Tag Archive for: technology

Charge It Right – Power Banks

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Power banks and charging devices have become very popular this year as a way to keep your tech items charged while away from home.

But trying to figure out which device will power your needs can be confusing. Thanks to one of our favorite suppliers, Gemline, here’s an easy-to-read chart explaining what you need to know.

Simply put – find your device, note the mAh it requires, then purchase a power bank with at least that amount of charging power (if you want to be able to fully charge that one device).

If you need to fully charge more than one device on a single charge, you’ll need to add the mAh’s to find the total amount you will need.

If your power bank contains only a fraction of the total mAh your device requires, then it can charge your device, just not fully.

 

Bluetooth – Just the Facts (And Some Theories)

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We encounter it all the time these days – Bluetooth. Yet, do you really know what it’s all about? And why the heck is it called that?

Here’s some quick facts you can pull out next time you have a bar bet:

 

  • Why is it called Bluetooth?
    • The developer (Jim Kardach) suggested the name Bluetooth in 1997 as a nod to the Scandinavian 10th century King Harald Bluetooth. The King unified Denmark and Norway, like the technology unites various devices.
  • What is that symbol in the logo?
    • Again, a nod to the Norse. It’s the Nordic runes for the initials “HB.”
  • What is Bluetooth?
    • It’s a technology for connecting devices like computers, speakers, phones, mice, and headsets wirelessly to one another.
  • What is pairing?
    • This is the initial connecting of the devices using a passkey, which is then stored.
  • What is connected?
    • When the devices are able to communicate with one another, they are connected.
  • What kind of range does Bluetooth have?
    • Class 2 Bluetooth, which is most common, has a range of about 33 feet
And now some extra credit, for those of you that really love trivia, and history:
  • How did King Harold get the nickname, “Bluetooth?”
    • 3 Possible Reasons:
      • He had a bad tooth, which was black, and the word “blue” meant “dark.” (most common theory)
      • He was called “Thegn” in England, which meant chief. Since “blue” meant “dark”, his nickname was really “dark chieftain.”
      • He wore blue clothing, which in those time was the most expensive, thus signifying his royal stature.