Bluetooth was to simply operate mobile devices or computers without having cables but it evolved into something much bigger.
What Problem Did It Solve?
The problem before Bluetooth came along was that connecting all the devices within a home or office would require too many cables or the use of dongles. This decreases the overall usability of all the devices because whenever you want to use two of them simultaneously you have to find the cable and connect them and it can only work while connected. A real-world example of this is the older speaker or stereo systems that you had to plug in your iPod or Mp3 player to use it. This made it hard to still use the mobile device and listen to music at the same time without being right next to the speaker. Bluetooth can play and control your music, and still have the portability for your mobile device allowing it to work without even being in the same room.
Was It Successful?
I think the answer to whether Bluetooth was successful or not is pretty obvious. Bluetooth has evolved over the years with the latest version being Bluetooth 5.3 coming out in 2021. Each version has increased either its data speeds, range, or security. It has also become the standard for mobile wireless devices as it is low energy, low cost, and security. The only downside to Bluetooth is the range and the traditional initial frustration of trying to pair devices together. Although the range of Bluetooth has increased with Bluetooth 5.0 it can still be interfered with by things like walls, floors, and certain metals making the radius smaller. Pairing devices seems easy but can be difficult depending on the device with an example being the process of connecting a device to your tablet is different from connecting a device to your car.
Where Is Bluetooth Now?
The simple answer to that question is obvious as we see it everywhere. Bluetooth like any other successful ubicomp system has woven its way into our daily lives and we forget we even use it as often as we do. Devices like your Alexa, AirPods, speaker, and AppleWatch, all use Bluetooth. Most phones have at least 2–3 devices connected to them via Bluetooth at all times within their home or office. Bluetooth has become an essential technology in the advancement of smart environments, ambient intelligence, and overall improvement of a network or system.
