LinuxCommandLibrary

bluetooth-sendto

Send files to Bluetooth devices

SYNOPSIS

bluetooth-sendto --device=[address|name] --file=filename

PARAMETERS

--device=[address|name]
    Specifies the target Bluetooth device by either its MAC address (e.g., 00:11:22:33:44:55) or its Bluetooth name.

--file=filename
    Specifies the full path to the file that should be sent to the Bluetooth device. If this option is not provided, a graphical file selection dialog may appear, allowing the user to select the file interactively.

--help
    Display help text and exit.

--version
    Output version information and exit.

DESCRIPTION

The bluetooth-sendto command is a utility for transferring files to Bluetooth devices. It provides a command-line interface to initiate the Bluetooth file transfer process. The command allows you to select a target device by either its name or MAC address. Once a device is selected, it presents a graphical interface (if X is available) allowing you to choose the file to send.

It leverages the OBEX (Object Exchange) protocol for file transfer, a widely used standard in Bluetooth communication. The program internally utilizes the BlueZ Bluetooth stack to communicate with Bluetooth adapters and manage device connections. The intended purpose is convenience, offering a simple way to push files to paired Bluetooth devices directly from the terminal.

It is important to note that bluetooth-sendto depends on the availability of a graphical environment if no target name is provided and a file needs to be selected.

CAVEATS

The command's graphical interface (file selection dialog) requires an X server to be running. Without a display environment, operation may fail if the --file argument isn't provided. The effectiveness of file transfer depends on the Bluetooth device's compatibility with the OBEX profile and the quality of the Bluetooth connection.

GRAPHICAL INTERFACE DEPENDENCY

If the --file option is not provided, bluetooth-sendto attempts to launch a graphical file selection dialog. This requires an active X server environment. In headless systems (e.g., servers without a GUI), the command will likely fail or behave unexpectedly if --file is omitted. Ensure a display is available or always specify the file path directly.

HISTORY

The bluetooth-sendto command is part of the broader BlueZ Bluetooth stack for Linux. It has evolved as part of making Bluetooth more accessible to command-line users. Early versions were often script based, relying on lower-level tools, but it was eventually formalized as a user-friendly utility. Its primary usage has always been to simplify file transfer to Bluetooth-enabled devices directly from the shell.

SEE ALSO

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