As expected, the Bluetooth SIG formally launched Bluetooth Core Specification Version 3.0 High Speed (HS), also known as Bluetooth 3.0, today. The new version promises to deliver much faster performance, improved power management, and a number of other features.
This latest iteration of the popular short-range wireless technology fulfills the consumers’ need for speed while providing the same wireless Bluetooth experience – faster. Manufacturers of consumer electronics and home entertainment devices can now build their products to send large amounts of video, music and photos between devices wirelessly at speeds consumers expect.
Leveraging the 802.11 Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL), Bluetooth 3.0 is capable of data transfer speeds up to 24Mbps. This will be enough to wirelessly bulk synchronize music libraries between your PC and media player or phone, bulk download photos to a printer or PC, and send video files from your camera or phone to your computer or television.
Chip and device manufacturers can now start to develop devices to leverage the new specification. Even with companies such as Atheros, Broadcom, CSR, and Marvell announcing their support, it will still take at least 9 to 12 months for products using Bluetooth 3.0 to hit the market.