Bluetooth Devices

What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that operates in the unregulated 2.4GHz range. It is typically used to create a WPAN that allows electronic devices in close proximity to one another to communicate. The most well known type of Bluetooth device is undoubtedly the headset. It's small, portable, convenient, and is great for confusing the hell out of other customers in the checkout line at the grocery store!

Bose Bluetooth Headset

Because the Xoom (and most other tablets) are Bluetooth capable, users are able to interact with their tablets via a plethora of wireless peripherals. Whether it's a keyboard, mouse, game controller, speaker set, or headphones, a Bluetooth device is a handy way to get added value from a mobile computing device.

Setting up Bluetooth Devices
Bluetooth peripherals are securely connected to one another via a process called bonding. The bond is achieved through a process called pairing. Bonding allows Bluetooth devices to recognize each other, and once a bond is made, the devices will connect to each other automatically.

On the Xoom, pairing a Bluetooth device to create a bond is simple:

1. Follow the instructions that came with your Bluetooth device to put it into Pairing Mode
2. Open the App Drawer
3. Select Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> Bluetooth
4. Select Bluetooth Settings
5. Tap the Bluetooth checkbox
6. Select Find Nearby Devices
7. Choose the device that you want to pair. The name of the device may take a short while to come up on the device list. It may initially be named the MAC address of the device (something like 00:1A:D7:94:A6:27)
8. You may be prompted for a password or key, which is typically 0000 or 1234 (there may be a different key provided with your device).

For the more visual learners, here's a video that details how to pair a particular Bluetooth device, the Logitech Tablet Keyboard for Android 3.0+, to the Xoom

So, for those interested in Bluetooth peripheral devices for the Xoom,
the following have all have been tested for compatibility:

Motorola Wireless Keyboard
Price: Around $40.00
Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5
Features:

• Designed for compatibility with the Xoom 
• QWERTY letter layout
• Good key size and spacing
• Android-specific hotkeys
  
  

Logitech Tablet Keyboard for Android 3.0+

Price: Around $50.00

Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5

Features:

• QWERTY letter layout
• Comes with carrying case that doubles as a tablet stand
• Media control hotkeys

Motorola S9-HD Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

Price: Around $50.00

Amazon rating: 3.5 out of 5

Features:

• On-ear music controls
• Can be used as a wireless music headset and a phone headset
• 6 hours of music play time on a single charge

Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000

Price: Around $30.00

Amazon rating: 3.5 out of 5

Features:

• It's a mouse -- and it works with the Xoom. 'Nuff said.

Nintendo Wii Remote Controller

Price: Between $25.00 and $40.00 (depending on model and seller)

Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Features:

• Able to connect to Android devices via the Wiimote Controller app
• Great non-standard input device

(Note: The full list of Motorola approved Xoom peripherals, both Bluetooth and wired, can be found here)