Several years on from inception, Bluetooth technology remains talked about in terms of its potential rather than current uses.

But Bluetooth's capacity to allow users of computers to make cordless connections is no further away than the purchase of an appropriate device.

The latest offering from 3Com is one such product. The Wireless Bluetooth USB Adapter brings short-range wireless communications to any desktop or notebook PC.

Being a USB device, it would be fair to expect a quick, simple installation and set-up. Sadly, only half this expectation holds true.

Installation is effortless - just slot the marker pen-sized unit into a USB socket - though the resulting 4in protrusion might present a problem if your PC is housed flush against a wall.

However, the software set-up is like watching treacle flow: it crawls and crawls. It's not complicated, just long, especially for an uncomplicated device.

The unit repeatedly scans for nearby Bluetooth-equipped devices in the vicinity (in this instance, about 10m in any direction) and maintains a list of those detected.

This can be viewed by clicking an icon that floats in the Taskbar.

The supplied Connection Manager software provides the interface for conducting cordless communications at data-transfer speeds of up to 1Mbps.

Here is also the place to define 'bonds' between trusted devices, preventing unauthorised access from other any Bluetooth passers-by.

This is a reasonable device but unless you have a Bluetooth mobile phone or handheld computer, you'll have no use for it just yet.

DETAILS

Contact: 3Com 01442 438000
www.3com.co.uk