What is a Bluetooth Webcam?

A Bluetooth® webcam is an electronic gadget that connects to a computer wirelessly, via Bluetooth®. Webcams often connect to a computer through a USB port, but this type of webcam only needs to charge through a USB port, and is then portable. Of course, each model may be different, but a Bluetooth® webcam may only need to be within 30 feet (approximately 9 meters) of a computer in order to transmit video.

Of course, it will be necessary for the computer to have Bluetooth® capability as well. One might choose to use a Bluetooth® webcam in order to be more comfortable when talking on a Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call, or just to allow more portability and ease of use. In addition, this type of webcam may also be used for a security camera that can be accessed remotely.

A Bluetooth® webcam may have some downsides as well. Because it is wireless, the framerate is likely to be lower than on a traditional wired or built-in webcam, which can make the video appear slightly jumpy. The framerate is often referred to as frames per second, or fps. The resolution and sound quality might be slightly lower as well. For many people, particularly those who use this type of webcam simply for conversations with friends, family, or business associates, a lower video quality may not be an issue. But for those who use a webcam to film videos, it might be a problem.

In addition, a Bluetooth® webcam is generally much more expensive than a regular webcam, and there are much fewer options available. Battery life is typically only a few hours, and the webcam may be slightly heavy on the computer's system resources. Because this is a relatively new product, this type of webcam will likely continue to change and improve as consumers offer feedback to manufacturers.

A Bluetooth® webcam may be found in stores or online, and it may be used with a desktop or laptop computer that is Bluetooth® compatible. It will likely be necessary to install additional software or drivers in order to use the webcam with VoIP software, to edit any video that has been recorded, or to save it for later use. Before purchasing a Bluetooth® webcam, it may be a good idea to read reviews online to determine how well a particular camera works, and if other consumers are satisfied with their purchases.