Some handhelds include a built-in Bluetooth^® connection that allows them to interface with Bluetooth-enabled desktop computers, mobile phones and LANs. The Bluetooth application on your handheld is a single source for configuring and managing your Bluetooth connections.

Bluetooth Card? The instructions below refer to a built-in Bluetooth connection available with some handhelds. For help with the Palm™ Bluetooth Card, see the Palm Bluetooth Card support page instead.

1. First, configure at least one Bluetooth connection:

   • Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone instructions

   • Bluetooth-enabled desktop computer instructions

   Once you have a Bluetooth connection set up, come back to this article and proceed.

    

2. On your handheld, access the Applications launcher.

    

3. Launch the Bluetooth application.

    

4. From this screen, you can manage all your Bluetooth connections:

   

    

   • On/Off: Turn Bluetooth On or Off by tapping the buttons at the top of the screen (turning off Bluetooth is a good way to conserve battery life, but don't forget to turn it back on when you need it).

      

   • Device Name: Change the name of your handheld as it will appear to other devices. If you don't specify a Bluetooth device name, the Bluetooth application will use your HotSync^® user name as the Bluetooth device name (what's a HotSync user name?). However, changing the Bluetooth device name will not affect your HotSync user name. The two are independent monikers.

      

   • Discoverable: Define whether you want your handheld to broadcast its presence to other devices. If you're concerned about privacy, you may wish to turn this option off. Changing the discoverable status of your handheld does not affect its ability to connect with other devices it detects.

      

   • Network Service: Choose the network to which you wish to connect. This list contains all the Bluetooth network services you've already defined. For example, you may want to choose your mobile phone when you're away from the office, and your desktop computer access point when you're at your desk.

      

   • Connect: Connect to the network by tapping this button.

    

5. For additional options, access the Menu launcher:

   • Disable device name cache: The device name cache keeps a list of devices available to your handheld the last time you connected, and displays this list when you set up a new connection. To speed up the discovery process, you can enable the device name cache. But if you enable this feature, you may miss new devices that recently have been added to your environment. Disabling the name cache slows down the discovery process, but ensures that you're always seeing all discoverable devices in your environment.

      

   • Allow wakeup: This option lets devices that you have established a trusted connection with wake up your handheld, even if it's currently turned off (the Bluetooth radio must be turned on). To make your battery last longer, disable this feature.

      

    

6. How do you know if Bluetooth is on, without launching the Bluetooth application? When Bluetooth is on, a Bluetooth icon appears at the top of the Applications launcher.

   

    

You can also manage your Bluetooth connections using the Preferences application. The options are the same as above.