Bluetooth 2 Introduced
Published November 2004
Bluetooth 2 Introduced
(Source: Brighthand) - The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has adopted Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. The latest version of this short-range wireless networking standard offers faster data transfer speeds while using less power.
The new specification is better able to handle several functions or devices simultaneously and transfer large data files, due to more available bandwidth. The Bluetooth SIG says that EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) will mean data will transfer three times faster, and up to ten times faster in certain cases. Lower power consumption will allow the next generation of Bluetooth devices to last up to twice as long as current ones.
"The motivation behind 2.0 + EDR was to improve existing usage scenarios which require increased data throughput, like streaming CD-quality audio, digital image transfer and laser printing," said Dr. Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR is backwards compatible with all previous specifications. To better assure this, the SIG established a new policy for finalizing specifications requiring three interoperable prototypes to be demonstrated at test events before a new specification is adopted. By following this new procedure, the Bluetooth SIG expects to virtually eliminate the risk for interoperability problems in early devices built on new versions of Bluetooth specifications. The first products based upon the specification are expected to be available in 2005.
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