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Bluetooth SIG Offers a Peek at Forthcoming 4.0 Spec
 

 The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) on Monday revealed information about Bluetooth 4.0, the next version of its wireless technology.In a press release, the Bluetooth SIG said the hallmark feature of the forthcoming specification is low energy technology, which will enable device makers to save power, cost and space in their designs.The press release described the technology as three specifications in one: old-school Bluetooth that we've come to know and love, Bluetooth low-energy, and Bluetooth high speed. It said the three technologies could be used together or separately in devices."Watches will take advantage of both low energy technology while collecting data from fitness sensors on the body as well as Classic Bluetooth technology when sending that information to a PC, or separately displaying caller ID information when wirelessly connected to a mobile phone," Bluetooth SIG speculated in the release.The 4.0 specification imposes no limit on broadcast range. "With Bluetooth v4.0, manufacturers may choose to optimize range to 200 feet and beyond, particularly for in-home sensor applications where longer range is a necessity," Bluetooth SIG said in the release.The spec for Bluetooth 4.0 with low energy was introduced in December, and samples of sensors using the specification are available from silicon manufacturers today, Bluetooth SIG said. But there's more work to be done, they said."Integration of Bluetooth low energy wireless technology within the Bluetooth specification will be completed before June 30," they said. Once that's done, manufacturers can start building devices that use the low power technology. Products using Bluetooth 4.0 should ship by late 2010 or early 2011, Bluetooth SIG said.Apple makes a number of products that use Bluetooth to communicate without wires, including computers, keyboards, mice and the iPhone and iPad.
 

http://www.maclife.com/article/news/bluetooth_sig_offers_peek_forthcoming_40_spec