I often get asked the difference between a bluetooth dongle and a bluetooth adaptor. Are they the same think or are they different? Well, they are actually two different things, so what exactly are the differences, when might you need a dongle, and when you might need an adaptor if you are using a bluetooth stereo headset?
Here are a few pointers which should hopefully put you in a better position to know which device you need and which one you want to buy.
Bluetooth Dongle
A bluetooth dongle is a dedicated USB key that plugs into the PC or the Mac’s USB socket. This dongle basically gives your computer bluetooth capability, which is good because it can be used not just for transmitting audio from your computer to your headset, but for various other purposes two. If you plug a bluetooth dongle into your PC, you will not only be able to connect your computer to your mobile phone, but you will also be able to connect it to other computers, printers and various peripheral devices that have bluetooth capability.
A bluetooth dongle is great for syncing data between your computer and your mobile phone without the need of a cable. Another benefit is that these dongles are usually very easy to install, you just plug them in and they are usually self detecting, so unless you are running an old operating system, there should be no drivers to install.
Bluetooth Adaptor
A bluetooth adaptor on the other hand, connects on from the audio out socket, usually via a stereo minijack, and actually converts the audio to the bluetooth protocol so it can be transmitted to your headset. The great thing about bluetooth adapters is that they can work with pretty much any audio device, such as legacy MP3 players or even cassette players (do those still exist?).
With a bluetooth audio adaptor, there is no software to install. You simply plug the adaptor into your audio device and away you go. There are various models available in shops and from online suppliers, including ones from Iogear, Belkin and Scosche.
If you are planning to buy you a bluetooth dongle or a bluetooth adaptor, make sure you check your devices thoroughly first because you may actually not need one. Some bluetooth stereo headsets actually come with a dongle and an adaptor included, so check before you spend your money. Also, make sure you get the right adapter for your devices. Although most dongles and adapters are fairly your universal, it’s always worth double checking that whatever you buy will work with the gear you already have.
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