If ever there was a revolution happening in recent times, it is in the field of communication, thanks to the technology support.  I remember times when I had to visit the post office, book a call, and wait for a long time to speak to my office in the early seventies.  During the call, at every three minute interval, there would be a voice telling me “three minutes” sir. Then I had to say “continue” or the call would be cut off.   Time has changed all that. With updates and new versions coming every few months (or sooner) the communications field is on the fast track.

The latest “in thing” is Bluetooth. Have you ever wondered why a well dressed man is suddenly holding his ear in the middle of the pavement, and why he squeezes a small black device in his ear?  Don’t think he has gone deaf in one ear.  He is taking a call on his mobile phone.  No that black device is not the mobile phone; we have yet to reach that stage.  He is switching on his Bluetooth device to take the call hands-free.

With mobile phones equipped with this facility, one can take the call hands-free by activating the application and the black device in the ear is receiving signals of course through wireless technology from the mobile phone-the so called Wi-Fi.  If you are a doctor travelling in a car the device is really helpful to speak to the hospital or a patient in distress, where both hands can be used to negotiate a curve or to overtake a slow vehicle in front of you.

What puzzles me is the way the device is used by youngsters.  Equipped with the device, moving around in busy roads without concern for safety of others, let alone their own.  It is a common sight to see cars screeching to a halt to avoid hitting a careless youth crossing the road with his eyes fixed afar and not knowing what is happening in the near vicinity.  And if you are a driver, be careful … Bluetooth is here to stay.