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BluetoothSIG posts

Samsung Giorgio Armani 2 specs leaked by Bluetooth SIG

by Ross Miller posted Jul 14th 2009 at 7:21PM

As best as we can tell, that June 11th Armani event with Samsung and Microsoft came and went with nothing more than a new ad campaign featuring David Beckham in his knickers, and Sammy's June 15th solo fête was devoted to the Omnia lineup and said nothing of any impending Windows Mobile fashionphone. So whatever happened to the rumored luxury device? The Bluetooth SIG group has leaked specs of the Samsung B7620, which the company's Twitter feed labels as the Giorgio Armani 2. According to the product page, under the hood we're looking at a 800MHz processor, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, A-GPS, Stereo FM Radio, WiFi, business card scanner, and the usual assortment audio / video codecs. Of course, the big deal here is gonna be what's it gonna look like on the exterior, and unfortunately this technological diva hasn't seen fit to leave her dressing room just yet.

[Via Mobilewhack]

Read - Bluetooth SIG's twitter account
Read - B7620's product details page

Bluetooth 3.0 + HS gets official, adds speed with 802.11

by Darren Murph posted Apr 21st 2009 at 2:00PM

The rumors were true, and today's the day that the Bluetooth SIG gets official with the latest, greatest version of Bluetooth. Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, as it'll be called, promises to be markedly faster than prior iterations thanks to the reliance on 802.11, which is the same protocol used by WiFi modules, routers, etc. The new standard obviously catapults Bluetooth into a new dimension; rather than being good for nothing more than sending images from one phone to another or syncing a fitness module to a DAP, v3.0 is nimble enough to handle camcorder-to-HDTV, PC-to-PMP and UMPC-to-printer transfers. In fact, the inclusion of the 802.11 Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL) provides increased throughput of data transfers "at the approximate rate of 24Mbps." We had sit-downs with Mike Foley (executive director of the Bluetooth SIG) and Atheros CTO Bill McFarland in order to find out a few more details about plans for the protocol -- if you're eager to hear what they had to say, not to mention see a demonstration of BT 3.0 at work, follow us past the break.

Continue reading Bluetooth 3.0 + HS gets official, adds speed with 802.11

Bluetooth 3.0 to use WiFi for high-speed file transfers

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 13th 2009 at 9:48PM

Sounds like the Bluetooth 3.0 announcement on April 21 is going to finally usher in the era of high-speed short-range data transfers -- as previously hinted, the new spec will actually negotiate a quick'n'dirty ad-hoc WiFi connection between devices if it needs to move bits in a hurry, and then turn off the spigot to save power when it's done. The idea is to leverage the speed of WiFi while keeping power usage low, and we'd say it's a pretty trick solution, since most Bluetooth-capable devices also have WiFi radios (cough, Storm). Since the ad-hoc WiFi connection is managed over Bluetooth, no actual wireless network is necessary, and the switch will appear seamless to the user -- except for the sudden increase in data transfer speeds. Yeah, it's definitely slick stuff -- we're looking forward to seeing the first devices in action next Tuesday.

[Via MocoNews]

HTC Fiesta is "an Android phone," so says Bluetooth SIG

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 11th 2009 at 5:17PM

We know from countless encounters with our dear, dear friends at the Bluetooth Special Interest Group that their certifications aren't as... shall we say, "detailed" as their counterparts at the FCC; frequently, we don't even bother with them because there's simply nothing there to talk about. Android phones are still pretty difficult to come by, though, so whenever we see the platform mentioned in a certification of any kind, we're bound to sit up and take notice -- particularly when said certification comes via HTC. Tipster Jeff came across a filing for an HTC "Fiesta" in the SIG this time around, descriptively noted as "an Android phone" that'll be available in Asia, Europe, and North America. Other than that, we can count on it having Bluetooth (would be funny if it didn't, wouldn't it?), but that's about it; the G1 / Dream was the Kila, the Magic was the Sapphire, so what's this gonna be?

[Thanks, Jeff]

Bluetooth 3.0 specification to debut on April 21st

by Darren Murph posted Apr 9th 2009 at 9:48AM

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.

Continue reading Bluetooth 3.0 specification to debut on April 21st

UWB is dead! Long live... UWB!

by Darren Murph posted Mar 16th 2009 at 1:58PM

Wait, let us get this straight. UWB is dead, but it's... not? According to a melancholy release issued today by the soon-to-shutter WiMedia Alliance, said entity has reached technology transfer arrangements to shuffle its ultra-wideband workings to groups within Bluetooth SIG and Wireless USB. After that process is complete, the WiMedia Alliance will -- in its words -- "cease operations." According to WiMedia president Stephen Wood, it has "reached a point in specification development and product availability where it is more efficient for the related industry groups to oversee future specification development in-house." It's tough to say whether this move will add yet another nail in ultra-wideband's coffin or act as the spark it has been longing for since its introduction, but we're cautiously hoping for the latter to prove true. Alright new management, time to see what you're made of!

Bluetooth SIG promises high-speed specification next summer, likely BT 3.0

by Darren Murph posted Dec 8th 2008 at 9:52PM

After putting those nasty Bluetooth 2.2 rumors to bed, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group has directly informed Wireless Week that it will indeed look to come out with a "high-speed specification next summer." Of course, we've been waiting on such a thing for, like, ever now, but Executive Director Mike Foley has asserted that when the spec arrives in summer 2009 it will likely be sitting at 3.0. What's 3.0 promising? Faster overall transmission speeds and quicker connections, namely. So, what's the over / under on the Bluetooth SIG actually delivering?

[Via phonescoop]

Bluetooth SIG looks at Bluetooth-WiFi to hasten transfers

by Darren Murph posted Feb 10th 2008 at 4:35PM

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.

Bluetooth pairs with cake for 10th birthday

by Chris Ziegler posted Jan 8th 2008 at 11:54PM

Everyone raise your glasses for a toast, will you? The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (better known as the Bluetooth SIG to its pals) is throwing itself a little party celebrating ten years since its inception. It's been one heck of a decade, too, considering that the SIG started with just five members and has since grown to over 10,000; in that same span, wireless headsets have become all but ubiquitous, the standard has come to countless products covering hundreds of product categories, and a grand total of 1.5 billion-plus devices have shipped with that now-famous stylized "B" emblazoned somewhere on their shell. So just how does a special interest group shake its moneymaker on such a momentous occasion? A spat of playful Bluejacking, perhaps? Nah, nothing that saucy -- just a private party for SIG members at CES. Here's to another ten, Bluetooth.

Wibree is now Bluetooth's ultra-low power wireless standard

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 12th 2007 at 9:22AM

Sometimes, just sometimes sanity prevails. Remember Wibree, Nokia's proposed Bluetooth-like (but not Bluetooth) solution for short-range wireless cable replacement in low-powered devices? Well, as of this morning, Wibree, and its 10x lower power consumption (but shorter range) will become part of the Bluetooth specification for ultra low powered wireless devices. Once the spec is integrated, products like watches, toys, and even healthcare devices (er, pacemakers?) can join your Bluetooth Personal Area Network. You know, after the spec is finalized during the "first half of 2008" which will undoubtedly extend to Q3 of 2008 and then Q... ah hell, you know how it goes.

Bluetooth 2.1 on the way: near-field communications and 5x battery

by Thomas Ricker posted Mar 7th 2007 at 7:59AM

Gear Live got the chance to check the new Bluetooth 2.1+EDR specification live with Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group). Most definitely, the coolest new feature is delivered via an optional part of the spec dubbed "near-field communications." Using a prototype Nokia cellphone and Parrot picture frame, Foley was able to snap a photo on the handset and then pair and transfer it to the frame by simply holding the phone a few inches away from the display. Other notable enhancements are 5x reduction in battery drain (hoozah!) for Bluetooth mice and keyboards as well as enhanced security. The spec is "just being finalized now" with first product expected to hit around the 2007 holiday season. Fingers crossed eh, as these things tend to drag out a bit longer than expected. In the mean time, check the full video demonstration after the break.

Continue reading Bluetooth 2.1 on the way: near-field communications and 5x battery

WiMedia and Mercedes to demo in-vehicle, HD streaming over UWB

by Thomas Ricker posted Jan 4th 2007 at 8:31AM

In what the WiMedia Alliance calls a "first of its kind demonstration," DaimlerChrysler Research will roll-out a Mercedes-Benz R500 SUV at CES next week all dolled up in Intel's and Alereon's Ultrawideband (UWB) USB technology. The demonstration will pump high-definition video from a handheld mobile device to an array of factory installed headrest monitors for the middle and third row passengers. Great, let's hope they fare better that we did with the Belkin's CableFree USB Hub which wasn't quite up to the task of streaming HD with a paltry 6.35Mbps measured. Belkin's box packs ~~Freescale~~ the very first implementation of Wisair's UWB, a member of WiMedia, the favored child of the Bluetooth SIG. So let's hope they can demonstrate something a bit closer to the "480Mbps and beyond" transfer speeds they like to boast about. You know, so your kids can someday sit zombied in the backseat watching their videos on a 7.1-inch, 1080p display just as the Good Lorf intended.