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Bluetooth 4.0 Devices To Make the Scene Later This Year

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the still-look-like-a-blue-tool dept.

Engadget is reporting that new Bluetooth 4.0 devices could be hitting the scene later this year, and it looks like Bluetooth low energy has been added to the spec. "But don't expect any dramatic changes in battery life for most of your gadgets: while the low energy spec introduces connectivity to a host of lower-power devices that have in the past relied on proprietary technology (such as watches, pedometers, and cats), your traditional Bluetooth devices, such as phones and laptops, will consume roughly the same amount of power. Indeed, the low energy spec is merely throwing smaller devices (with smaller amounts of data to transfer) in to the mix: if you want Trans-Siberian Orchestra to sound as glorious as ever on your wireless headphones, you'll need to push as much data (and hence draw as much power) with version 4 as you would with version 3."

7 of 48 comments (clear)

  1. Why are Bluetooth mouses so rare? by willoughby · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If I go to the Logitech website & check out wireless mouses I see 12 wireless of which 2 are Bluetooth. At the Kensington website there are 17 wireless mouses but only 2 are Bluetooth. Obviously I haven't kept up with wireless technologies but I thought Bluetooth was developed mainly with mouses & keyboards in mind. Are manufacturers shunning the technology or are users avoiding it? Are there problems with Bluetooth devices which a shopper should be aware of?

    1. Re:Why are Bluetooth mouses so rare? by DigiShaman · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Logitech makes the Bluetooth Mouse M555b model. After breaking my Mac Might Mouse into three pieces out of frustration, I purchased the M555b. So far, I haven't experienced any cursor lag our connectivity dropout. I'm very pleased with Logitech.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    2. Re:Why are Bluetooth mouses so rare? by Dynedain · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I only have a wireless keyboard/mouse combo for my HTPC.

      For all the desktops I use, I stick with wired keyboards and mice. No messing with batteries. No messing with whether the device is properly synched or not. Good luck using a bluetooth keyboard in the BIOS for example.

      The two cables from a keyboard and mouse really isn't that bad. Bluetooth headsets or microphones I'd be much more likely to consider, and game controllers (like the Wiimote) make a lot sense. But it's a bit of a solution in search of a problem on the desktop, IMHO.

      --
      I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
    3. Re:Why are Bluetooth mouses so rare? by peppepz · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Good luck using a bluetooth keyboard in the BIOS for example.

      By the way, if you have a Bluetooth dongle with HID support, a Bluetooth keyboard will work even in the BIOS. It will be seen as a standard USB/HID device. Just tested it with Apple's wireless keyboard on two different PCs.

  2. Dupe by Areyoukiddingme · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Can we at least not get dupes from yesterday?? Wait a week first, jeeze.

  3. What are... by ironjaw33 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Bluetooth cats?

  4. Re:Who actually uses BT? by TigerTime · · Score: 2, Interesting

    PS3 is bluetooth. And after using the Sony BlueRay remote with it, I beg for the day that all TVs, Cable Boxes, and receivers are bluetooth. No pointing, hoping that the IR picked up your signal. Wherever you are. How ever you hold the remote. Your clicks count.

    I'm shocked that those $100 Logitech remote controls don't have bluetooth built in. And i'm shocked that the $2000 TVs don't come with Bluetooth remotes that also have IR as a fallback option. All high end electronics should have Bluetooth as an option for their remotes.