Aside from a high resolution screen, Bluetooth has been one of the most common feature-requests of the $600 Treo. Bluetooth, for those who may not know, is a short range wireless protocal running on the same 2.4 ghz spectrum as 802.11b/g. Bluetooth uses less power than WiFi, but has a fairly slow speed (768 kbps). Unlike Wifi, Bluetooth is made for links between all kinds of mobile and staionary devices, such as PDAs, phones, laptops, keyboards and headsets. Bluetooth has been around since 1997, but only recently has a critical mass of devices been introduced that will make Bluetooth actually useful to Treo users.
The current Treo 600 does not have Bluetooth built in, nor can it support any of the SD Bluetooth cards that are available. No developer has deemed it economical for them to write a Treo 600 Bluetooth driver. However, there is a bright future for the Treo, and I am certain that the next Treo will have Bluetooth support. PalmOne now has Bluetooth on their Zires and Tungstens; and most midrange to high end PDAs and cellphones now include Bluetooth as a feature. Simply put, the Treo has been lacking Bluetooth, and the addition of it to the next Treo is a no brainer.
Even though we don't have a Bluetooth Treo yet, one can easily salivate over the possibilites that Bluetooth adds. I'm going to list a few helpful ways that the Treo can utilize Bluetooth.
Wireless Headset: Compared to small, modern cellphones, the Treo is HUGE. I like it this way, because I appreciate the keyboard and screen, but sometimes talking on it can get tiring - and wired headsets are cumbersome to use. Enter the bluetooth wireless headset. Bluetooth was designed specifically to handle voice traffic. Expansys, a large retailer specializing in Bluetooth devices, lists more than 50 different headsets from $50 to $500. Some, like the Nextlink Bluespoon weigh only 5 grams. A Bluetooth headset will be a must have accessory for any future Bluetooth-enabled Treo.
HotSyncing: If you have any recent Apple laptop or desktop, you probably have Bluetooth already built in. If you are on a Windows system, you probably don't, but for only $30 a USB dongle can be bought that will add Bluetooth functuality to your system. HotSyncing over Bluetooth is slower than HotSyncing over USB, but the Treo will never have to be plugged in to get data from it. For some mobile users, this can be a very helpful innovation.
Internet Sharing and Dialing: Using that same Bluetooth enabled laptop, a Bluetooth enabled Treo will nativly be able to act as a modem, sharing it's high speed wireless data connection with the computer. With Bluetooth, there will be no more need for specialty programs such as pdanet or wirelessmodem.
Think Outside Wireless Keyboard: Back in the pre-keyboard days, when we were all using Graffiti, there was an amazing foldable keyboard called the Stowaway. Yes, the Treo already have a thumb keyboard, but some people may prefer a full keyboard for extended uses. The Think Outside Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard is the modern version of the Stowaway. It uses its own power and even provides a stand for the device to sit on. The best part is that one keyboard can be used with Palms, Pocket PC's, Smartphones, and even desktop computers! Many Treo users will find this keyboard essential.
GPS: Even PalmOne now offers a Bluetooth "mouse" GPS unit. Bluetooth gets rid of cables, allowing the GPS unit to sit in your car without making a mess. More importantly, the Treo can be in a custum mount, or in its non-syncable case and still utilize GPS.
The Treo will benefit greatly from the addition of Bluetooth as the best of Bluetooth is yet to come. The Bluetooth SIG lists 535 Bluetooth devices. Some are complete cars, allowing a future Treo to use built in microphones and audio systems in the car as a headset. Others are products that allow for Bluetooth printing. But last of all, don't forget the Bluetooth remote control car!
