Wireless technology has had an irreversible impact on modern life. It freed people from their computers, allowing them to access the Internet, send and receive messages and photos, watch videos, and transmit important files, all from mobile devices. One of the major players in the wireless revolution is Bluetooth, a low-power, short-range method of wireless data transfer. To learn more about this technology, let's look at its history, applications and uses, and how it works.History of BluetoothThe beginnings of Bluetooth technology date back to 1994, when Jaap Haartsen and Sven Mattisson, engineers at the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson , developed it as an alternative way to send data between machines over short distances. In 1998, it was managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), whose primary goal is to maintain Bluetooth. SIG is made up of various companies working together to use Bluetooth as a means of communication between their products. Today, more than 15,000 IT, consumer electronics and telecommunications companies are members of the SIG (“Bluetooth”, 2011). The technology may be relatively new, but the name is quite old. Bluetooth technology acquired its nickname from a 10th-century Danish king, Harald Blåtand – translated into English as Harald Bluetooth (“Welcome to Bluetooth,” 2011). One of King Harald's major achievements during his reign was to unify the fighting groups in what is today known as the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. “Bluetooth” was chosen as the code name for GIS in its early days and eventually became the name of the new technology. It was chosen to reflect the device's ability to simplify communication between different sectors...... middle of paper ...... at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BluetoothBluetooth. Bluetooth logo. [Digital image]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BluetoothDiscovering a Bluetooth Device. [Digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.privateline.com/Bluetooth/Bray.pdfFileSaveAs.com. (2011) Bluetooth Explained - Information and Tips. Retrieved from http://www.filesaveas.com/bluetooth.htmlFranklin, Curt and Layton, Julia. (June 28, 2000) How Bluetooth works. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm Martin, James A. (September 5, 2002). Mobile Computing Tips: Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi FAQ. PC World. Retrieved November 12, 2011 from http://www.pcworld.com/article/103848/mobile_computing_tips_bluetooth_vs_wifi_faq.htmlwiseGEEK. (2011). Do Bluetooth headsets cause cancer? Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/do-bluetooth-headsets-cause-cancer.htm