Installing the Bluetooth software (BlueSoleil) to XP was uneventful. After installation, XP was able to detect the dongle and allocated it to COM port 16.
Next, using my PDA I ‘discovered’ my desktop. I guess I could have done it the other way around, but the main thing was that pairing went off without a hitch. Not much different to pairing a headset, except you need to enter a password to both devices. If the pairing is correct, you should see ‘Activesync’ as a service available on your paired desktop.
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I then started up Activesync on my desktop. In connection settings I chose to allow connections to COM 16.
Finally I started up Activesync on the pda. Under Menu I chose ‘Connect via Bluetooth’.
The PDA found the desktop first go and connected, but I noticed it did not synchronise. In the end I found I needed to click on the ‘sync’ button….I guess that’s what it’s there for! The pda will stay connected after the Activesync is complete. You can explore your files on the pda via Bluetooth while it is still connected.
Pleasantly, I found it to be a relatively painless experience in setting up. In the past I seemed to run in to many problems when setting up Bluetooth on the Desktop. Not just problems with connections and file transfers, but I used to experience crashes and conflicts as well.
To be honest I find syncing with a USB cable convenient, as I get to charge the pda at the same time. I was surprised though, that setup for Bluetooth sync was hassle free and the synchronization process was just as efficient.
Anyone else here synchronize with Bluetooth? Is it a useful application or is it just a novel way to synchronise? One instance where I did find it useful was when I first started writing this little article. I did it on the Atom at first. I wasn’t in the same room as the desktop at that time, but when I saved it I was able to sync with Bluetooth and got a copy of the file on the PC.
The Bluetooth Dongle
I hope this article will encourage you to try out Bluetooth!