Bluetooth computer software can be divided into three categories: software for device interaction, data transfer software, and software for sending and receiving messages. The most common type is for device interaction, allowing virtual connections between devices. Data transfer software can schedule downloads and access remote hard drives, but has security issues. The third type turns a computer into a message relay station, extending device reach and acting as an advertising medium. Bluetooth has limited range and bandwidth, limiting the development of long-range devices.
There are three broad categories of Bluetooth® computer software. The first and most popular is software that allows a computer to interact with another computer or device that also has a Bluetooth® connection. The second type is data transfer software that can handle the exchange of information between two devices. The latest type of Bluetooth® computer software can be used to send and receive messages to and from Bluetooth® enabled devices. While Bluetooth® is an effective and simple form of wireless networking, it uses very little power and bandwidth, so the effective range of most devices is only about 32 feet (about 10 meters), limiting the development of more industrial long-range devices software applications.
The most commonly used type of Bluetooth® computer software is designed to provide an interface between your computer and another Bluetooth® device. This can be anything from a printer to a cell phone. The main purpose is to provide a virtual connection that acts as if the computer is connected to the device with a cable. This allowed network keyboards, mice, printers, and even routers to sit independently of the computer or laptop and still function as if they were networked. The on-demand nature of a Bluetooth® connection also means that no internet or other bandwidth is used to maintain an unused connection.
Another type of Bluetooth® computer software is used to manage the transfer of files between two systems. This software can schedule downloads or even provide access to a remote hard drive if configured correctly. This can make it easier to back up and move data between systems, but it has a security issue. The Bluetooth® security key often used to establish a connection is limited in how it is generated, so it can be easier to hack than other standard network security protocols.
A third type of Bluetooth® computer software turns your computer into a message relay station. This means that the computer is open to receiving messages from Bluetooth® devices in transit and can also be configured to send messages to nearby discovered devices. In addition to acting as a real relay to extend the reach of a device, it can also be used as an advertising medium. When a Bluetooth®-enabled device passes your computer, which may be set inconspicuously in a display window, the computer software can transmit a message to the device with information about the products for sale or the store itself.
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