Amped Up Bluetooth to Provide Real World P2P File Sharing

Bluetooth is great for zapping homemade MP3 ringtones onto your cellphone and syncing contact information, but its not really up to the task of beaming large files from user to user because the data speed isn't fast enough.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) aims to change this, first utilizing what executive director Michael Foley, Ph.D. calls the "low hanging fruit" of WiFi, and second, by creating an ultra wideband version of Bluetooth that can attain similar speeds.

Stage 1: Since more portable devices are shipping with WiFi these days, the group will port all Bluetooth features for pairing, profiles, protocols, and security onto 802.11. When your Bluetooth-connected device wants to send or receive large files, it will be able to use all the usual Bluetooth features (browse, send file, get file, etc.) to upload or download files via WiFi.

Stage 2: An ultra wideband version of Bluetooth should increase throughput significantly, making it an viable option for surround sound (interesting related story) and large file transfers without the use of WiFi. Until then, Bluetooth will piggyback on 802.11 for big transfers.

In both stages, music fans should have yet anotherway to redistribute media without traversing ISPs, as well as an easier way to sync tracks from their own computers.

Here's the whole announcement:

BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY TO HARNESS THE SPEED OF 802.11

Bluetooth SIG expands its plans to meet the need forspeed ____

BARCELONA__, SPAIN, Mobile World Congress – Feb. 11, 2008__ –Wirelesstransfer of large format entertainment data – music, video, and photos– between devices at short range is imminent. The Bluetooth SpecialInterest Group (SIG) today announced a new way it will provide forconsumers’ growing need for speed.

The Bluetooth SIG is developing aninnovative method of radio substitution. It will allow the well known Bluetooth protocols, profiles, securityand pairing to be used in consumer devices while achieving faster throughputwith momentary use of a secondary radio already present in the device.
This architecture, called ‘Alternate MAC/PHY’ by Bluetooth SIG
members working on the specification, is taking on a two-phased approach as SIG
member companies drive the specification forward.

“This is the wireless technologyequivalent of ‘low hanging fruit,’” said Michael Foley,
Ph.D., executive director, the Bluetooth SIG. “What we’re doing istaking classic Bluetooth
connections – using Bluetooth
protocols, profiles, security and other architectural elements – andallowing it to jump on top of the already present 802.11 radio, when necessary,
to send bulky entertainment data, faster. When the speed of 802.11 isoverkill, the connection returns to normal operation on a Bluetooth radio for optimal powermanagement and performance.”

In 2006, the Bluetooth SIG announced theselection of the WiMedia Alliance brand of ultra wideband technology as a highspeed channel for Bluetooth
technology. This development work continues between the two organizationsin advance of widespread ultra wideband technology adoption – expected tobe co-located in many Bluetooth
devices. In the meantime, however, the SIG will make use of IEEE 802.11,
a technology already present in many of the devices demanding greater speeds.

This two-phased roadmap for higher speedswill allow for a steady evolution in Bluetooth
devices utilizing the presence of 802.11 today while continuing preparationsfor the presence of ultra wideband in the near future. “We’recommitted to speedy wireless personal area network connections and we’llalways be looking for the best near term and long term way to accomplishthat,” adds Foley. “The greatness of a generic alternate radioarchitecture being developed is that it’s adaptable.”

With the availability of high speed Bluetooth technology, device users canexpect to move their entertainment data between their own devices and thetrusted devices of friends, without the need for cables and wires. Someapplications consumers will experience include:

· Wirelessly bulk synchronizemusic libraries between PC and MP3 player**

· Bulk download photos to aprinter or PC **

· Send video files fromcamera or phone to computer or television**

Meanwhile, Bluetooth
devices will continue to offer the well known, low power and secure connectionsthat make up the nearly 2 billion products already on the market.
The core specification enabling the Alternate MAC/PHY is expected to bepublished to members in mid-2009 with work already well underway.

“The Bluetooth SIG is taking a logicalstep by applying Bluetooth protocols over an existing 802.11 radio to achieveefficient transfers of high data throughput applications," said FlintPulskamp, wireless and mobile analyst at IDC. "Since Bluetooth and 802.11
already have significant traction in mobile devices, this coupled solutioncould prove to be an efficient interim solution, as the Bluetooth SIG continuesto develop UWB for the future."

About Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

Bluetooth
wireless technology is the global short-range wireless standard for personalconnectivity of a broad range of electronic devices. The technology is nowavailable in its fourth version of the core specification and continues todevelop, building on its inherent strengths – small-form factor radio,
low power, low cost, built-in security, robustness, ease-of-use, and ad hocnetworking abilities. More than five new Bluetooth
enabled products are qualified every working day and 13 million Bluetooth units are shipping per week. Theinstalled base of Bluetooth
devices is nearly two billion and climbing, making it the only proven wirelesstechnology choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumersworldwide.

About the Bluetooth SIG

The Bluetooth SpecialInterest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications,
computing, consumer electronics, automotive and network industries, is drivingdevelopment of Bluetooth wirelesstechnology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Promoter groupcompanies Ericsson, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba,
along with over 10,000 Associate and Adopter member companies. The BluetoothSIG, Inc. headquarters are located in Bellevue,
Washington, U.S.A.
For more information please visit www.bluetooth.com.____

The Bluetooth word mark and logo are registered trademarks and areowned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.