Installation & Conclusion
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With both the Bluetake Dongle and Adapter being USB devices, you'd think that installation would be something of a non-event, especially as I'm using Windows XP operating system. A quick look at the well written manual shows that you must install the Bluetooth software before you install either device, this apparently avoids any unneeded complications. Widcomm are chosen to provide the necessary software for the both. You're welcomed onto Widcomm's initial screen and everything seems rosy enough.
After clicking next, I came upon one of Windows' favourite screens. It stated that the drivers were not digitally signed and would I like to continue, I clicked continue anyway, normally this is the end of the matter.
Soon after, I got another similar screen, and then another. All in all, I had to manually click through 16 digital certificates before it finally relented and passed the installation. At times the PC just appeared to do nothing. So if you are installing these drivers, this is the norm and not the exception. The reason that you have to pass so many certificates lies in the fact that the software creates virtual ports for the Bluetooth device. More about this later. You're prompted to reboot the machine. Once rebooted, you see the Bluetooth symbol and you can then connect up either device. Windows finds the drivers without difficulty. Device manager sees the new addition as a CSR USB Bluetooth device in both cases.
Usage The provided Widcomm software is actually pretty robust, 1.2.1.15 being the version that shipped with both devices. The software creates virtual ports that allow it to do the following things: Bluetooth Serial Port. Establishes a Bluetooth wireless connection between two devices. The connection may be used by application as though a physical serial cable connected the device(s). Dial-Up Networking. Bluetooth client can dial-up to Internet by using a modem that is physically connected to the Bluetooth server. Fax. Bluetooth client can send a fax wirelessly by using a Fax machine that is physically connected to the Bluetooth server. File Transfer. When File Transfer service is established between two Bluetooth devices, you can easily browse, drag/drop, open print, cut/copy, paste, delete, or rename files/folders in local and remote directories. Information Exchange. This service allows two Bluetooth-enables devices exchange personal information manager data such as business cards, calendar items, email messages and notes. Information Synchronization. This server allows two Bluetooth-enabled devices to synchronize Personal Information Manager data with each other. Network Access. Established a wireless connection between the client and a server that is physically connected to the Local Area Network (LAN). If the client has permission from the server, the wireless connection can be used as if the client were hardwired to the LAN. It's seen by Windows like thus:
You have to manually setup the items with crosses in the boxes. Simply right-clicking on the Bluetooth symbol that presents itself in the system tray leads you to the configuration screen.
From here you can manipulate pretty much all you need. Amongst other things, you can define which files are available for transfer, decide which Bluetooth devices are allowed to connect to the devices and define general security levels File transfer is a simple affair if you have another Bluetooth-enabled device connected to another PC / laptop. The software creates an FTP connection and simply transfers files seamlessly bi-directionally. I connected the adapter to my server located about 20 feet away from my main PC to see if I could transfer files between the two. The software found the each device without any difficulty and listed the files that I had allowed it to see. I tried transferring an old favourite, 3DMark 2000, wirelessly between the 2 PCs.
Bluetooth v1.1, which is what both devices conform to, has a maximum speed of 1 MBit /s (or 125KB/s). I timed a 10 MB section of the transfer and found that I was averaging around 42 KB/s, around one third of the stated maximum speed. Although there were 2 walls between the PCs, I had hoped that I would get close to the theoretical limit. Considering that the Dongle has a maximum range of 100 metres, albeit in an unobstructed way, I was disappointed that it lost connection now and again which presented me with this error:
It worked well on the whole but tended to lose connection without good reason. I know that a newer version of Widcomm software is available, I've seen it bundled with MSI's Bluetooth-enabled 845E Max2 motherboard, perhaps that might solve the unexplained transfer terminations. Conclusion Bluetooth appears to be the successor to infrared as a means of wirelessly communicating with other devices over a small area. The Bluetake USB Dongle will appeal to those who already have Bluetooth-enabled devices and wish to centralise all their communications to their PC / laptop, and the adapter will help those that want to connect up additional PCs, although it can function as a central device, too. The devices were relatively easy to setup, worked fairly well, and had the chic factor. In file transfer terms, I don't feel that it is a replacement for true WLAN just yet, but give it time. It's also useful for those that own either another Dongle, or have an Bluetooth USB adapter already. You can connect up to 7 other Bluetooth devices to both the Dongle or Adapter, so if you had say a small office that only required networking on a limited basis, the Dongle and USB adapters would come in useful. I'd find this very useful if my personal Compaq IPAQ was Bluetooth-compatible. The mobile professional, with a Bluetooth-enabled PDA, could simply synchronise data without having to resort to using the cradle, or could transfer relatively large files easily. The only problem is that embracing new technologies early usually means that you pay a premium. The Dongle retails for around £75, and the adapter is not much cheaper. Overall, if you have Bluetooth devices and wish for your main PC to get in on the act, these could be just for you. For me, they are more of a novelty than necessity. |
