Bluetooth is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to wireless networking. The benefit to Bluetooth is that it allows any two devices to communicate; the drawback had been range and speed, but these have recently been improved.
When purchasing a Bluetooth device, check the class, which specifies the maximum distance:
Class 1 -- 100m -- 330' -- within offices or between homes.
Class II -- 10m -- 33' -- several rooms.
Class III -- 1m -- 3' -- personal space or within an office cubicle.
Headphones beneift from being Class III, printers from Class II, and audio-video transmitters from Class I.
Notes:
* The distances listed above are the maximum under ideal conditions; things like walls, metal fences, and rock cliffs can greatly reduce the effective range.
* Both Bluetooth devices have to be of the same class to communicate at the maximum distance.
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