Bluetooth 3.0 Standard Announced – in Time for iPhone 3.0?
We mentioned Bluetooth 3.0 before, and now it looks like the spec is getting a tad more specified. WMExperts has the story covered but suffice it to say it’s stronger, better, faster, longer. (Or at least it borrows 802.11 WiFi power when it needs to be).
Lot’s we still don’t know, however, including whether by some miracle Apple could have it ready — or at least ready to be upgradable — by the time we get some new iPhone hardware this summer. Also, whether or not we’ll be able to use BT 3.0 for wondrous things like wireless local syncing of ginormous media files.
With the new accessory access APIs announced as part of iPhone 3.0, however, it looks like we will be seeing some amazing new stuff coming our way… at some point.
What would you like to see?
April 24th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Over on Endgadget they have details on the chip already in the 3g iPhone, a Broadcom number. Apparently it has been certified as 3.0 ready. What that means, essentially, is that Apple can upgrade iPhones to 3.0 via a firmware update at any time. Let’s hope they acutally do it!
April 24th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Maybe they’ll open up that Bluetooth API a little. You still can’t initiate a voice-dial from a headset with an iPhone. My coal-powered 2004 Motorola can do that. Handsfree calling, a critical feature for use in the car. Should have been there on day one. I’d love to buy the new iPhone but I HAVE to have this feature. Worked in Bluetooth 1.2 on a $10 phone – please Apple, add it to the new release!
April 24th, 2009 at 8:07 am
if im correct, bluetooth 3.0 will not be broadly available for at least 9-12 months, meaning even if iphone gets it, or has it, it still wont be that useful. im betting that since the timespan was said to be 9-12 months, that gives it perfect timing for iphone 4.0…Along with USB 3.0:)
April 24th, 2009 at 8:08 am
apple does have voice control coming…look it up
April 24th, 2009 at 8:13 am
@loramar, I haven’t seen the Engadget article. But BT 3.0 uses a modified 802.11 (WiFi) band for data transfer, probably requiring a new chip with that band and also to take advantage of the better power management that 3.0 will offer.
April 24th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Oh, forgot. I don’t think they will get it into the iPhone this year. Probably not enough chips out there to buy, and Apple likes to buy in bulk.
However, if they did somehow get it or when they do they need to get wireless sync asap with the new speed. Still can’t believe the Zune does and the iPod/iPhone can’t.
April 24th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Should be ready for Apple to include it in time for iPhone OS 4.0- there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that it will be ready for iPhone OS 3.0 in June. Of course Jobs will probably say that no one uses BT or BT 3.0 is a battery hog and so it won’t be on iPhone OS 4.0 either.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
@sting7k The chip in the iPhone has already been certified for 3.0. It’s a done deal. It can support the new standard with a firmware upgrade. Check Endgadget for the details.