Although this tip is specifically for Palm's Windows Mobile Treos, it should apply equally well to other devices built on Microsoft's operating system for wireless devices.

Bluetooth Shortcourse: Bluetooth is an open specification and standard for allowing a wide variety of devices to communicate through a short-range (up to 30-foot distance) wireless connection. It works for both voice and data communications.

So, in effect, it allows you to link your smartphone to a headset (for example) wirelessly where wires were once required. In addition to wireless headsets (both of the standard and stereo variety with more recent editions of the specification), you might leverage Bluetooth to connect your smartphone to a handsfree carkit, GPS unit, a PC, etc.

First, before two Bluetooth wireless devices can connect, they must establish a partnership. Some accessories refer to this as pairing or forming a trusted partnership.

To pair your Windows Mobile smartphone with an accessory:

1. On your Bluetooth accessory, turn on the Bluetooth feature and make the device discoverable. Refer to the accessory's documentation to learn how.
2. On your smartphone: press Start. Select settings, then Connections, then Bluetooth.
3. Check the boxes for "Turn on Bluetooth" and "Make this device discoverable."
4. Select the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
5. Tap "New Partnership" to search for other Bluetooth wireless devices.
6. You'll see a list of available devices in range. Highlight the device you want, then select Next.
7. If the device has a connection option, it will appear on the next screen. Select Finish.

Now the devices will see each other when they're turned on and within range.

Here's a general guide to connect you device with a Bluetooth accessory once they've been paired:

1. Put your Bluetooth accessory into Discoverable mode. Refer to the accessory's documentation to learn how to do this.
2. On your smartphone, press Start. Select Settings.
3. Go to the Connections tab, and select Bluetooth.
4. Check the boxes for "Turn on Bluetooth" and "Make this device discoverable."
5. Go to the Devices tab.
6. Select "New partnership ..." Your smartphone will begin searching for other devices.
7. You'll see a list of available devices within range who are in Discoverable mode. Highlight the one you want, then select Next.
8. The Bluetooth accessory may have connection options, such as a Passkey. Get the Passkey from the device's documentation.
9. Now your smartphone will see the Bluetooth accessory when turned on and within range.

How to delete a Bluetooth pairing

If you no longer want to automatically connect with a device, go to the Bluetooth Settings screen and select Devices. Highlight the connection you want to remove, press and hold Center, and then select Delete.

Click here to head over to Palm's Web site to get more specifics about how to leverage Bluetooth to transfer photos, documents and other items to a PC; beam Calendar appointments, Contacts, Tasks, Memos to a handheld or PC; make calls through a Bluetooth headset or car kit; use a GPS device; and ActiveSync with a Windows PC. Client-server architecture purports to make enable users to dictate up to 160 words per minute.