Bluetooth is one of the most “spoken about” technology. People enjoy mobility and freedom and any standard that brings these things closer to the final user is highlighted by media and manufacturers. Bluetooth opens a new mobility wave because it’s not a computer exclusive standard. Bluetooth powered devices can be used in most domestic areas and enable refrigerators, wash machines, stoves, etc to communicate between themselves. Several years ago a lot of magazines announced the Java enabled home domestic devices, but the latest years proved that Java is still pretty much reserved to the computer world. Fortunately the Bluetooth impact on the market was much powerful. Short time after the standard deployment we can buy a lot of Bluetooth enabled devices.
Today I will review two devices that bring Bluetooth functionality to computers that lack the Bluetooth capabilities. Most new notebook computers integrate Bluetooth, but for desktop computers Bluetooth is not very common. In order to bring Bluetooth to desktops, the Taiwanese company X-Micro manufactures two products that connect to the USB port and provide Bluetooth interface.

The Bluetooth connectivity products manufactured by X-Micro are marketed as “USB Dongle”. Actually there is only one product, but in two versions. The product class differentiates the devices by the operating range. But I will talk later about these, let’s take a first look to the products.

First look

The USB Dongle is shipped in a pretty interesting box, a little bit wider than a regular CD-ROM case. Inside the box there can be found a CD media, one quick installation guide and the X-Micro Bluetooth device. On the box is printed a short compatibility and functions check list. The quick installation guide provided is not the most inspired I have ever seen, but fortunately the device installation can be done in several minutes and doesn't involve amazing skills.

Bluetooth USB Dongle product pictures

The Dongle devices are small, even smaller than a memory USB stick. For a better overview of the device's size take a look to the picture below.

X-Micro USB Bluetooth Dongle Class 1 and Class 2 products picture

The dimensions are not important in most scenarios, except for notebook users who often appreciate small sizes. One of the most important parameters that incommodes someone who uses a memory stick is the device's length. Fortunately the Dongle Class 2 length is less than five centimeters and the Dongle Class 1 is less than eight centimeters so that there are no real chances for a user to feel uncomfortable when working with the Bluetooth Dongle.

The product in the picture is the Class 2 Bluetooth USB Dongle. As you can see the Dongle is blue, like a true Bluetooth should be. The Class 1 Bluetooth USB Dongle is made out of blue transparent plastic.