Bluetooth is the name of a wireless standard. It enables bluetooth products to communicate wirelessly with each other. It is achieved via low power radio frequencies. Items include phones, headsets, carkits, pdas, keyboards, computers, etc. It has a standard range of 10 metres, but the new generation of devices have a range of 100 metres. Bluetooth devices are compatible across all manufacturers.
The term ‘pairing’ describes the actual connecting of the devices together. The typical example is with a mobile phone and a bluetooth headset. The headset firstly needs to be paired so they recognise each other. This is done on the phone via the Bluetooth Menu (usually by powering up the function, searching for devices and entering the passkey, typically ‘0000’). Subsequently the items will recognise each other automatically. Up to four or eight devices can be paired, but only one can function at a time.
Many car manufacturers offer bluetooth carkits as a standard feature or as an optional extra eg. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Holden and Ford. This enables users to leave their phone in their pocket or handbag and when they turn on the ignition, the phone is recognised. Dependant upon the car manufacturer phone numbers and contact names will appear on the stereo face, audio through the speakers, all controlled via the steering wheel buttons.
The term is named after King Harald Bluetooth who united the warring Denmark and Norway in 960AD. As he led the countries to work with each other, Bluetooth enables devices to also work together.