Why not make the bluetooth chip internal?

westonm

Is there some reason Apple couldn't make the bluetooth connector internal? Since they sell it for only $49 it must cost them around $20-30 . I think it would be a nice little buzzword to have on all the Macs.

<img src="confused.gif" border="0">



[ 03-20-2002: Message edited by: GolferGuy1 ]</p>

ghost_user_name

Because they're have to redesign the motherboards again and induce further delays. I think that little chip hanging out is a fine idea for now. Maybe it'll be internalized on the "rev B" iMac 2s and when (if??) Apple finally updates the towers.

paul

Also, apple doenst make those little connectors.... D-Link does... give them time--it will come.

applenut

[quote]Originally posted by Paul:

<strong>Also, apple doenst make those little connectors.... D-Link does... give them time--it will come.</strong><hr></blockquote>



so, use the D-Link chip. Apple doesn't make the majority of chips on their motherboards anyways

buonrotto

They will eventually.

brussell

[quote]Topic: Why not make the bluetooth chip internal? <hr></blockquote>Because they'd probably raise the price of Macs by $100 to include it.

hhogan

[quote]Originally posted by BRussell:

<strong>Because they'd probably raise the price of Macs by $100 to include it.

</strong><hr></blockquote>



<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

eman

[quote]Originally posted by BRussell:

<strong>Because they'd probably raise the price of Macs by $100 to include it.

</strong><hr></blockquote>



<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> Probably.

majormatt

Those things probaly cost a dollar or two to make.

zo

would a an airport/bluetooth card be possible? IE buy ONE card that could have both on it?



Regarding that keychain thing... would be nice if it could at least bend upwards and not stick out so dang much.

solo

I heard that bluetooth seriously interfears with airport. can anybody conferm this or am i just nuts? <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />

airsluf

zo

[quote]Originally posted by solo:

<strong>I heard that bluetooth seriously interfears with airport. can anybody conferm this or am i just nuts? <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>



If you read on the Apple Bluetooth site, you will see that its a new implementation, 802.15 or something like that, that is totally bckwards compatible with original Bluetooth spec. Guess the AirPort and Bluetooth interferences have been resolved

amorph

[quote]Originally posted by AirSluf:

<strong>As to the original question: There hasn't been a motherboard revision yet so it's easiest for now to just add it via an already available 3rd party plug. Later they can build it in with a actual board/casing revision, for much less overall cost.</strong><hr></blockquote>



And, it means that, unlike with AirPort, several years' worth of Macs won't be left behind. When Apple does make Bluetooth standard (and they will, I'm sure) a raftload of peripherals will follow, and this little dongle will ensure that you can buy them and use them with your tangerine iBook or your Bondi iMac, or even your old 8500 if you have a USB card. Very cool.

i like macs

does this thing work with mice/keyboards? it would be cool to plug one into a mouse and another into my monitor.

nebagakid

It probably would not work with your monitor, I just don't think there could be a wireless monitor from the computer to the monitory. Just don't think that could happen. It is about only 1MB/s, so this could not replace anything that we already have. The best would be for Palms, and maybe a replacement to the Infrared that Apple may be phasing out from it's protable lines. <img src="graemlins/surprised.gif" border="0" alt="[Surprised]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> :cool:

airsluf

brussell

[quote]Originally posted by AirSluf:

<strong>The BlueTooth adaptor does not make current peripherals wireless.



It is the antenna for other BlueTooth equipped gadgets you already have or are going to buy in the future. If you don't already have a BT gadget, it would be a wasted $50.



The bit about using it on keyboards or monitors just means you can put it in an available USB port there. Not that it will auto-magically make the old peripheral wireless.</strong><hr></blockquote>But what if you put an antenna in your keyboard, and another in your computer. What would it take to convert an existing keyboard to wireless? Or is that just impossible?

mjpaci

BRUSSELL:



If you have one in your powered USB port on your Mac and one in your un-powered port on your keyboard, where the hell is the power going to come from?



Most BT devices are things with power: Palms, Cell Phones, etc. Any wireless device like a mouse or keyboard will also require power of some sort.



--Mike



[ 03-27-2002: Message edited by: mjpaci ]</p>