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Confusion starts here. OR starts with Bluetooth. Nothing "Smart Casual" here. Its all "Black Tie". 

Discovered that you cannot "casually" transfer a file, exchange an image, listen to stereo/music between any two bluetooth enabled devices. Formalities and Standards are involved (along with the "whims" of the device manufacturer).

SO - 

You no longer "talk" to your "voice enabled" phone since it dialled triple 0 when you swore at it. "Police - Fire - Ambulance" were the words you heard before you disconnected. Then you worried for days because of the geo location capabilities of your phone and you know that Triple 0 see's all the numbers that call it, no matter what ! Cleared out all the call history lists didn't you?

Read on and become informed. 

All care taken, but NO RESPONSIBILITY accepted.

Bluetooth is really all about "no wires" and short distance communications/connectivity encompassing the concept of Personal Area Networks (PAN).

The "nitty gritty". Look to the left and read the column with the heading Protocols & Standards. It's really easy -

Listen to Stereo music - A2DP required by all devices. The devices must be Bluetooth compatible with each other.

Listen to the spoken word - Bluetooth enabled GPS systems with voice capability - no A2DP capability required. e.g. Garmin Zumo 220. Device compatibility is still an issue. Check compatibility lists.

You have a phone (device) which obeys the spoken word - AVRCP - if you have one that does this you will have learnt that its not a simple as it seems. "Black Tie" and do the set up properly. Like fine wine with a good meal, being "Formal" is in (read the manual and use the HELP).

Purchased a "Bluetooth" capable printer - I have a HP - HP makes available a free iPhone APP that allows me to print direct from my iPhone (pictures only) to the HP printer - BIP BIP BIP. Works well too. 

BUT the Playing field is not level !. Check before you spend the dollars to make sure that "What the sales speal/info says", will actually happen with your current equipment.

Bluetooth is highly visible. The (usually black) thing in the ear with no leads - bluetooth. The head/ear phones with no leads - bluetooth. The helmet with a microphone but no leads - bluetooth. The remote with no leads - bluetooth. The on/off switch with no lead - bluetooth. The hearing aid devices seen at concerts providing enhanced audio to the hearing impaired - bluetooth.

All Bluetooth devices require power. This is usually provided by use of a battery (rechargeable/disposable) fitted in the device. Bluetooth devices by design are low power devices and the quality ones have excellent standby and use (talk) times. Some Bluetooth devices, such as the BikerCom hub, can be hardwired into a 12 volt system, if required.

Interference can be an issue. Also loss of connection. Version 3.0 addresses these two issues specifically and it will be further addressed in Version 4.0. 

Loss of connection is addressed by giving devices clear paths to see each other. A body part can block Bluetooth communication. Interference whilst not common, is better addressed by quality Bluetooth products, which will be better electrically shielded. I have had no interference issues with my Bluetooth devices in general use. Hi RFI environments can presents problems. But WiFi/MiFi is not going to work either, if it's bad.

Battery life is usually very good. Average talk/usage times are around 7 to 10 hours. Some device standby times are getting out to weeks. The worst are a couple of days. A seven hour "talk time" may last the average user a couple of days, before a re charge is needed.

Lithium Ion batteries are the way to go. Good up times with quick recharge rates. Currently expensive as a single use battery but, the extra performance is worth the dollar. Bluetooth devices have very low power requirements. They will charge quite fast from 240volts (with a good charger) and fair bit slower from USB and 12 volts. Good chargers are also a requirement for 12/24 volt recharging.

Make sure you re charge your Bluetooth device at it's maximum allowable rate to cut down charge time (down time). Purchase spare batteries (rechargeable). (Manual will state charge rate). There are many small battery packs available that will recharge your Bluetooth device whilst on the go, thus extending the time you can stay away from 240 volt power with your Bluetooth/battery powered device.

Bluetooth is all about PAN. You being connected to other devices and through them to others. The world is developing into a connected one on a small and large scale. The life of batteries will increase greatly over the next few years, making Bluetooth even more attractive as a portable connectivity medium.

In its current forms and with quality devices Bluetooth will work well for you and me. Remember, go "Black Tie" read the manuals. I have provided resources via WEB links as well.

Make sure that you Bluetooth device/enabled device, can be recharged using 12 volts (most can) and has available 12 volt (some do not) and 240 volt chargers.

The average motorcycle electrical/charging system is capable of recharging Bluetooth devices, mobile phones, rechargeable batteries and most low powered devices.

Power up your tank bag with 12 volts via your motorcycles electrical system. Turn it into a power (recharging) hub for your devices! Lots of possibilities with Bluetooth and your motorcycle.