The number of different digital devices is growing every day. Many of them can and should interact with each other. Some do not do this so often, while others require an almost constant connection to exchange information, files, commands. The most common and fastest protocol for a convenient, and most importantly, wireless connection is the Bluetooth protocol.
If your device does not have a built-in Bluetooth module, you can use alternative connection options
It is this protocol that today is equipped with any smartphones, tablets, laptops, almost all TVs, multimedia centers, acoustics, and even some types of kitchen appliances. That is why, in order to efficiently work and control various gadgets within your home or office, you may need to install Bluetooth on your computer. We will talk about how to choose a Bluetooth adapter for a computer, as well as how to install Bluetooth on a PC.
What can Bluetooth be good for?
Bluetooth technology is the most common wireless data transmission system after Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi is used more for local wireless Internet access, Bluetooth technology has proven to be the most efficient way to share information over short distances.
The range of receivers and transmitters using this protocol is gradually increasing, but today it does not exceed 60 meters. The technology can be used to transfer files, receive and transmit an audio signal, send and receive various kinds of commands. By connecting a computer and another device using this protocol, you can, for example, easily manage the internal memory of smartphones, take finished pictures from a camera, control a TV, connect wireless speakers or headphones to a PC, and so on.
Types of adapters and tips for choosing them
While a large number of modern devices are initially released with a pre-installed Bluetooth module, PCs running Windows remain the equipment least equipped with such modules. The main reason is that most computers are assembled from different components, and most often an adapter supporting this data transfer protocol must be installed separately.
There are two types of Bluetooth adapters: internal (motherboards) and external (connected to the USB “whistles” connector, visually similar to a classic flash drive). If your computer does not have such a channel for communication with external devices, but you feel the need for it, you can purchase an external adapter separately . Even a novice user can install, connect and configure it. How to choose such a device and how to connect it to a PC, we will describe below.
When choosing a Bluetooth adapter for your computer, we recommend that you pay attention to a few key options. One of the most important is the range of the wireless signal. Depending on how far from the PC are or can be the devices to which you want to connect, choose an adapter with the appropriate range. The maximum distance at which the adapter can establish a connection with devices directly depends on the version of the Bluetooth protocol that it supports. The higher the index of this version, the greater the range.
Also pay attention to the additional features of the adapter and its functionality. If you need, for example, a connection with audio devices, headphones or speakers, the adapter must support the A2DP protocol. It is specifically designed for high quality audio transmission, but is not supported by all adapters.
Features of Bluetooth versions and additional features
With the gradual development and refinement of the Bluetooth protocol, the developer of this technology continues to release newer and more advanced versions. When choosing an adapter, you should definitely pay attention to the version of the protocol it supports. The higher this value, the more functionality, range and energy efficiency the adapter has.
The maximum version to date has an index of 4.1 and allows you to establish a stable connection with devices located within a radius of 60 meters. This version has the most economical system of energy use, which is very important when connected to mobile devices running on battery power. Important advantages of the newest versions of Bluetooth are gradually increasing data transfer rates and automatic recovery of a lost connection.
If you purchase an adapter that supports the latest version of the protocol and the appropriate program is installed on a Windows PC to communicate with a specific device, the functionality of Bluetooth is greatly increased, and it can be used for a variety of purposes. The program for connecting with a smartphone or tablet allows you to wirelessly connect Windows and iOS or Android to transfer photos and access the Internet. A program compatible with your audio system will allow you to turn on music, control its playback and volume.
If your apartment is equipped with a smart home system, there is a special program that will allow you to adjust the brightness of the lighting or remotely turn on various household appliances. The functionality that you will get when using this data transfer technology is limited only by the number of devices in your home or office that support Bluetooth connectivity.
How to choose the right adapter
Based on all the information above, there are a few things you can do to help you make the right choice and purchase the Bluetooth adapter that best suits your needs. If you need to equip a stationary PC with support for this protocol, both an internal board and an external USB adapter will do.
Please note that the internal version may be more powerful and able to serve a wider radius than the external “whistle”. Check this point before buying. As for the rest of the parameters, there is not much difference between internal and external solutions. Their design and connection method will not affect the Bluetooth setup process in Windows in any way, nor will it affect the data transfer rate.
Connection and setup
When the adapter is selected and purchased, it remains to make the necessary settings for Windows and the computer in order to enable data transfer, as well as find and connect all the necessary devices. As a rule, regardless of the manufacturer of this PC component, after the first connection or reboot, the Windows system automatically recognizes the type of new device, its manufacturer, downloads and installs the necessary driver on its own, which allows you to enable Bluetooth. However, this will only allow you to find your gadgets and establish a connection with them. Some of them may require you to enter a security pin code to confirm the connection. In Bluetooth 4.1, the default password is “0000” (four zeros). However, after establishing a connection, you will need a program that will allow you to work with the connected device.
The website of the manufacturers of some of these adapters may contain a proprietary program that activates the main functions of this PC component. To connect to specific gadgets (smartphones and tablets), you may need a program or utility from the manufacturer of the devices themselves in order to use their functionality to the fullest.
For example, to enable contact synchronization between your phone and Windows, you need a program released by your phone manufacturer. In order to use the mobile Internet on your computer, accepted by your smartphone or tablet in modem mode , you may need modified drivers for the PC network card. To clarify all the capabilities of your devices and install specialized software, visit the official websites of manufacturers.
Outcome
If your computer still does not have a Bluetooth adapter, we definitely recommend that you think about buying one. With it, you can get rid of many cables and make it much easier to manage, use and configure many devices that are already in your office or apartment.