The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has recently published the latest updated specification for this major emerging technology.  The SIG, which is based in Kansas in the US, consists of representatives from the following manufacturers:

Agere, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba

In addition, there are many thousands of associate and “adopter” members.

For those who are not familiar with Bluetooth technology, the following are a few words of explanation:

Bluetooth is a short-range (typically up to 10 metres) radio communication technology and protocol that has been designed to allow different system components to communicate with each other over short distances.  The first implementation of this technology has come in the form of hands-free headsets for mobile telephones.  Many of the new mobile phone models are now Bluetooth compatible and allow the use of Bluetooth headsets.  The advantage is that there is no annoying cable or wire connecting your headset or ear-piece to the mobile telephone.

Other potential applications are myriad – from your PC system to its various components – keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, external hard disks, video capture systems, sound systems and PDAs etc.  Home entertainment systems are another area where Bluetooth can help to eliminate cumbersome cabling connecting various components (video decoder, recorder, TV, home theatre system, speakers etc).

The principal advantages are true mobility, and connectivity without the need for sometimes expensive and cumbersome cabling.  The implementation of Bluetooth technology in most of the computing and home entertainment systems in the future will revolutionise their connectivity.

The new, updated specification enhances the original and introduces some new features.  The specification is designed to provide a blueprint for manufacturers and developers to design and produce products that will communicate effectively with each other. 

For information on Bluetooth, the following web site is the official Bluetooth site:

http://bluetooth.com/