your opinion.. the future of bluetooth.. worth $40?

[ehd]

changing the t42 56k modem to a bluetooth/56k modem do you guys think its worth the $40 upgrade? i'm not quite sure what the status on bluetooth is.. is it dying as a technology? is it kind of being replaced? i can't imagine what i'd really need it for... i know people sync their cell phones with it i guess. what else do u guys use it for? i like the nipple mouse on the thinkpad so dont need bluetooth mouse.. are there like bluetooth ipod sending hehe... how are bluetooth gps devices? what the heck is the range of gps.. those bluetooth headsets.. do they work on thinkpads? is the mic still built into the new t42s like the t21?... is bluetooth used to call out to an isp for wireless internet? i have no idea what people generally use the bluetooth for but if u guys think its great do u think its worth the extra 40? thanks for your time to respond and your opinions and stuff. -eddie

also i was curious.. is there something that makes portable devices into bluetooth... like lets say i plug in my digital caemra to this lil bluetooth signal thingy... bluetooth webcam... etc

[RonS]

Microsoft screwed up Bluetooth so bad that I doubt it will ever fully recover. Add to that cell phone companies selectively crippling their blutetooth phones (like Verizon).

It will probably linger around for a while. I'd put my money on wireless USB as a wireless interface of the future.

[eriqesque]

For $40 dollars I say go for it.
You can use it for a mouse if nothing else and I am sure you can find something else. Also it will add to the resale value if you ever intend on selling it later.

[wuy30]

I have found that the bluetooth tech is pretty useful. I use it for my keyboard and mouse, and both of my cell phones. The range is pretty good, I have given presentation in a large room where my NB is far away from me, and I can still use the mouse the control the slides. Bluetooth is one of those thing that you set it an forget it kind of thing.... don't really have to reset and connect. I am still looking for a better headphone via bluetooth, havn't found one that I like yet. just my .02

[gengar]

I've never been too fond of the fact that Bluetooth runs on the same frequency as the microwave in your kitchen.

[BillMorrow]

I've never been too fond of the fact that Bluetooth runs on the same frequency as the microwave in your kitchen.

if so, so what..
unless, of course, you plan to use BT while microwaving a thinkpad..

of course, some of us might have really leaky nuclear ovens..
or maybe they are inherently leaky of the RF..

only time will tell on BT but for now, it is useful if you intend to use it..
or have technological items that use it..

might be that wifi is better..

[ian]

I've never been too fond of the fact that Bluetooth runs on the same frequency as the microwave in your kitchen.

Why? What possible difference can it make? Microwaves at an intensity to boil water would run your mouse 25 miles away, and I can't quite see IBM installing such powerful equipment in a laptop.

[Kenn]

802.11b gets interference from the microwave as well. Annoying, but at least a microwave oven only runs at a minute at a time.

[ehd]

why do some of you guys use bluetooth keyboards?... i mean isn't the thinkpad keyboard fullsize? i can only imagine using the numpad but i mean numlock isnt too bad... also i've had my t21 for like 3 years without a mouse and have grown really fond of the nipple mouse on it =P but im surprised there hasnt been more innovation in bluetooth.... im curious as to why you stated that microsoft screwed it up? is it going to be all downhill from here, cause i think bluetooth pretty much seems useless and forty dollars isnt really pocket change.... but if they start adding more bluetooth stuff i'm gonna regret it. did anyone go to CES? if so lemme know about the bluetooth scene there =p~

and has anyone had experience with the bluetooth gps receivers?

[Champ]

I think you should be worred about power not intensity.. obviously lot so fthing suse hte same bandwave for different purpoes. my processor runs at 1.8GHZ which is twice as much as my cordless phone

[ehd]

if i put a bluetooth thinkpad next to another bluetooth thinkpad.. does that mean we're networkd and can transfer files wirelessly?

[ehd]

ooh i found a new use for bluetooth http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,62687,00.html
nice...

[ThinkPad]

I use blue tooth to connect to my printer, I say go for it.

[lvlolvlo]

I use bluetooth for a great deal many things....

Mouse, Keyboard(PC and PDA), ActivSync via bluetooth, transfer files, using my ngage qd to battle someone.....

[gengar]

I've never been too fond of the fact that Bluetooth runs on the same frequency as the microwave in your kitchen.

Why? What possible difference can it make? Microwaves at an intensity to boil water would run your mouse 25 miles away, and I can't quite see IBM installing such powerful equipment in a laptop.

Not that this should need to be said, but the power doesn't need to be anywhere near as strong as that of a microwave to cause harm. It's concerning because many industrialized nations have lowered the acceptable exposure rates (SAR) in these frequencies repeatedly in the last couple years. For example, AFAIK the UK has reduced the acceptable exposure level by around 80% over the last five years and continues to fund studies (on the order of 8 digits US$) concerning long-term health risks.

I certainly don't consider myself an alarmist nor do I want to turn this thread into a health debate seeing how many other sources there on on this topic. I was simply noting why I, personally, choose not to use Bluetooth devices.

[etherealtml]

I've never been too fond of the fact that Bluetooth runs on the same frequency as the microwave in your kitchen.

lol thats good to know. There's a reason why they tell people with pacemakers not to stand too close to microwaves...

The bluetooth ear-pieces also scare me. I just don't think having all those radio waves so close to your brain can do you any good. Just my $.02