Bluetooth SIG looks at Bluetooth-WiFi to hasten transfers

If you'll recall, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group already had plans laid out to speed up Bluetooth by teaming it up with UWB, but needless to say, that didn't exactly take the world by storm. Thankfully, it seems the crew is trying something else in an effort to speed up BT transfers, and judging by the ubiquity of WiFi, we reckon this endeavor has a much better chance at gaining traction. According to Michael Foley, director of the Bluetooth SIG, these so-called Bluetooth-WiFi (just a temporary name, folks) devices will "use the regular low-power Bluetooth radios to recognize each other and establish connections, and if they need to transfer a large file, they will be able to turn on their WiFi radios, then turn them off to save power after finishing the transfer." For whatever reason, Foley also noted that it wouldn't be letting the dream go with regard to Bluetooth-UWB -- we're sure consumers will adore the confusion.

[AlexL @ Feb 10th 2008 4:57PM]

"but needless to say, that didn't exactly pan out."

Needless to say? Why needless to say? I think you actually need to explain this, and cite your sources.

Last time I checked, Bluetooth is set to go forward with the 3.0 version using UWB technology to potentially compete with Wireless USB. How did that go wrong?

[ByronGman @ Feb 10th 2008 5:12PM]

Okay, I know I'm going to sound like an idiot....

But can someone just tell me what the big difference is between Bluetooth and Wifi?

I know they have different uses, but why?

[thethirdmoose @ Feb 10th 2008 5:24PM]

bluetooth = low size/power/speed
wifi = high size/power/speed
bluetooth = peer to peer
wifi = infrastructure
bluetooth = better for peripherals
wifi = better for networking

[Celnaor @ Feb 10th 2008 6:03PM]

WiFI supports peer to peer networking as well (Ad Hoc) don't forget, and wifi has better security as well.

[ByronGman @ Feb 10th 2008 6:04PM]

Thanks :-)

[Phineas J. Whoopie @ Feb 10th 2008 5:13PM]

Sounds good. Maybe Google puts this in the Android SDK?

[austin @ Feb 10th 2008 7:00PM]

sdk=software
this=hardware

[Phineas J. Whoopie @ Feb 10th 2008 7:06PM]

I understand SDK is software...so why can't this transaction happen via software with the currently available BT/WLAN implementations?

Pair with Bluetooth, switch to WLAN for file transfer. Use a software manager for the UI and to make the 'handoffs' out of sight. To the user it appears seamless, no?

[CB17 @ Feb 10th 2008 5:21PM]

This actually sounds kinda stupid to me. I can already think of several things that could make this not work (well). I'd rather see them develop new technologies (UWB) rather than trying to ghetto rig something like this together.

[srw985 @ Feb 10th 2008 5:29PM]

only time i could see this being useful is like it says, sending files.
Could it be done on current phones (that have wifi and bluetooth, eg N95), via firmware update?

[Flashpoint @ Feb 10th 2008 5:37PM]

I just hope compatibility isn't hurt when whatever they do goes through.
I just got FIOS yesterday and spent an hour and a half trying to connect my 360's wifi adapter to the Actiontech router when I realized IT WASN'T COMPATIBLE.

the next Bluetooth format should be compatible to wifi and should support OBEX and A2DP where applicable.

[HOOPER @ Feb 10th 2008 6:01PM]

Is Bluetooth's logo supposed to look like teeth? Or a T? Because I can see how it could be a pointy B, but I don't see any teeth...or maybe it's not supposed to be anything and I'm thinking to hard about it.

[jt @ Feb 10th 2008 6:26PM]

If my memory serves me correctly, the name comes from Harald Bluetooth, who was responsible for uniting Denmark and Norway, which has some historical significance as to where Bluetooth was invented. The logo is a merge between the runes for letters H & B.

[Nathan @ Feb 10th 2008 6:36PM]

They actually just decided to flip the Dead Kennedys logo around. Jello Biafra is gonna be pissed!

[Johan S @ Feb 10th 2008 6:18PM]

I am still waiting for the long promised day when I can put my phone next to my computer and everything I need on my phone gets sync'd to it. And vice versa. The key here is that should be secure, seamless, in the background (after I set it up with what exactly i want sync'd --calendar, contacts and recent caller list, documents, multimedia etc.) Of course, there shoud be a UI on the PC (and phone) for editting and manipulating that stuff too.

[NovaLand @ Feb 11th 2008 2:21AM]

If my computer would sync me up with my celluar, I'd get pissed off!

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Feb 10th 2008 7:34PM]

I coin the term "Blue-Fi" for this new technical endeavor!

[Joe @ Feb 11th 2008 11:44AM]

This is a really stupid idea. The entire point of BlueTooth is paired wireless communication. I'm currently writing a series of applications that would go south if the BlueTooth suddenly jumped to the Wi-Fi connection.