Looks like we’ve got the first phone that will boast the next-gen Bluetooth tech. The Bluetooth SIG that certifies every Bluetooth enabled device has approved Samsung’s upcoming S8500. There’s no picture or detailed specs of the device but the listing claims it to be a “stylish” touch phone. Other things revealed were 3.1-inch AMOLED anti-reflective display with high resolution, slim design and support for quad-band GSM.

The chances are slim but you can pin your hope to see it at the MWC that begins in a couple of weeks.

[Via Phonescoop]

Bluetooth SIG has formally adopted the new Bluetooth 3.0. The latest iteration called as Bluetooth 3.0 + HS (stands for High Speed) uses the same 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol which enables it to give a throughput data transfer rate of up to 24Mbps. Bluetooth 3.0, basically creates an ad hoc Wi-Fi connection between devices that feature both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios, thus making quick transfers and considerably faster than Bluetooth 2.0.

Apart from speed, Bluetooth 3.0 is backward compatible and offers Enhanced Power control for more stable connections and Unicast Connectionless Data for faster transfers at low power.

Bluetooth 3.0 equipped devices will be out in the market by Q4 of this year.

Press Release

[Via Mike's Blog]

The Bluetooth SIG group is all set to make the ubiquitous short range communication faster, at par with Wi-Fi speeds. The official and full details will be out within two weeks from now but few things that makes Bluetooth 3.0 special are:

- Increased bandwidth to allow users to transfer content within seconds
- Enhanced Power Control to prevent dropping of connection when the device is put in a bag or pocket
- Unique hand-off mode that will create a one-to-one Wi-Fi connection and switch to it if Bluetooth auto discovers the Wi-Fi radio present in both the devices.

[Via Electronista|Image]