Well since we got off subject Blue Tooth is just a particular radio band use standard that is being promoted by Bluetooth SIG. And it's true that Macs have been Blue tooth enabled out of the box for a while they only were one of the minor partners in its development as a standard.
Here is a compilation of the FAQ's from Bluetooth SIG's site.
What is the Bluetooth SIG?
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a trade association comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, and network industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG promoters include 3Com, Agere, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and hundreds of Associate and Adopter member companies.
Does the Bluetooth SIG have employees?
While Bluetooth SIG, Inc. has several employees including a General Manager; the Bluetooth SIG is primarily a volunteer organization run by employees from the member companies. They support a number of working groups that focus on specific areas, such as engineering, qualification and marketing. Today these same companies are also working to build and qualify products as members of the Group. Interoperability is maintained by strict qualification procedures and regular testing of products with each other at "Unplugfest" events.
Can anyone join? Are there restrictions/requirements? What are they?
Any incorporated company willing to sign the Bluetooth SIG Membership Agreement can join as an Adopter company. Membership is free when joining as an Adopter. Additionally, a company can upgrade their membership for a nominal fee that provides additional benefits including early access to specifications and as well as a venue for their input during development of the Bluetooth wireless specification. You can join the Bluetooth SIG by becoming a member.
What are the advantages of joining the Bluetooth SIG?
Member companies qualify for a royalty-free license to build products based on Bluetooth wireless technology, as well as access to the Bluetooth specification and intensive training seminars such as the Bluetooth Developer Conferences (conference fee required). Additionally, the Bluetooth SIG provides a forum for vendor interaction and co-development opportunities.
What is the mission of the Bluetooth SIG?
Early in 2001, the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors adopted the following mission statement for the association:
"To develop, publish and promote the preferred short-range wireless specification for connecting mobile products, and to administer a qualification program that fosters interoperability for a positive user experience.
What are some of the technical details of the Bluetooth wireless specification?
The Bluetooth wireless specification defines a low-power, low-cost technology that provides a standardized platform for eliminating cables between mobile devices and facilitating connections between products.
Unlike many other wireless standards, the Bluetooth wireless specification includes both link layer and application layer definitions for product developers. Radios that comply with the Bluetooth wireless specification operate in the unlicensed, 2.4 GHz radio spectrum ensuring communication compatibility worldwide. These radios use a spread spectrum, frequency hopping, full-duplex signal at up to 1600 hops/sec. The signal hops among 79 frequencies at 1 MHz intervals to give a high degree of interference immunity.
While point-to-point connections are supported, the specification allows up to seven simultaneous connections to be established and maintained by a single radio.
What is the latest version of the Bluetooth specification?
In early 2001, the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors adopted the current version of the Bluetooth specification. Version 1.1 is the third generation of the specification. The Bluetooth specification process allows member companies to enhance and extend the technology into new usage models and markets. This is a continuing effort supported by our Promoter and Associate members. These new enhancements are typically released as a Profile. In 2001 we have released several new profiles for printing, imaging, automotive and networking markets.
Where can I find the Bluetooth specification?
The Bluetooth specification can be downloaded at
http://www.bluetooth.com/dev/specifications.asp. If you plan to develop and sell products that incorporate the specification you must sign the Bluetooth Adopter Agreement.
How is the Bluetooth technology licensed? Are there patents or licenses involved? Is this technology royalty-free?
While there are many patents on different parts of the technology, the Bluetooth wireless specification plans to remain a royalty-free specification. As a member of the Bluetooth SIG, you will need to execute several agreements to enjoy these benefits.
Here is a compilation of the FAQ's from Bluetooth SIG's site.
What is the Bluetooth SIG?
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a trade association comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, and network industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG promoters include 3Com, Agere, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and hundreds of Associate and Adopter member companies.
Does the Bluetooth SIG have employees?
While Bluetooth SIG, Inc. has several employees including a General Manager; the Bluetooth SIG is primarily a volunteer organization run by employees from the member companies. They support a number of working groups that focus on specific areas, such as engineering, qualification and marketing. Today these same companies are also working to build and qualify products as members of the Group. Interoperability is maintained by strict qualification procedures and regular testing of products with each other at "Unplugfest" events.
Can anyone join? Are there restrictions/requirements? What are they?
Any incorporated company willing to sign the Bluetooth SIG Membership Agreement can join as an Adopter company. Membership is free when joining as an Adopter. Additionally, a company can upgrade their membership for a nominal fee that provides additional benefits including early access to specifications and as well as a venue for their input during development of the Bluetooth wireless specification. You can join the Bluetooth SIG by becoming a member.
What are the advantages of joining the Bluetooth SIG?
Member companies qualify for a royalty-free license to build products based on Bluetooth wireless technology, as well as access to the Bluetooth specification and intensive training seminars such as the Bluetooth Developer Conferences (conference fee required). Additionally, the Bluetooth SIG provides a forum for vendor interaction and co-development opportunities.
What is the mission of the Bluetooth SIG?
Early in 2001, the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors adopted the following mission statement for the association:
"To develop, publish and promote the preferred short-range wireless specification for connecting mobile products, and to administer a qualification program that fosters interoperability for a positive user experience.
What are some of the technical details of the Bluetooth wireless specification?
The Bluetooth wireless specification defines a low-power, low-cost technology that provides a standardized platform for eliminating cables between mobile devices and facilitating connections between products.
Unlike many other wireless standards, the Bluetooth wireless specification includes both link layer and application layer definitions for product developers. Radios that comply with the Bluetooth wireless specification operate in the unlicensed, 2.4 GHz radio spectrum ensuring communication compatibility worldwide. These radios use a spread spectrum, frequency hopping, full-duplex signal at up to 1600 hops/sec. The signal hops among 79 frequencies at 1 MHz intervals to give a high degree of interference immunity.
While point-to-point connections are supported, the specification allows up to seven simultaneous connections to be established and maintained by a single radio.
What is the latest version of the Bluetooth specification?
In early 2001, the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors adopted the current version of the Bluetooth specification. Version 1.1 is the third generation of the specification. The Bluetooth specification process allows member companies to enhance and extend the technology into new usage models and markets. This is a continuing effort supported by our Promoter and Associate members. These new enhancements are typically released as a Profile. In 2001 we have released several new profiles for printing, imaging, automotive and networking markets.
Where can I find the Bluetooth specification?
The Bluetooth specification can be downloaded at
http://www.bluetooth.com/dev/specifications.asp. If you plan to develop and sell products that incorporate the specification you must sign the Bluetooth Adopter Agreement.
How is the Bluetooth technology licensed? Are there patents or licenses involved? Is this technology royalty-free?
While there are many patents on different parts of the technology, the Bluetooth wireless specification plans to remain a royalty-free specification. As a member of the Bluetooth SIG, you will need to execute several agreements to enjoy these benefits.
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