Sunday, September 28, 2003
Now, THIS Is The Way To Do Bluetooth
Posted by Janak Parekh in "THOUGHT" @ 04:20 PM
Logitech recently announced their MX900 mouse -- the same mouse as the MX700, but using Bluetooth. They also have a Cordless Comfort Bluetooth keyboard. So, how does this differ from Microsoft's offerings?
Logitech has designed a comprehensive Bluetooth site that answers every detailed question about their product -- for example, by just clicking on the FAQ, you can find out that they use the Widcomm drivers for their Bluetooth hub (which is, BTW, intelligently integrated into the recharging cradle of the mouse), that they don't use the Windows XP drivers because they're lacking in profiles, and what kind of laptop Bluetooth solutions would work with the mouse and keyboard (any one that supports HID, at least in theory).
But it doesn't stop there. They've gone to the trouble of creating a compatibility matrix between their Bluetooth hub and a substantial set of third-party devices, including cell phones, PDAs (including the iPAQ Pocket PCs), printers, and headsets. Not only that, they include HOWTOs where appropriate.
Now, compare this to Microsoft's Bluetooth hardware. There is no discussion of the Bluetooth aspects of the product -- all you're told is that you need Windows XP and an available USB port. In fact, a lot of people have complained that Microsoft's drivers don't support the serial profile, so that even Microsoft-based Pocket PCs don't ActiveSync with their Microsoft Bluetooth dongle. :| Some people have managed to get others' Widcomm drivers to work, but that's hardly a solution for the masses.
Personally, I think there's no comparison, and Logitech deserves some serious kudos in trying to usefully push the Bluetooth standard, and Bluetooth interoperability, forward. If more manufacturers went to this effort, I think BT adoption would be far greater than it is today. Combine that with the fact that the Logitech MX mice are, IMHO, the very best cordless mice available today, and there's simply no comparison.
Logitech has designed a comprehensive Bluetooth site that answers every detailed question about their product -- for example, by just clicking on the FAQ, you can find out that they use the Widcomm drivers for their Bluetooth hub (which is, BTW, intelligently integrated into the recharging cradle of the mouse), that they don't use the Windows XP drivers because they're lacking in profiles, and what kind of laptop Bluetooth solutions would work with the mouse and keyboard (any one that supports HID, at least in theory).
But it doesn't stop there. They've gone to the trouble of creating a compatibility matrix between their Bluetooth hub and a substantial set of third-party devices, including cell phones, PDAs (including the iPAQ Pocket PCs), printers, and headsets. Not only that, they include HOWTOs where appropriate.
Now, compare this to Microsoft's Bluetooth hardware. There is no discussion of the Bluetooth aspects of the product -- all you're told is that you need Windows XP and an available USB port. In fact, a lot of people have complained that Microsoft's drivers don't support the serial profile, so that even Microsoft-based Pocket PCs don't ActiveSync with their Microsoft Bluetooth dongle. :| Some people have managed to get others' Widcomm drivers to work, but that's hardly a solution for the masses.
Personally, I think there's no comparison, and Logitech deserves some serious kudos in trying to usefully push the Bluetooth standard, and Bluetooth interoperability, forward. If more manufacturers went to this effort, I think BT adoption would be far greater than it is today. Combine that with the fact that the Logitech MX mice are, IMHO, the very best cordless mice available today, and there's simply no comparison.
