Bluetooth 4.0 Is Now Official

SIG (The Bluetooth Special Interest Group) has just announced the formal adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0, the hallmark feature being low energy technology. The company also announced that the tech is now open for qualification, which is the final step in its adoption.

"The finalization of Bluetooth low energy wireless technology within the Core Specification is a monumental achievement," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth SIG. "Bluetooth wireless technology can now, with the hard work of our members and our world-class qualification program, really do it all."

Bluetooth 4.0 with the low energy technology is a huge step forward, as it opens entirely new markets for devices requiring low cost and low power wireless connectivity. Thanks to the new Bluetooh wireless technology, fresh applications will be enabled. It will be mostly used in healthcare, sports and fitness, security, and home entertainment, enhancing the availability of small coin-cell battery powered wireless products and sensors.

Bluetooth low energy wireless technology, the star of the v4.0 Bluetooth Core Specification, features: ultra-low peak, average and idle mode power consumption; the ability to run for year on standard coin-cell batteries; low cost; multi-vendor interoperability, enhanced range.

Bluetooth SIG is now able to download all the specification details, as well as perform interoperability testing utilizing the new technology at its 37th testing event, UnPlugFest (UPF) 37. This is set to take place in October 04-08, 2010, in Barcelona, Spain. Members are encouraged to use this opportunity to test their devices against the fresh Bluetooth v4.0 implementations, as well as against current Bluetooth gadgets from the organization's library.