So What’s The Difference Between WiFi and Bluetooth 

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both methods that provide wireless communication and/or connection between devices, but they are different technologies, but technology aside,  the main difference between the two methods is the job they are designed to do and how they are most often used. Basically Bluetooth is normally used to connect two devices without having to use cables, while Wi-Fi is most often used to provide high-speed Internet access.

Bluetooth wireless technology is an industry standard that is used to exchange data between devices over distances of less than 30 feet wirelessly, typically a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone can use Bluetooth to communicate with a wireless headset or mp3 player. In essence Bluetooth acts just like a cable between the two devices, but behind the scenes it does this by creating a secure and exclusive communication network. Bluetooth has boosted the convenience and appeal of portable mobile devices by providing a simple way for them to interact with other devices, ith is considered a proprietary protocol because manufacturers must license a number of patents to make Bluetooth devices.

Wi-Fi does seem similar at first glance, especially as it does have some similar applications to Bluetooth, for example both can be sued to set up a network or  transfer files from one device to another. But rather than being designed to communicate between two devices, the main purpose of Wi-Fi is to wirelessly connect multiple devices to the Internet or Ethernet networks (however to further confuse things, Wi-Fi can also act almost exactly like Bluetooth by connecting two devices directly over short ranges using a special Wi-Fi version called Wi-Fi Direct!). Wi-Fi range is also much further than the short range over which Bluetooth can operate, up to 300 feet. So multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices can connect to the Internet when in range of a single Wi-Fi signal. Wi-Fi, like Bluetooth is also a standard, a trademark name used for devices that employ IEEE 802.11 standards. Today Wi-Fi is available in many mobile devices such as laptops and mobile phones, plus Wi-Fi hotspots continue to proliferate across the UK, particularly in schools & colleges, restaurants, airports, railway stations, hotels and motorway service areas.

Another crucial difference between the two technologies is that as Bluetooth is designed to be a direct device-to-device technology, it typically requires that you first “pair” the two devices you want to link, normally this involves typing a number generated by one devcie into the other. But Wi-Fi has no such pairing requirement as it is not designed to simply “pair” two devices, although you’ll probably need a password to access most Wi-Fi networks.

So in summary, Bluetooth is much shorter-range, rarely involves getting onto the Internet, and doesn’t need any central device like a router. Bluetooth is almost always used to simply connect two devices together, whereas Wi-Fi has greater range and works with multiple devices.

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