OT: Wireless keyboards - infrared vs. bluetooth

[clockface]

Which is better, bluetooth or infrared? I'm interested in seeing a list of pro's & con's for each option.

[dans]

Infrared signals are light waves and bluetooth signals are radio waves. With IR you'd need to have a line of sight to the base station but bluetooth would not have such restrictions. I'm no expert, but I can't believe a infrared keyboard would be better than a bluetooth in any situation except one where strong security is a major issue. It would be hard to intercept an infrared signal but theoretically some guy could be hiding somewhere with a bluetooth receiver intercepting your every keyboard stroke. Imagine all the Pro Tools secrets you'd be giving away....

[Blutus]

It would be hard to intercept an infrared signal but theoretically some guy could be hiding somewhere with a bluetooth receiver intercepting your every keyboard stroke. Imagine all the Pro Tools secrets you'd be giving away....

The bleutooth signal from the Apple keyboard is 128 bit encrypted, tapping in is not very likely