Wireless technology allows information to be transferred between devices without the use of wires. It can be transferred across long distances, such as over a radio transmission or deep space, or it can be transmitted over short ranges such as between a cell phone and its earpiece or a wireless mouse and keyboard. It is most commonly used in mobile devices such as two-way radios, personal digital assistants and cellular phones, as well as in cordless telephones and personal computer peripherals. Wireless technology also includes systems such as global positioning systems (GPS), garage door openers and satellite television, but it can also include less-commonly known technologies like Bluetooth, infrared and ultrasonic communication.
The most widely used form of wireless technology is radio communication. This uses electromagnetic waves to transmit data over a set amount of time, which can be as short as a few meters for Bluetooth or as long as millions of kilometers for radio communications in outer space. Other methods of wireless technology involve light or sound, but they typically have limited range and are only applicable over a line of sight between the two points.
The most common example of wireless technology is WiFi networking, which uses radio waves in the 2.4GHz band and is compatible with many different wireless computer devices. Another example is Bluetooth, which uses a low frequency range to offer longer battery life and higher data transfer rates than traditional FM broadcasts.
