Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group), the group in charge of developing and promoting the wireless Bluetooth technology, has announced the adoption of the WiMedia Alliance version of ultrawideband (UWB) as its future standard.

This new version of Bluetooth technology will meet the high-speed demands of synchronizing and transferring large amounts of data as well as enabling high quality video and audio applications for portable devices, multi-media projectors and television sets.

According to ArsTechnica, UWB works by sending out extremely quick pulses (on the order of nanoseconds) across a very wide bandwidth. The technology can be used not only for Bluetooth-style devices, but USB and TCP/IP protocols as well.

"The WiMedia Alliance looks forward to providing suppliers of Bluetooth products with a higher speed technology path that will enable the next generation of exciting new portable data applications," said Stephen R. Wood, president, WiMedia Alliance and UWB technology strategist at Intel.

One of the key components to the agreement between the Bluetooth SIG and the WiMedia Alliance will help UWB achieve global regulatory acceptance. Both parties have agreed to develop a high speed, high data rate Bluetooth solution that utilizes the unlicensed radio spectrum above 6 GHz. This move answers concerns voiced by regulatory bodies in both Europe and Asia.

The first products based on the Bluetooth UWB are likely to be available in 2008.