Because Bluetooth is only good for short range, and there are SO many competing technologies that can do longer range, and WIMax is coming out later this year or early next, Bluetooth will be the little wireless that couldn't. Ah, well.

(yes) of course! Will bluetooth be the technology that finally does it? Maybe. Apple is championing a more powerful version. While my fanaticism for apple ends with the logo, I have to say they're doing some things right.

I think GPS will kick in on cell phones and other devices before we see something major happen with Blue Tooth--perhaps due to privacy concerns(?) I think a lot of people [like me] want more from their cell phones and other devices. The question is, how to keep the everyday hacker who you're riding the train with from stealing your data?

Technology never ceases to fascinate me. I'm looking forward to getting rid of all those wires behind my desktop computer--and I'm just grateful that there are wireless networks these days. Between bluetooth headsets and remote starters for cars, I'm excited to think what the next ten years will bring--I'm sure we are all aware the bluetooth will be old news in another five years with the advent of something that hasn't even been conjured yet. What kind of "When I was your age..." stories are we going to be telling our kids and grandkids 30 years from now? It's too unfathomable to think where technology will take us by then...

My sister in law works for AMX. They have smart technologies for business and home. She mentioned that soon their clients will be able to everything... starting dinner, dimming lights, getting the stereo set to romantic tunes from your phone on their way home. Crazy Jetson's stuff. I can't wait!

I don't have any bluetooth - yet - but I do have a fancy remote that my husband programmed all the tv's in our house into, and the stereo's, so all that electro stuff works off one remote. I love it! Sign me up!

Theoretically, everything's got a "back door" for modifications. BUT, I'm sure many of you have found yourselves pretty stressed when you've lost a remote to a stereo or television, only to learn you can't change the settings. Ever get stuck with SAP language chosen on your TV without a remote to fix it? Ugh. Good thought Blair -- it's not really big bucks, it's just big time annoyance and hassle.
Maybe you're on to a new product here? Go make yourself millions before the pack with the "Blair Bluetooth Parachute," the low-cost backup device which comes preconfigured to operate most major technology on the market.

What happens though when the device you use to control everything (call it a cell or whatever you wish) breaks? Then you can't control your windows/locks/heat/oven/washer/stere... until you get it fixed? Are we talking big bucks here?

Actually, hacking is not that easy with bluetooh, security measures must be appropriate, but two things bluetooth does well are making good use of battery for short distance communication with reasonable speed, and the ability to properly authenticate to a level that is 'good enough' for home and semi-professional use. It is obviously, by nature a local area thing - just meant to get from the keyboard to the computer or your laptop into the cell phone (in your backpack) in order to dial up to the internet while camping. But keyboards can marry to their computer such that a room full of them won't be typing or mousing on each other's machines or a device can remain secure via password protection from basic hacking.

Bluetooth is great, but its not good for long distances...It'll never take over, but it'll be good for small distance wireless access.

I just love that the new apple laptops and desktops all are bluetoothe enabled... easy wiresless keyboards, mice, communications, printing... the works. Not revolutionary. But there are a lot fewer wires on my desk.

Of course, Bluetooth looks very vulnerable to hacking, no?

OH! I have to tell a story - someone used an Apple iPod to "record" the flashing sequence of any IR remote control you might have, the TV, VCR whatever. Plug in a $9 retail IR light that connects to the headphone out on the iPod which "listens" to the recorded flashing and "plays" it back to the IR light which if you point it at the TV will do your command! An iPod 'playlist' of home devices and their individual recorded command-sequences shows up on the iPod and you navigate and click your way to any IR device control. Wanna do more? You can take the recorded commands, and using any sound editing software - edit the commands together to make a sequence of many coordinated steps: Turn on stereo, change the CD-input, turn on CD play, press play turn volume to normal .... I thought - that's a pretty interesting out of the box idea using available parts and just the idea to make it all happen - so simple! Pretty cool huh?

It's going to start with the simple things -- cleaning up the clutter on the dashboard of your car... REALLY finally becoming one remote to control your home entertainment system... connecting your camera to your computer. The potential is huge, I'll give you that!

my roommate came home all excited about the new bluetooth card he got for his computer to connect with his phone. I didn't realize how incredibly powerful his phone was--he controls everything now. He can move his cursor from the living room, turn on and off our heat and electricity and change the course of jets on their way to the airport. OK, just kidding. But it does seem to have a ton of potential. i always thought it was neat that you could get the infrared on a palm pilot to work with your TV/VCR. So I'm sure the next step is that other things than your computer will be bluetooth enabled like your tv, household appliances, electric locks on your car. Pretty soon, we're going to stop calling it "cell phone" and start calling it "little magic box." Because between taking pictures, texting, organizing, going on the internet, watching movies, playing games, controlling appliances, etc. it's so much more than a phone.

I noticed a Jaguar ad putting in bluetooth into their list of features -- I've seen car setups where voice dialing, use of the stereo for sound and hands free microphones can dial your cell phone while in your pocket. I've seen computers installed into cars to control things using voice, not just the phone, but the car windows, or stereo. Even my mother got a computer with wireless mouse and keyboard and it works quite well. The next few years could show a lot of interesting ideas using bluetooth. Who'da thunk?