Wireless Networking

What is Wireless?

Now the term is used to describe modern wireless connections such as those in cellular networks and wireless broadband Internet. In modern usage, wireless is a method of communication that uses low-powered radio waves to transmit data between devices.
Wireless refers to communication without cables or cords, chiefly using radio frequency and infrared waves. Common uses include the wireless networking of computers and cellular mobile phones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi was developed to be used for mobile computing devices, such as laptops, in LANs, but is now increasingly used for more applications.
Including Internet and VoIP phone access Gaming Basic connectivity of consumer electronics such as televisions and DVD players, or digital cameras. There are even more standards in development that will allow Wi-Fi to be used by cars in highways in support of an Intelligent Transportation System to increase safety, gather statistics, and enable mobile commerce IEEE 802.11p
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11

Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth is an industrial specification for wireless personal area networks (PANs), also known as IEEE 802.15.1. Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, laptops, PCs, printers, digital cameras and video game consoles via a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

Bluetooth Contd.

Bluetooth is a radio standard and communications protocol primarily designed for low power consumption, with a short range (power class dependent: 1 meter, 10 meters, 100 meters) based around low-cost transceiver microchips in each device. Bluetooth lets these devices communicate with each other when they are in range. The devices use a radio communications system, so they do not have to be in line of sight of each other, and can even be in other rooms, so long as the received transmission is powerful enough.

Bluetooth Applications

Wireless control of and communication between a cell phone and a hands free headset or car kit. This is the most popular use. Wireless networking between PCs in a confined space and where little bandwidth is required. Wireless communications with PC input and output devices, the most common being the mouse, keyboard and printer. Transfer of files between devices via OBEX. Transfer of contact details, calendar appointments, and reminders between devices via OBEX. Replacement of traditional wired serial communications in test equipment, GPS receivers and medical equipment. For remote controls where infrared was traditionally used. Sending small advertisements from Bluetooth enabled advertising hoardings to other, discoverable, Bluetooth devices. Wireless control of a games console, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 will both use Bluetooth technology for their wireless controllers. Sending commands and software to the LEGO Mindstorms NXT instead of infrared.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bluetooth

Bluetooth vs. WiFi

Bluetooth is in a variety of new products such as phones, printers, modems, and headsets, to name a few. Bluetooth is acceptable for situations when two or more devices are in close proximity with each other and don't require high bandwidth. Bluetooth is most commonly used with cell phones and handheld computing devices, either using a Bluetooth headset or transferring files from phones/PDAs to computers. Since Bluetooth uses short-range radio frequencies, it is not as effective for setting up networks that can be accessed from remote locations as with Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is more analogous to the traditional Ethernet network, and requires configuration to set up shared resources, transmit files, set up audio links (e.g. headsets and hands-free devices), whereas Bluetooth devices advertise all services they actually provide; this makes the utility of the service that much more accessible, without the need to worry about network addresses, permissions and all the other considerations that go with typical networks.

Bluetooth vs. WiFi

Wi-Fi uses the same radio frequencies as Bluetooth, but with higher power consumption resulting in a stronger connection. As mentioned earlier, WiFi is sometimes called "wireless ethernet". Although this description is inaccurate, it provides an indication of Wi-Fi's capabilities. Wi-Fi is better suited for setting up networks as it enables a faster connection and has better security than Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is also becoming increasingly popular and widespread; it is a standard feature of most new laptop computers, and is a straightforward expansion to desktop computers not already Wi-Fi enabled (eg. through the use of a USB dongle). As a traditional networking medium, Wi-Fi is more versatile, but harder to configure. Most users need good know-how (or an IT department) to get things set up. For this reason, Wi-Fi falls well short of the standard for adhoc networking, one of the basic tenets of the Bluetooth framework.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

In Conclusion

Wireless technology may seem like the next step in networking, to an extent cannot be used to their full potential due to interference from weather or other phenomena that may alter radio waves. There are many who are refining and developing wireless networking to make it global such as WiMAX, that is also a compliment to Wi-Fi and may help expand Wi-Fis capabilities as well. One can look to the future and see wireless technology as being a competitor in networking because of how quickly many business are trying to take advantage of them. Ex. Bluetooth in cellular technology, in computers, cars, etc. Wi-Fi for schools, WiMAX for entire cities.