Bluetooth

Bluetooth support for Linux is provided through the Kernel and the BlueZ project.

BlueZ
When using a Desktop environment such as KDE, GNOME or Xfce, the Bluetooth application will automatically install BlueZ as a dependency. Otherwise install the package:

The package comes with the following USE flags:

Configuration
Most probably you would like to access bluetooth daemon from regular user, so add these users to the plugdev group:

To apply these changed group membership, the user needs to be logged out and logged in again.

Device Attach/Pairing
Before a device can be used, it must be attached (paired in Bluetooth-lingo). This is done by entering a PIN (or other code) on both devices.

In order to pair, you must first have interaction agent active, if you are using desktop environment, with bluetooth integration you probably have one already, for example KDE has. If you are unsure or need console mode only there is a simple-agent utility within the bluez sources.

Using the simple-agent
sample-agent is installed with bluez if it is built with the "test-programs" USE flag.

If you get the following output, it means that you probably have already interaction agent in your system, no need to use the simple-agent. dbus.exceptions.DBusException: org.bluez.Error.AlreadyExists: Already Exists

Scan for devices:

Attach device:

Notice that the simple-agent request interaction: RequestPinCode (/org/bluez/13983/hci0/dev_00_24_7C_2F_92_7C) Enter PIN Code: 1234

Enter a PIN and press then enter the same PIN at device.

You are now ready to proceed.

Devices

 * Headset
 * Modem
 * Joystick:Sony DualShock3