The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has revealed more information about its forthcoming low-energy technology - Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0 – which is expected to be available this summer. Following this, devices running Bluetooth 4.0 are likely to go on sale at the end of the year.
It says Bluetooth v4.0 combines classic Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth low energy technology and Bluetooth high speed technology. Each function can be combined or used separately depending on the device and its planned use.
Michael Foley Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG, said "Bluetooth v4.0 throws open the doors to a host of new markets for Bluetooth manufacturers and products such as watches, remote controls, and a variety of medical and in-home sensors. Many of these products run on button-cell batteries that must last for years versus hours and will also benefit from the longer range enabled by this new version of the Bluetooth specification."