Bluetooth 3.0 Specifications Announced

Rajat

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‘Bluetooth 3.0 officially launched.’ -

The latest version of Bluetooth, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, was officially launched during a recent meeting among the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).

Based off of the 802.11 protocol, Bluetooth 3.0 will increase transfer speeds from 3Mbps up to an impressive 23Mbps, according to Bluetooth supporters. The technology is based on Wi-Fi standards and offers power-saving benefits that weren’t available with Bluetooth 2.1.

“Utilizing the 802.11 radio was a natural choice as it provides efficiencies for both our members and consumers — members get more function out of the two radios they are already including in devices, and consumers with Bluetooth 3.0 HS products will get faster exchange of information without changing how they connect,” Bluetooth SIG director Michael Foley said in a statement. “We are excited to expand the possibilities of the PAN.”

During the announcement, Bluetooth 3.0 is expected to be used to help transfer large amounts of information between PCs and media devices, with wireless syncing available. Bluetooth has mainly been used by mobile phones, but the faster speeds should lead to Bluetooth adoption with more camcorders, TVs, Blu-ray players, cameras, and other consumer devices.

Even though Bluetooth 3.0 is out and about, many manufacturers are just now catching up to the Bluetooth 2.0 standard. Furthermore, no Bluetooth 3.0 devices are available on the consumer at the moment, and won’t begin shipping until Q3 this year, if that early.

Tech journalists and analysts long-anticipated the launch of Bluetooth 3.0, and have high expectations of what it will be able to do in the future. Users will be able to transfer music library, DVDs, and photos all in a matter of seconds, a Bluetooth SIG statement said last week.

Foley said there could be a handful of Bluetooth 3.0 devices in time for the 2009 holiday shopping, but officials don’t expect a significant amount of products until next year.
 
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