Need For Speed: Bluetooth 3.0 Is Official

Likening its speed to that of fictional devil-may-care race car driver Ricky Bobby, the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) this week officially adopted Bluetooth Core Specification Version 3.0 High Speed (HS), or Bluetooth 3.0, at a meeting in Tokyo.

"Like Ricky Bobby in 'Talladega Nights,' the latest version was 'Born to go fast,' " said Bluetooth SIG Executive Director Michael Foley in a statement.

The latest iteration of the short-range wireless technology "fulfills the consumers' need for speed while providing the same wireless Bluetooth experience -- faster," the Bluetooth SIG said. With the specialization formally adopted, consumer electronics and home entertainment device manufacturers now get the green flag to build their products that can swiftly send large amounts of video, music and photos wirelessly between devices.

Bluetooth 3.0 uses the 802.11 radio protocol, which essentially lets the Bluetooth protocol piggyback on a Wi-Fi signal for large data transfers. Using the 802.11 Protocol Application Layer (PAL) gives it increased throughput for data transfers at a rate of 24 Mbps, while Bluetooth 2.1 EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) offered speeds of roughly 3 Mbps.

Additionally, mobile devices that include Bluetooth 3.0 will realize power savings due to built-in power controls.

"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 that they are already including in devices, and consumers with Bluetooth v3.0 HS products will get fast exchange of information without changing how they connect," Foley added.

The Bluetooth SIG said the new version builds on the inherent qualities of the current 2.1 EDR version, including Simple Secure Pairing and built-in, automatic security. Bluetooth 3.0 HS also gives developers, manufacturers and consumers backward compatibility, which lets them expand and enhance the technology with each new specification release.

Some key applications of the new Bluetooth, which enables the moving of large data, video, music and photo files between devices without cables or wires, include the ability to wirelessly bulk-synchronize music libraries between PCs and music players or phones; bulk-download photos to a printer or PC; and send video files from cameras or phones to a computer or television.

Formal adoption of the new specification is just the first step. Now, member companies such as Atheros, Broadcom, CSR and Marvell will get silicon solutions to device manufacturers. From there, end products are built. The Bluetooth SIG said it expects Bluetooth 3.0-enabled devices to reach consumers in the next 9 to 12 months.

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