The Development of Bluetooth and How It Shaped The World As We Know It.

Bluetooth technology was first created in 1994 in an attempt to enable communication and connectivity between multiple electronic devices. At the time, computers, printers, etc. all required numerous wires and connectors that created a difficult time setting everything up- even for experts, let alone the average adult. Surprisingly, Bluetooth was not created by simply one individual or even one company, but rather a consortium made up of the leading companies in the technology industry. Specifically, IBM, Intel, Nokia, and Toshiba were a part of the original group. This union was Ericsson- led and Bluetooth technology is Ericsson trademarked. In 2000, a second group was established, comprising 1371 different companies known as the Bluetooth Special Interest Group or SIG. However, I think the most interesting fact about Bluetooth is where the technology got its name. Bluetooth is named after a Danish King, Harald Blatland- or Bluetooth in English, from the time period AD 908 who was successful in uniting all corners of his country under one rule and one religion. The name is incredibly fitting, as the technology only came about through the teamwork or the union of various companies under the premise of one overarching goal. Additionally, the purpose of the technology is to lessen the amount of cords and connectors involved in setting up the electronics that were available at the time and enable a number of devices to be connected as one. 

Despite being born in the midst of technological advancement, I am not what anyone would describe as “tech-savvy”. Before researching this topic, I truly had no idea how Bluetooth worked and how much of an impact it has had on our lives over the last decade. In reality, Bluetooth technology has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our waking lives. This technology has simplified and changed our world dramatically, arguably for the better. A microanalysis of Bluetooth tech that I came across in my research discusses the possible implementations of Bluetooth and the ways it could improve processes in a number of different settings. I find it incredibly fascinating that nearly every instance discussed within the paper has come about today and in fact significantly improved the flow of the day. The applications of this technology range from simple improvements such as being able to print something wirelessly and/or connecting various office devices to make the process of the day easier to allowing cardiac patients to be monitored through a mobile device. 

When anything catches on and takes over as quickly as Bluetooth did, there will almost always be some type of negative effect or impact. Bluetooth aids people in getting more done in a shorter amount of time. For example, connecting one office device to the next and sharing information that way or simply pressing a button to print out the files you needed for the meeting that afternoon or even connecting your phone to your car so that you can take phone calls, send texts, listen to lectures, etc. all while getting to your next destination. While these improvements are great, simple fixes that make life run much smoother, one could argue that Bluetooth simplified tasks a little too much. In this way, it may have largely impacted the fast paced, impatient culture we now find ourselves in. Additionally, Bluetooth allowed for almost instant gratification. Rather than having to engage in multiple steps to accomplish a simple goal or waiting until you reach your destination to make phone calls, we’re able to knock those things off our list instantly. The desire for that instant gratification has largely impacted the society we see around us today. The influx of instant results may have caused individuals to shift from long-term thinking to more short-term thought processes, greatly impacting the decisions we make today. While a number of other facts come into play with the way our present society chases instant gratification, such as social media or streaming services, Bluetooth may very well have been the beginning of the path we now find ourselves on.


Source: 

    Erasala, Naveen, and David C. Yen. “Bluetooth Technology: a Strategic Analysis of Its Role in Global 3G Wireless Communication Era.” Computer Standards & Interfaces, vol. 24, no. 3, July 2002, pp. 193–206., doi:10.1016/s0920-5489(02)00018-1.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Controversial Opinions in Mainstream Media

Image
Through a number of supreme court cases between 1919, starting with the Quartet of antiwar protestors, to 1931 when the Near rule was created, a clearer line was drawn regarding what is and is not protected by the First Amendment. According to Holmes in 1919, a variety of opinions and ideas is beneficial as it creates a marketplace of ideas in which the people have the freedom to pick the "best" one or the one that most closely aligns with their viewpoints. Additionally, the Near V. Minnesota case determined that to ban a publication would be a Prior Restraint and is seen as unconstitutional. Due to this, the authors published on both of these websites have the freedom to express their views no matter how far they may dissent from the common perspective or popular idea of the time. In the same way, news sources have the right to pick and choose what they decide to report on and ultimately, convey to the public. Unfortunately, the journalism and press industry is one of cut t
Read more

The U.S. Supreme Court Reflection

Image
       Before watching this video, I did not know much about the supreme court at all- especially how much impact the supreme court decisions have within our country. I found it incredibly interesting that since the start of our country there have only been a little over 100 justices that each may serve on the supreme court for decades. However, the most surprising thing I learned was that they receive approximately 7000 new cases in a single year but only approximately 100 get chosen for review. Additionally, each case may take months to complete an official opinion on, with revisions happening the entire time and sometimes even complete changes of opinion when majority turns into minority. This fact helped change the way I viewed the supreme court, as I had no idea how much work they truly had to put into each case- likely influencing how many cases they choose to review and which ones they deem as a real national issue. I used to think of the supreme court as a secretive or hidden b
Read more

Privacy in the Digital Age

Image
  I was never the person to worry too much about the privacy aspect of our phones and social media. I remember there being quite a big uproar when the fact that apps like Facebook or Instagram compile our data in order to create a feed more suited to our interests and an even bigger uproar when it was discovered that these same apps listen to our conversations in order to display targeted advertisements. While the majority of people around me were freaking out about these obvious breaches of privacy, I wasn’t too upset. I thought it was pretty cool and definitely helpful that I could talk about needing a new hair straightener or product and later on that day log into Instagram and find an ad for exactly what I wanted. At the time, the biggest issue I saw with the whole thing was the enabling of quick fixes or immediate satisfaction rather than having to do a little bit of research and go buy the products ourselves. I can see the concept of solutions to our minuscule problems being hand
Read more