Bluetooth SIG adopts core version 2.1 +EDR

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has signed off on the Core Specification Version 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate). What does this mean for the average Bluetooth user? Delightful things, of course. The shiny new spec includes enhancements to pairing where the steps to pair devices are reduced with the task only taking seconds -- not a few fiddly minutes -- with some devices, like headsets, even supporting auto-pairing. There is also potential for the addition of near field communication (NFC) where devices are simply tapped together to automagically pair -- we're stoked to see this in Bluetooth-enabled photo frames, for example. Also on the table was an improvement to security to prevent various types of attacks and improved power management which will see battery life -- for some devices -- extended up to fives times the current performance. Not a bad day out, now let's get those 2.1 enabled devices rolling.

[Via PhoneScoop]

[Chuckles McGee @ Aug 1st 2007 1:07PM]

Instead of dreaming about Bluetooth 2.1, I'll allocate my dreaming to mass adoption of wireless USB. Mmm, 480 Mbps wirelessly...

[tso @ Aug 1st 2007 1:52PM]

something that can be done in bluetooth as well as they are planing to include UWB frequencies iirc.

[boe @ Aug 1st 2007 1:08PM]

Whahooo - only one problem - if you have PPC phone / WM6 - the MS stack the they slapped together still makes phone calls unpleasant for your callers - so far over 20,000 hits on this topic but no way to get MS's attention about this.

Strip away the MS stack and use the original stack and it works great! However, all the functionality for voice command and other PPC essentials goes out the window as MS made the call for all their functions hook into their crappy BT stack.

[Mike Klein @ Aug 1st 2007 1:58PM]

Bluetooth (like HDMI) is a confusing mess for the average consumer...let alone for engrs who know what they're doing.

It means nothing to say your computer supports 'bluetooth'...what's more important are the profiles supported by the bt stack...and often this is NOT (wtf?) printed on the product packaging or in notes on product (on Amazon, etc.).

Adding to mess is fact that it is often not possible to update your bluetooth stack easily. For example, my Fujitsu ST5111 tablet pc uses bluetooth from Toshiba...and there are zero instructions (or help from Fujitsu) on how this can be upgraded. Version shipped with Fujitsu doesn't match what is on Toshiba's site.

I have yet to find a dongle/stack that seamlessly supports voice and voip seamlessly...you must manually switch profiles when getting a call and this can never be done in time to get call...

I seem to be constantly re-pairing devices...even though they haven't been paired to other computers...

The class 1 adapters (with long range) are all they should be producing...short range bluetooth craps out by merely having your phone clipped to left hip and earpiece on right ear. With class 1 it works the way you would expect...with 1-3 room radius in your home.

This said...BT is great (at least when you have high-power and edr) when it works.

[Mike Holzapfel @ Aug 1st 2007 2:00PM]

Now we just have to wait 2 years until commercially available products hit the shelves.

I don't think I saw a 2.0 headset until late last year and the spec was approved Nov 04.

[Steve Young @ Aug 1st 2007 4:05PM]

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/LAW02801082007-1.htm

[Ian @ Aug 1st 2007 9:09PM]

so are we talking like more then 20k transfer rates? cuz i know thats what i get when going from my laptop to my phone. and how much faster? would it acutally be worth it to transfer files from computer to computer if they are over a MB with 2.1?