Bluetooth bites into the mainstream

Bluetooth-enabled devices are poised to enter mainstream markets as sales of equipment supporting the technology will see a 60 per cent compound annual growth rate between 2003 and 2008.

A report from In-Stat/MDR noted that Bluetooth mobile phones, PDAs and headsets have been making significant sales gains over the past year.

The analyst firm also found sales of Bluetooth kit taking off in the automotive market and the emerging sector of personal mobile gateway products.

"Most of the end-use markets for this technology seem to be making significant headway," said Joyce Putscher, director of In-Stat/MDR's converging markets and technologies group.

Putscher added that hands-free regulations and car manufacturers are helping to drive the movement toward Bluetooth cordless headsets.

Consumers will be able to use them with a multitude of products, from mobile phones to digital audio players and game devices, PCs and office phones.

The report indicated that products compliant with the Bluetooth 1.2 version that includes the Adaptive Frequency Hopping profile will emerge this year.

But the study predicted that even by 2008, mobile phones will still be the most common device to feature Bluetooth.

See also:

No wireless at Westminster, MPs told

Threat of 'bluesnarfing' attacks prompts wireless ban until security can be guaranteed  06 May 2004

Mobile market continues sales boom

Shipments up 30 per cent as consumers snap up colour screens and built-in cameras  06 May 2004

Check out the wireless options

The integration of mobility and real-time information into user-friendly wireless solutions has resulted in an explosion in the number of portable information devices and increased use of wireless technology.  26 Apr 2004

Bluetooth faces a quicker rival

Ultra Wideband wireless promises fast, short-range communications with good security  01 Apr 2004

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