USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and is a small connector port on computers that allows for a USB cable to be attached. USB cables allow data, pictures and most any kind of files to be transferred from or to a computer. Cell phones, printers, laptops, desk computers as well as cameras and other plug and play devices all have USB ports. A USB dongle is also known as a memory stick. UBS dongles offer an easy way of transferring files from one location such as a computer, to another location like your cell phone. USB dongles have replaced the older plug and play storage drives and floppy disks due to the fact they are more affordable, take up less space and are easy to use.
USB dongles are also available to offer your computer the WiFi connection. Many desktop computers can use WiFi cards while laptops use USB dongles as a means of being able to get a WiFi connection. There are many different models and name brands of USB dongles on the market, ranging in prices from $20 up. The most basic models of USB dongles will come with their own disks or programming so that once plugged into the USB port, they enable the computer to be able to find wireless networks within a certain range, including picking up on the Bluetooth on your cell phone. In this way, you can make your own ringtones on the computer and transfer them through the USB dongle with the Bluetooth option on your cell phone, if supported. If you use a USB dongle on your computer or laptop, it is wise to take into consideration the fact that additional space must be made to accommodate the dongle.
USB dongles can be found as small as the lid to a soda, but they still must be able to sit securely in the USB port without being hit in order to work properly. Bluetooth USB dongles are ideal for using with PDA or other cell phones and computers to transfer files, just as you can transfer files using Bluetooth from one phone to another, as long as your phone supports this option. USB dongles allow for you to enable your printer and computer to be connected without wires, so that you can still send files to your printer to complete without having the mess of wires connecting them. Some companies use USB dongles as a means of security, where the dongle authenticates certain passwords or company credentials to enter software programs on secured networks.