EOTO: The Evolution of Bluetooth

History

Bluetooth was invented in 1994. Dr. Jaap Haartsen, a Dutch engineer, was given a task to find short range radio connections. The Sweden based company that he was working at, Ericsson's Mobile Terminal Division, wanted to find a way to enrich the functionality of mobile phones which at the time had been growing in popularity.Ericsson strived to enhance the capabilities of these new mobile devices by somehow enabling them to connect wireless to a range of accessories, such as, headphones, keyboards, and mice.

Dr. Haartsen's task led to the idea that if he were to create a wireless standard that would allow devices from different manufactures to connect seamlessly, making mobile phones even more versatile and portable. This invention would go on to change the way we connect, communicate, and interact with electronic devices. 

The goal that Ericsson had set into place led into the development of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in 1998. This group was made up of companies like Nokia, IBM, Intel, and Toshiba. Finally, by 1999 the first hands-free mobile handset was launched, marking the very beginning of a new era of wireless communication

Bluetooth was named after King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson, a 10th century Danish king who unified Denmark and Norway, just like how Bluetooth unifies devices through wireless connection. 

Impact

There are many ways how Bluetooth has impacted our lives and continues to

1. Solved Connectivity Issues: Before bluetooth individuals have to struggle with tangled wires. Bluetooth created a society that is able to connect seamlessly with other devices such as laptops, smartphones, speakers, and headsets. Without the ability to wireless connect there would be a forever issue of tangling wires.

    2. Mobility and Portability: Since the invention of Bluetooth there are no longer tangled wires that prevent one from moving around freely. This allows us to have wearable items, such as smart watches or fitness trackers

    3.  Cross Platform Compatibility: Bluetooth over the years became a universal standard, meaning devices for different manufacturers could easily connect. This provides users the flexibility and convenience when using various electronics without the worry of compatibility issues. 

4. Continuous Innovation and Evolution: Bluetooth is always changing and evolving. It has progressively developed in order to keep pace with expanding customer requirements. It was revolutionary when Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) emerged into the market in 2010, which allowed devices to respond with low power, thus being ideal for battery-powered devices like fitness watches, smartwatches, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.  Bluetooth is still evolving, and with each release, range, speed, and usage expand.

Overall Idea

In actuality, Bluetooth technology has altered how we engage with the outside environment. Bluetooth has allowed people to talk to and control their gadgets in previously unimaginable ways, from resolving connectivity problems to facilitating the expansion of the Internet of Things. It is one of the most important and widely used technologies in modern life because of its portability, worldwide interoperability, and ongoing improvement. We can only imagine the new possibilities that Bluetooth's continued evolution will bring to wireless communication in the future.

Privacy

 Impact

Though the internet era has made our life so much simpler, it has also invaded our privacy. I understood how much data about us is gathered, many times without our knowledge or consent, after watching the TED talks. We are being monitored whenever we search for something, use an app, or make an online transaction. My friends and family are concerned because most of them have no idea of the possible risks. Sharing personal details on social media, for instance, may not be harmful, but businesses frequently utilize it for targeted advertisements or may resale it to third-party individuals without the knowledge of users.

Government's Role

Governments are at the core of ensuring our privacy. Because privacy legislation is outdated, businesses tend to exploit personal information without serious repercussions. There should be stricter legislation to make sure that businesses are open and forthcoming with information that they gather and utilize. People should be granted more discretion, like opting out of information gathering where feasible. Businesses would be more inclined to act responsibly if there were clear privacy policies and actual repercussions for violations.

Individual Actions to Maintain Privacy

Although there is a role for government to play, we also need to take responsibility to make sure that we are safeguarding our own personal information. We should be careful about what apps we download, and not over-sharing on social media. Those two things alone can go a long way to helping keep our personal data secure. It's really critical to from time to time check the privacy settings on our devices and be mindful of what information we're sharing. However, even with all the simple precautions it's not guaranteed that you are maintaining privacy.