Bluetooth is a wireless technology that has less bandwidth and range than the 802.11 series.

The big advantages are low cost and low power (great for handheld devices like mobile phones).

Visit (http://www.bluetooth.com/ Bluetooth.com) for more information.

The term '''PAN''' ''(Personal Area Network)'' was coined for Bluetooth due to its limited working range.

It was envisioned that bluetooth chips would be integrated into devices like PDAs, Mobile Phones, headsets and laptops and that all these devices could communicate with each other when in close proximity. (ie; all on ones person - in your bag etc.)

'''In practice:''' 
* You dont want someone to walk between you and your connected device.
* You will not get across the average room before drop-outs start occuring
* The technology is certainly not cheap - yet

''(updated; txrx05092002)''