Most of us are familiar with the term "Bluetooth". This wireless technology is commonly used in various devices, from headphones to car audio systems and TV remotes. However, have you ever wondered how exactly it works, or why it's called "Bluetooth"? The technology has become so ubiquitous that we might take it for granted, but it has revolutionized the way we connect and communicate with our devices. In this article, we will delve deeper into the fascinating history and workings of Bluetooth technology.
What is Bluetooth and how does it work
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to transfer data over short distances without the need for wires. It operates on a 2.4 GHz frequency band and can transmit data up to 30 feet. You may be wondering why it uses the 2.4 GHz spectrum and no other bandwidths. The reason is that this spectrum is readily available worldwide and provides a good balance between range and output. Additionally, it has many channels that can be easily used for frequency hopping, which involves frequently switching carrier frequencies during radio transmission to reduce interference.
Bluetooth technology commonly used in smartphones, Laptops and many wearables such as smartwatches.
Origin of the name "Bluetooth"
Did you know that the name Bluetooth comes from King Harald Gormsson? He was famous for uniting Denmark and Norway, and he had a dead tooth that appeared blue. The nickname Bluetooth was given to him because of this. The technology that connects devices and people was named after him, and it's called Bluetooth technology. It might seem funny, but it's true. This is how the word Bluetooth and the technology got their names.
Does Bluetooth work underwater?
A few days ago, I wrote about the best waterproof headphones for showers and swimming. While discussing the best swimming headphones, I pointed out that Bluetooth headphones cannot be used for swimming.
Bluetooth technology does not work underwater, and this is a fact that no marketing tactics can change. To understand why Bluetooth doesn't work underwater, we need to consider the physics of the situation. Bluetooth works on a 2.4 GHz radio frequency and can connect devices up to a distance of 10 meters or 30 feet via the air medium. However, underwater, the denser water molecules create more resistance, which prevents the Bluetooth radio frequency from transferring.
Therefore, Bluetooth stops working as soon as you go underwater. In short, you cannot use Bluetooth headphones for listening to music while swimming, so it is pointless to talk about the best Bluetooth headphones or earbuds for swimming. The next time someone asks if Bluetooth technology works underwater, the answer is no, it does not.
How do Bluetooth earbuds work?
True wireless earbuds have no wires connecting the left and right earbuds. This raises the question of how both earbuds can receive signals and play music. The answer is simple. Only one earbud connects to the source device, such as a phone. In my Tozo T10 earbuds, for example, the right earbud connects to the phone and sends the same signal to the left earbud, allowing both to play music.
How does Bluetooth pairing work?
Bluetooth pairing is a process of establishing a secure wireless connection between two devices. During the pairing process, both the devices exchange unique codes to remember each other for future connections. Once a successful pairing is done, the devices need not pair again unless they are reset or the pairing information is deleted. This ensures that only authorized devices can connect with your device and prevents any unauthorized access.
Different Bluetooth Versions
The history of Bluetooth technology is quite interesting. The latest version, called Bluetooth 5.3, was developed in 2021. Prior to that, we had Bluetooth 5.1 and 5.2, which were released in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Before those versions, we had Bluetooth 4, with sub-versions like 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2. Although Bluetooth 5 can connect with Bluetooth 4, there are some notable differences between them.
For example, Bluetooth 5 boasts a data transfer speed that is twice as fast as Bluetooth 4, a longer range, and lower power consumption. According to sources, Bluetooth version 5.4 may be released in the near future, but no specific date has been confirmed yet.
Conclusion
It's hard to imagine a world without Bluetooth technology. Whether it's connecting your Bluetooth-enabled phone or wireless mouse and keyboard to your desktop or laptop, Bluetooth has a variety of uses. It's good to know that you can even use Bluetooth in airplane mode, allowing you to use it on a flight. The development and journey of Bluetooth technology is impressive and interesting to note.