When did this happen? I mean I know we told you Bluetooth 3.0 was officially unveiled and everyone’s excited about it but I wasn’t expecting manufacturers to show viable chips already. It looks like Broadcom did its homework and now it has the first certified Bluetooth 3.0 chip, the BCM4325. The new chip will use the new Bluetooth 3.0 protocols and it should be available soon for new devices. All it needs now is a great battery to make all those fast downloads happen.

via Broadcom

Tags: Bluetooth 3.0, Broadcom, chip, Mobile News, Other Brands, PAL

Just like we were expecting the new Bluetooth standard was presented today. It’s called Bluetooth 3.0 + HS and we hope it will replace soon the previous standard. And there’s new technology for us. Bluetooth 3.0 will use WiFi 802.11 protocols which means that it will soon be capable to interconnect various gadgets between them and we’re promised faster transfer speeds. That new 802.11 Protocol Adaptation Layer or PAL will bring us speeds of up to 24Mbps which is amazing.

The first question that came to mind was power-related. How much power will fast transfers need? And here’s where the good stuff starts. That PAL thing will remain inactive between transfers and idle power usage will be really low. Another great feature is the possibility of upgrading certain Bluetooth 2.1 modules straight to v3.0 as long as a 802.11 WiFi radio is present. That means that some mobile Bluetooth modules will never be upgraded and you will have to purchase new equipment to enjoy faster transfer speeds.

Broadcom, CSR and Atheros will offer silicon solutions to manufacturers and we might expect those future gadgets capable of Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity to arrive sometime in the next 9 to 12 months. It’s a lot to wait but I am sure it’s worth it. Check out the video above for a demo and let us know what you think.

via Press

Tags: 802.11, Atheros, Bluetooth 3.0, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, Broadcom, CSR, Mobile News, PAL, Portable Devices, WiFi