True blue

November 4, 2003 5:57 AM

Bluejacking is the new craze (according to the BBC) of sending random strangers within range unsolicited messages on their mobile phone via Bluetooth.
posted by brettski (12 comments total)

"This, mixed with not knowing whether the victim will react in an amused/confused or negative way gives me an adrenaline rush," she said.

Lady, you soooooo need a life if that's a rush.

I s'pose we can 'blame' the web for this kind of thing. Where once people used to just do something new and enjoy it for what it was now then can yap on about it at increasingly tedious length to a global audience.

Ooop. I have to go now...there's a flash mob I must attend...
posted by i_cola at 7:05 AM on November 4, 2003

Mhhhhh BlueSpam
posted by elpapacito at 7:13 AM on November 4, 2003

Maybe slightly harsh as she seems about 14 from her pix & story. I dunno, kids today.

At least I know there's a really good reason why I always keep bluetooth off when I'm not backing up my phone...
posted by i_cola at 7:19 AM on November 4, 2003

Unlike those who posted above, I am sort of entertained by this. It is a bit dumb, but when on lunch break from work, bluejacking will definately add a little amusement to my day.
posted by toddst at 7:28 AM on November 4, 2003

I can't believe this is news. A couple of my friends have played this trick before, literally *years* ago - when bluetooth phones first surfaced. Although, we called it 'YAG' - You Are Gay -

Create a contact called 'You are Gay!'.
Walk into a busy bar/restaurant/public place.
Do a bluetooth scan of the area with your phone and find any 'discoverable' devices.
Send contact to unsuspecting mobile user.
Watch, from a distance, their reaction, and giggle at their incredulity.

Fun? Yeah, sure, for five minutes. More than a little childish though.
posted by metaxa at 7:34 AM on November 4, 2003

Wow. I thought "Blue Jacking" was something completely different....
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 9:30 AM on November 4, 2003

Is it just me, or is this a story created to market Esato? Plenty of prominent mentions, and they flog ringtones...

Whatever, I'm going to a Beyoncé gig tonight and will attempt to BlueJack as many over-excited teens with the message "You are my favourite fan! Meet me backstage after the concert! Love, Beyoncé" in order to create the first BlueFlashMob...
posted by jack_mo at 9:31 AM on November 4, 2003

Surely people don't actually walk around with their phone's BlueTooth on -- it really sucks the battery. You turn it on when you need to use it with your laptop or PDA to connect to the Internet, and turn it off afterward. Otherwise your battery lasts about a day.
posted by kindall at 9:44 AM on November 4, 2003

*attaches "You Are Gay" sign to metaxa's bumper*
posted by quonsar at 10:18 AM on November 4, 2003

quonsar: why you little...! </homer>
posted by metaxa at 1:38 PM on November 4, 2003

What a childish, pointless pastime.

Wish I had a phone with Bluetooth.
posted by dg at 3:23 PM on November 4, 2003

When I was a teenager bluejacking meant somthing entirely diffrent.
posted by stbalbach at 4:13 PM on November 4, 2003