Introduction: Broadcom Wireless Adapter with Bluetooth® + EDR Technology User Guide
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Bluetooth Networking Overview
Bluetooth® wireless technology enables short-range (within a distance of 10 meters) communication among Bluetooth devices, eliminating the need for cables. When two Bluetooth devices are connected, one device can use or be used by the other, as specified by the user.
Because Bluetooth communications are broadcast over the air, Bluetooth communications can be set to use encryption to protect against others intercepting sensitive data. Typical Bluetooth devices include:
Examples of how one Bluetooth device can use or be used by another Bluetooth device are:
- Using a hands-free audio device with a wireless phone or internet telephony
- Using a wireless mouse, keyboard, or game controller
- Listening to audio on one device that is being played on another
- Exchanging files and business cards
- Synchronizing Personal Information Manager databases
- Connecting to the Internet
- Printing or sending a fax
To begin using your Bluetooth-enabled computer for specific tasks, see "Using Other Bluetooth Devices with Your Bluetooth-Enabled Computer."
To change the default settings that control how Bluetooth works on your computer, see "Specifying How Bluetooth Technology Works on Your Computer."
To learn about available Bluetooth tools and how to use them, see "Using Bluetooth Tools."
If you are having difficulty using Bluetooth, see "Troubleshooting."
To learn more about Bluetooth functionality in general, see "Basic Operations."
Using Bluetooth Tools
NOTE: Some of the following Bluetooth tools may not be available on your Bluetooth-enabled computer.
- My Bluetooth Places — My Bluetooth Places provides fast access to Bluetooth tasks and other places of potential interest. If you have so specified when you use the services provided by other Bluetooth devices, shortcuts to these services are placed here. Shortcuts include the name of the device and the name and icon of the service provided by the device. The status of the connection to the service is indicated both by the appearance of the icon and the description shown under Comments (see "Device Type, Paired Status, and Connection Status Indication").
NOTE: If the Folders pane is visible when you open My Bluetooth Places, you must close the Folders pane to view Bluetooth Tasks, Other Places, and Details in the left pane of My Bluetooth Places.
- Bluetooth Setup Wizard — The Bluetooth Setup Wizard enables you to:
- Bluetooth Configuration — Bluetooth Configuration enables you to change the default settings that control how Bluetooth works on your computer. See "Specifying How Bluetooth Technology Works on Your Computer" for a detailed description.
- Quick Connect — Quick Connect is another tool that enables you to start using the service of another Bluetooth device. If you have used the service before, Quick Connect enables you to immediately connect to that service. If you have not used the service before, you must find a device that provides the service. For instructions, see "Making a Quick Connection."
- Start or Stop the Bluetooth Device — This tool (if available), enables you to turn the Bluetooth radio on or off when you are using your computer in a location that prohibits the operation of radio devices, such as on board a commercial aircraft. To use this tool, see "Start or Stop the Bluetooth Device."
To access Bluetooth tools, right-click the Bluetooth icon 
in the taskbar notification area.
Besides providing access to Bluetooth tools, the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar notification area also indicates the general status of your wireless Bluetooth module :
The module is working and the radio is on.
The module is either not working or the radio is off.
The module is working and this computer is connected to another Bluetooth device.
Device Type, Paired Status, and Connection Status Indication
The type, paired status, and connection status of remote Bluetooth devices that are within range and are discoverable are indicated by the icons that are displayed in Entire Bluetooth Neighborhood.
NOTE: To view more detailed information, on the View menu in Windows Explorer, click Details.
The icons used to indicate device type, paired status, and connection status are illustrated in Table 1.
NOTE: The term that is displayed for a particular type of remote device may not exactly match the term used in the table.
Service Type, Availability, and Connection Status Indication
If you have specified a shortcut to be created when you pair with a remote device, the type, availability, and connection status of the services provided by the device are indicated in My Bluetooth Places.
The type, availability, and connection status of the local services provided by this computer are indicated in My Device.
NOTE: To view more detailed information, on the View menu in Windows Explorer, click Details.
The icons used to indicate service type, availability, and connection status are illustrated in Table 2.
NOTE: The service name that is displayed for a particular type of remote device may not exactly match the term used in the table.
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Name of Service
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Icon Indicating Service Type, Availability, and Connection Status
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Available
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Not Available1
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Connected
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Audio Gateway
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Headphones
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Headset
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File Transfer
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Bluetooth Imaging
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Network Access
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PIM Item Transfer
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PIM Synchronization
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Dial-up Networking
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Printer
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Bluetooth Serial Port
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Fax
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| 1 A service may be unavailable because it is in use or because the device providing the service is not available or is not in range. |