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Bluetooth waking up


Sat Oct 14, 2000 - 3:49 PM EDT - By James Hromadka

Bluetooth, which has been getting a little long in the tooth, may finally be shaping up. InnTechnology will be demoing wireless guest amenities at the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino during Fall Comdex 2000 from November 13-17. From the press release:

The invitation-only demonstration will showcase "real-world" Bluetooth applications in action. Beginning in The Venetian Hotel lobby, InnTechnology will demonstrate wireless guest "check-in" using a Handspring Visor Deluxe Personal Digital Assistant equipped with a BlueConnect(TM) expansion module by WIDCOMM and Bluetooth Access Points (provided by TROY XCD, a subsidiary of TROY Group). Conveniently, the Visor Deluxe will also provide directions to the specified guestroom and act as a virtual "key" - unlocking the guestroom door via Bluetooth radio link. Once inside The Venetian guestroom, the demonstration of wireless file transfer between the Visor Deluxe and an IBM ThinkPad T20 series (equipped with a Bluetooth PC card from IBM) will occur. This will then be followed by a demonstration of TROY Group wireless printing, via Bluetooth, to an existing HP OfficeJet 520 multifunction printer/fax/scanner/copier that InnTechnology installed as standard equipment in each of The Venetian's 3,036 guestrooms.

Widcomm will be part of the demonstration. Ironically, I was just thinking about this during my tenure in Dallas last week. The Stoneleigh had a system so I could look up the charges to my room, and although it was a nice touch, the interface was clunky because I had to use numbers to select items. It would have been great to use the Visor to access these features and order room service. Bluetooth has so many possibilities -- I just hope it gets here in time. Discuss this news item here.