| Both wireless and bluetooth devices are designed to | | | | - Bluetooth replaces peripheral cables. Bluetooth is |
| coexist in the network. But each one of them has its | | | | operating at short distances, usually at 10 meters, |
| own advantages and disadvantages. The biggest | | | | and most often replaces all the cable that connect |
| differences between them are: | | | | your peripheral devices like keyboards, printers, |
| - Application. There are three important benefits of | | | | mouses or PDA to your computer. |
| using a bluetooth: first of all, it is wireless. So when | | | | - WI-Fi is wireless Ethernet. Wi-Fi is a version if |
| you travel you don't have to worry about lots of | | | | Ethernet that is intended to replace cables that |
| huge tangles of cables that link your mouse, printer, | | | | normally would run through walls and ceilings to |
| monitor, scanner, and other devices on your desk | | | | connect computers in multiple rooms or even multiple |
| and around your home. Next, it's very inexpensive, so | | | | rooms in a building. |
| you don't have to make big sacrifices to afford one. | | | | - Bluetooth replaces IrDA. There is another wireless |
| Finally, it's very easy to use it. You don't have to do | | | | technology called Ifrared Data Association, that has |
| something special to make it work. | | | | been already mounted on most laptop computers, |
| - Distance. A Bluetooth device is a low-powered one. | | | | PAD and in many printers. The Infra Red signals are |
| This means that the range of its action is of about | | | | very secured but they demand a line-of-sight |
| 30 feet. Depending on the antenna that you use, this | | | | proximity devices. It functions just on the same |
| range of action can cover your house. | | | | principles as a remote control. Just like the way in |
| By comparison, Wi-Fi adapters are more powerful | | | | which your TV's remote control must be pointed |
| and capable to reach data transmissions rates than | | | | directly at your TV to work, the infrared ports on |
| the Bluetooth devices. But the easiest way to | | | | two PDAs must be lined up to trade data. Bluetooth |
| distinguish Wi-Fi from Bluetooth is to focus on what | | | | uses radio waves not light waves, so the proximity is |
| each replaces: | | | | not required. |