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Existing bluetooth communication applications:
SMan: http://renegade.w3xs.com/droll.htm http://web.archive.org/web/20030425093930/ http://renegade.w3xs.com/droll.htm Wikipedia claims that SMan was the first bluejacking software for a smartphone.1 Given the easy to edit nature of wikipedia articles this is easy to dispute, but an interesting claim nevertheless. SMan ran on the Symbian OS, which is popular with Sony Ericsson smartphones. The homepage for SMan itself has since gone done, so I assume development has ceased. Luckily the Internet archives 'wayback machine'2 has some of the site archived and helps reveal some of the inner workings of the application. The authors goals did not limit themselves to merely bluetooth messaging, but unlocking the full capabilities of the users smartphone. The application attempted to create a central utility from which all the phones useful features could be operated.  The user interface has been well thought out, it is simple enough not to be confusing, yet complex enough to give a lot of information at a given time. Because of the goals of the project this has to be the case. I assume the application would be run over, the existing user interface, acting as a substitute. Unfortunately none of the screens show the bluetooth messaging features, but the status bar at the bottom indicates bluetooth has been incorporated, or at least it's status considered, due to the bluetooth icon on the status bar. I have spoken to a user of the SMan software about the bluetooth functions, and they inform me that SMan is configurable much like BlueJ, another bluetooth messaging application reviewed later. The SMan application searches for bluetooth devices in range at intervals specified by the user, and when it find one it broadcasts a pre-written message. 1 Bluejacking 2005 Retrieved 7th November 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluejacking 2 The Wayback Machine 2005 Retrieved 7th November 2005 http://www.archive.org/web/web.php
Meeting Point:
http://www.net-cell.com/MP/index.html Back to the top This application is designed specifically to aid individuals trying to find each other. The site goes on to say, in response to it's single message capability, Once it does its thing, you are supposed to physically walk a few steps and say 'hi'.. In this respect it is very similar to the artifact i wish to create, a tool which encourages people to communicate verbally in the real world, after the initial contact has been made. The meeting point site is relatively informative, but the pdf manual is essential if you want to use the software as the GUI is somewhat overwhelming as the following compilation of screenshots shows.  I am unsure whether the project is still active, as the last update to the site was May 2005, merely extending the expiration date. Meeting point was the only software I found that also catered for the windows platform as well as mobile operating systems. I downloaded the windowsXP version but it refused to recognise my bluetooth dongle, this has been relayed to the makers, and I currently waiting to hear from them.
BlueJ:
http://lhubacek.avonet.cz/bluej/index.htm Back to the top This application requires the device to be colour and running PalmOS5. The site itself is rather lacking in detail about the goals of the project, but there are three screenshots of it in action. One screenshot in particular gives a lot of clues and insight as to what the application does. The most useful screenshot shows what appears to be a configuration screen. Notice how the author of the application has given the user options as to which sense the device should use to draw attention to itself in the form of check boxes 'LED', 'Vibration' and 'Sound'.  From what i can deduce from the screenshot, the device will search every x seconds for computers/PDAs and phones, dependent on the user preferences. Once the application finds a device in range it will transmit a message, again specified by the user. I am unsure whether the notification options are for a device being detected, a message being transmitted, or a message being received. Regardless, at some point the user will be notified that application has fulfilled a certain criteria. The website makes no reference to both devices having to BlueJ installed, so i would assume the message is sent as a standard contact card which is, as far as i know, accepted by all bluetooth enabled devices which already contain contact details. The latest version of BlueJ was released on the 7th of October 2005, making it a fairly up to date project. However the basic website with no forum makes it difficult for me to guage the products popularity. The current version is tagged as 'unstable', which might explain why I was unable to download a copy. I have emailed the author asking them if they would be willing to talk to me about my and theirs project, as of this moment there has been no reply. Update: The author replied to my email, informing me that the project was still very new and had just been mentioned in an article about the best PalmOS applications in the Czech Republic. I have asked for his permission to publish his email and am awaiting a reply. Update: Permission to publish the emails has been granted: Hello Stuart, actually my project is in the begining and there's only few people who know my app. Today was posted a story about my app on the best site about PalmOS apps in Czech Republic, so I get some posts via comments. But this is my first email I have recieved from user of BlueJ, so thanks ;) Martin And my reply has been included in the response below: Could i please have a link to the article about best PalmOS applications in the Czech Rep? > Maybe I wrote it wrong. I mean that http://pajda.cz/ is the most famous site in our country. I was wondering does BlueJ send it's message in the form of a contact card ? > Yes, BlueJ sends messages in format of contact card. (Try to bluejack your computer and save that message as contact (*.vcf), then open it in the notepad and you'll see the format of the message) Martin Lastly I asked a few, more project specific questions: Do you think your software, and bluejacking in general could be used to help strangers break the ice and talk to each other face to face? > I think that bluejacking will be everytime the same like today. But there are many other names of activities which people do over BT. For example I read story in newspapers where was written that in London are people "toothing" ;) It means that men and women can meet each other and usualy have sex ;) Or do you feel the anonymity of bluejackers is something that will never change? > Yes, that's true. But sometimes bluejackers explain the "victim" what is bluejacking. You can read more here http://www.bluejackq.com/code-of-ethics.shtml and you can find there many other information for your project. Sorry for my english (mainly tenses ;)) Martin Whilst it's hard to say for sure due to the language barrier, I think Martin feels that bluejacking will always be bluejacking, the sending of unsolicited messages via bluetooth. He refers to the many other uses for bluetooth, such as toothing. He is helping me understand bluejacking is one use of bluetooth, as is toothing and bluesnarfing. What I am trying to achieve doesn't quite fit into any of these titles and maybe I should coin my own term for the encouraging of face to face communication after an initial bluetooth prompt. Perhaps Blueface would be appropriate. The link given on the bluejackers code of ethics is something I missed in my initial research, but it is a very good indicator of what is acceptable conduct when bluejacking. Bluejacking Code of Ethics Definitions: a) The 'bluejacker' is the individual carrying out the bluejack. b) The 'victim' is the individual receiving the bluejack. Code of Ethics 1.1) Bluejackers will only send messages/pictures. They will never try to 'hack' a device for the purpose of copying or modifying any files on any device or upload any executable files. By hacking a device you are commiting an offence under the computer misuse act 1990, which states it is an offence to obtain unauthorised access to any computer. changes in this law soon will cover all mobile devices including phones. 1.2) Any such messages or pictures sent will not be of an insulting, libelous or pornographic nature and will be copyright free or copyrighted by the sender. Any copyright protected images/sound files will only be sent with the written consent of the copyright holder. 1.3) If no interest is shown by the recipient after 2 messages the bluejacker will desist and move on. 1.4) The bluejacker will restrict their activity to 10 messages maximum unless in exceptional circumstances e.g. the continuous exchange of messages between bluejacker & victim where the victim is willing to participate, the last message being a final comment or parting sentiment (perhaps include www.bluejackq.com web address). 1.5) If the Bluejacker senses that he/she is causing distress rather than mirth to the recipient they will immediately decease all activity towards them. 1.6) If a bluejacker is caught 'in the act' he/she will be as co-operative as possible and not hide any details of their activity (honesty is the best policy). They will also point the party in question to this document held at: www.bluejackq.com/codeofethics.asp 1 Unfortunately these are not laws, merely guidelines, so there could still be malicious bluejackers out there. 1 Bluejacking Code of Ethics 2005 Retrieved 7th November 2005 http://www.bluejackq.com/code-of-ethics.shtml
MobiLuck:
http://www.mobiluck.com/home_en.php Back to the top This is by far the most organised, well executed and supported bluetooth communication application my research has uncovered so far. There is an active forum, mobiluck 'hotspots' have been declared in over 30 countries, and the site is informative. Though without creating any false data, from what I can see you do not need to register in order to declare a MobiLuck hotspot. The MobiLuck application was named application of the week in May 2005 by Series60.1 The MobiLuck package is downloadable for a variety of different handsets in a variety of different languages. The homepage boasts the full mobiluck has the following features: -Detect all nearby Bluetooth devices. Your cell phone rings or vibrates when it finds one. -Send messages and photos for free to friends or strangers with no need of their phone numbers. -Hear when you receive a Bluetooth message and reply to the sender! -Send your profile and receive profiles from other MobiLuckers including their photo. -Send MobiLuck to other people so you'll meet more and more MobiLuckers.  However, with such great functionality comes a catch. The free version of mobiluck only allows you detect and store the bluetooth devices in range. If you want to send/receive messages and exchange your profile you are required to buy the full package at a prices which varies between phone models. 1 Application Of The Week MobiLuck 2005 Retrieved 7th November 2005 http://www.series60.com/applications? action=showNewsArticle&newsId=175&hot=1
Nokia sensor:
http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,,73651,00.html Back to the top The first and only project I can find which is being driven by one of the phone companies themselves. The Nokia sensor software is almost exactly what I had envisaged for my artifact. Users of the software have personal profiles stored on their mobile. They can search for other sensor users and upon finding them can view their profiles and decide if they want to send them a message. The site itself has a flash animation showing how Nokia imagine/intend for users to use the service.  As you'd expect for a large company such as Nokia the interface is very polished. It looks easy enough to use, and the site has a comprehensive guide on setting up the software, maintaining your profile and sending messages. Whilst the sensor software seems to be everything anyone could need to contact the stranger to your left at the bus stop there are drawbacks. Currently you can only download the software for ten makes of mobile, all of which are Nokia. Also, as with many other programs like this, both parties have to have the software installed to be able to use it. |
