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Introduction
In London a new
fad has hit the trains from suburbia: “Toothing” is hooking
up with your fellow commuters via Bluetooth.
I am not in London and today’s review will deal with a more
modest, if perhaps more practical goal: hooking up my cell phone
with my laptop with the help of the Bluetooth USB Adapter BT02-B
from Billionton.
The description on
the packaging promises myriads of new functionalities to my phone
and laptop:
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Connection to the Internet
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Send and receive Email
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Browse the Web
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Synchronize with a Bluetooth enabled PDA
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Hook up to an office network
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Communication with other Bluetooth enabled devices
Usage
The installation of the Bluetooth Software on my laptop which runs
on Windows XP Professional went without problem. The Set-up from the
CD launched automatically and a Configuration Wizard made it easy to
choose the settings. After a quick set up, my Sony Ericsson T610
cell phone and my computer found each other OK.
The next step the
so called “Pairing” of the devices proved to be the first
challenge. It is neither clear from the cell phone documentation nor
from the Bluetooth Help File how to do this.
After setting a password on my Laptop and trying to establish
a connection, it failed several times until finally it worked
somehow.
However, the second
and bigger challenge was to have my phone and laptop actually
exchange something. After I tried to send a picture and a business
card either direction from my phone and laptop, I finally realized
that in fact I was not set up yet.
After searching online and struggling a little longer, I finally
found out that I had to install the Synchronization Software that
comes with my cell phone and that I had to enable the Bluetooth
Serial Ports Service (tip
source).
This Service
“allows two Bluetooth devices to establish a wireless connection
through virtual communications ports and then use that connection as
if it were hardwired serial cable between the devices”. So I found
out from the Readme file later.
Unfortunately,
the icon used for this connection looks exactly like a serial port
plug which is why I believe I ignored the icon together with the
whole analogy when it initially came up during the Configuration
Wizard.
Having learned from my mistake, I re-ran the Configuration Wizard
and enabled the Bluetooth Serial ports. The service or connection
gets a COM port assigned which has to be enabled in the Phone
Monitor Options under the Control Panel.
After
that synchronization of my Outlook Calendar with my phone with the
help of the XTNDConnect Software from Sony Ericsson works fine.
In
hindsight, the whole set up is quite plug and play once you know
what to do; the difficulty rather lies in putting everything
together.
Well,
I guess that might also be the challenge and attraction of
“Toothing” in the commuter trains; it is a long way from
Islington every morning.
Bluetooth USB
Adapter BT02-B from Billionton comes with an extension cord and a CD
(including Drivers, Bluetooth Application Software and a Readme file
which is 189 pages long!).
Conclusion
The Bluetooth USB Adapter BT02-B from
Fancylogic is a low-cost way to get a Bluetooth enabled phone
connected to a PC or Notebook. If you follow the tips in this review
it is easy to get to work.
How to Buy
The Billionton
Bluetooth USB Adapter sells for $38.50 at Fancylogic.com.
$50 cash back for Sony
Ericsson T610 (TMobile) at Amazon.com,
Find more Bluetooth
USB Adapters at Amazon.com.
Specification
- Bluetooth YL1 compliant
- USB 1.1 compliant
- Working distance 10 meter
About Fancylogic
FancyLogic is an online
store showcased some of the most innovative products. FancyLogic
strives to deliver premium quality, customer satisfaction and an
innovative product line that meets the expectations of our
consumers. Fancylogic offers international shipping to most
countries.
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