Bluetooth 3.0 specification to debut on April 21st

We've seen no official word from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, but phonescoop has it that the Bluetooth 3.0 specification is just about ready for prime time. Reportedly, the spec will feature "dramatically increased speeds, allowing for the transfer of large video files, music collections and photo libraries wirelessly within seconds." BT 3.0 should also include a newfangled ability called Enhanced Power Control (EPC), which will supposedly "reduce the occurrence of disconnects that can be caused by actions such as putting a phone in a pocket, backpack, briefcase or purse." We're told to expect a whole boatload of details, along with a list of chip makers already lined up to provide support, on April 21st.

Update: It's official -- April 21st is a go. Head past the break for the official verbiage.

On April 21, the Bluetooth SIG will officially announce Bluetooth 3.0 – it's Bluetooth, faster, via 802.11. The speed of Bluetooth 3.0 will expand home entertainment and CE use cases in these under-penetrated markets. Transferring an entire music library, a complete DVD, a vacation's worth of photos, all within seconds at the touch of a button and wirelessly will now be possible. And while speed is the coolest part of 3.0, there's also good news for the headset and handset crowds – a new feature called Enhanced Power Control reduces the incidence of disconnects caused by movement such as placing a phone in a pocket or purse.

On the technical side, it is a Generic Alternate MAC/PHY (AMP) that will enable Bluetooth profiles to take advantage of 802.11 speeds. The 802.11 Protocol Adaption Layer (PAL) will enable the Generic AMP feature to be used with an 802.11 radio.

[Unknown @ Apr 9th 2009 9:54AM]

Couldn't come soon enough. I have the motorola s9 headset and it constantly cuts out when I'm running with my phone in my pocket or even when I swing my arms with my phone in my hand. It also interferes with my wireless mouse and internet when I connect to my computer.

[iLoveApple @ Apr 9th 2009 9:58AM]

It's your own fault for buying a cheap piece of crap like the S9 when there are so many better alternatives on the market from the likes of Nokia and Sony Ericsson.

[Thunda Chunky @ Apr 9th 2009 10:11AM]

^^^Hey shut up fool.^^^ You love Apple so what do you know? Didn't the iPhone just get Bluetooth? Bite me. The S9 is great I've had mine for a year no problems.

[Mr.Nokia @ Apr 9th 2009 11:47AM]

If you think the iPhone just got BT you have some serious research to do. As far as the S9 goes, well the logo on it says enough. GARBAGE

[moveteam @ Apr 9th 2009 9:56AM]

Hopefully Apple will pick this up - it's cool with tethering on 3.0, but Bluetooth is to slow to deliver full speeds.

[Nick @ Apr 9th 2009 10:44AM]

You guys think this came out just in time or too late to be included in the iPhone to be announced this summer? Nothing more I hate than buying hardware with last generation protocols. Which is exactly why I'm not buying any new laptops until I start to see them with the USB 3.0 spec.

[jblock @ Apr 9th 2009 10:30AM]

+1, but I am taking it a step farther in waiting for a netbook with USB3.0.

[mdscinto @ Apr 9th 2009 10:11AM]

Adapting the micro USB standard > Bluetooth 3.0

[Adrian @ Apr 9th 2009 10:21AM]

I agree. The dock connector is beyond end of life status.

[Sentax @ Apr 9th 2009 10:24AM]

I want USB 3.0 now!

[Magallanes @ Apr 9th 2009 10:54AM]

NO WANT!

Currently bluetooth is expensive, battery unfriendly and is hard to connect (bluetooth stack is all but plug&play)

[L @ Apr 9th 2009 10:56AM]

What do you mean by "current bluetooth is expensive"?

The next gen Bluetooth standard will contain a special low-power version (formerly known as Nokia Wibree), and I really don't think interconnecting different Bluetooth devices is hard, so...

[Magallanes @ Apr 9th 2009 2:07PM]

headphone expensive, mouse expensive, keyboard expensive. Device compatible only with the windows bluetooth stack, other with the widdcomm stack and so on.

[snowglyder @ Apr 9th 2009 11:42AM]

Makes me think twice about getting another phone until this is standard.

[LPD @ Apr 9th 2009 11:46AM]

Shouldn't everything have Bluetooth? Wouldn't you rather get a voice message with your stapler is low? Hear a beep when the toilet tank is done refilling? Know when your chair is fully reclined? Need I go on?

[Patriks7 @ Apr 9th 2009 1:02PM]

Wow, are you really that lazy?

[rube @ Apr 9th 2009 1:26PM]

thats awesome.. I love Bluetooth, I use it for the most random things sometimes because it makes me feel like james bond. Bluetooth has a lot of potential for future applications, I think it is very much still in it's prime.

[anton.kallgren @ Apr 9th 2009 1:31PM]

Anyone know the speedtransfer of Bluetooth v3.0?

[will @ Apr 9th 2009 4:07PM]

Okay... I just bought a refurbished unibody MacBook but now i'm pissed... all of the new protocols are on new computers... and new phones... and new stuff... and im mad. I want USB 3.0 to transfer files quick and I want bluetooth 3.0 but I don't get it because I have a new macbook, not an unreleased macbook GRRRRRRRRR

[LordAlda @ Apr 9th 2009 7:44PM]

Not to mention that, the new computers will become cheaper and faster than your refurbished one.

[Aalaap Ghag @ Apr 9th 2009 2:23PM]

Off-topic, but the new cheapest car in the world, the Tata Nano, has a premium model (about $3800 for all of it) has a Bluetooth-enabled stereo. Just...

[Dead_Rebel @ Apr 9th 2009 3:28PM]

Does this have anything to do with the T-Mobile event?
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/04/09/t-mobile-announces-april-21st-private-launch-event-in-nyc/

[superhobo @ Apr 9th 2009 3:33PM]

Bluetooth needs the standards and support of USB.

[Sam @ Apr 9th 2009 3:42PM]

I will not buy the next generation iPhone if Bluetooth 3.0 is not included. If it is included in the June revision of the iPhone, I'll shit my pants I swear to god.

[FILA @ Apr 9th 2009 9:13PM]

well hopefully it helps with the damn wireless headphones, with better audio quality, does this mean its comign out on the 21st or they just announcing it

[tk @ Apr 9th 2009 9:25PM]

How has no one mentioned that despite being released nearly 2 years ago virtually no companies have adopted the 2.1 spec for US products? LG amongst others are still pimping cellphones with the 1.2 spec, a 6 year old technology. The 2.0 spec which is the most common is 4 years old. No one should be holding out for this anytime soon. Keep in mind you need both devices to be the same spec to take advantage of the newest features.

Companies who took the leap and paid the price to lead with 2.1 got shafted. No company is going to move forward unless they're pressured to. If you wanted the updated spec you need to let them know you care.

[yG @ Apr 9th 2009 10:48PM]

I can't wait for this and USB 3.0! I hope the Sony Ericsson Idou will have Bluetooth 3.0.

One question, though, won't you get viruses or something like that if you turn you Bluetooth on for a long time?

[yG @ Apr 9th 2009 10:51PM]

If I buy a laptop now with bluetooth, will I be able to upgrade its bluetooth functionality to bluetooth 3.0? Isn't it that the USB 3.0 will be compatible with USB 2.0 ports?

[yG @ Apr 9th 2009 10:58PM]

Update: it is the USB 2.0 that will still be compatible with USB 3.0 ports, not USB 3.0 still bein able to be compatible with USB 2.0

[k @ Apr 21st 2009 11:09PM]

so the highspeed bluetooth 3.0 spec identifies how the protocol will stop using bluetooth and switch to 802.11. Am the only one who thinks this is bizarre? Obviously this cant work unless you have a single integrated chipset by one manufactuer that contains both wifi and bluetooth radios. How would you interface to the other device? 802.11 doesn't have a defined "hand-off from bluetooth" interface. The analogy I can think of at the moment is: a new energy efficient car that when the efficiency is not good enough, helps you switch to a prius.