Despite Bluetooth technology being incorporated in a ton of today’s devices, its 2.0 version provided users with a lot of problems that prevented it from becoming a major means of connectivity. Due to things such as sudden reception drops, software glitches, and even the hassles of pairing devices, people continued to prefer other mediums instead. Supposedly, Bluetooth 4.0 (aka Bluetooth Smart Ready) is about to change all of that and earn a better reputation. It’s already available in a number of newly released devices such as the Apple iPhone 4s and Motorola Droid Razr.
Although the general range of Bluetooth 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 remain the same at up to 300 feet, there was a significant improvement in the data transfer capabilities from 2.0 to 3.0. Bluetooth 2.1 was capable of 2Mbps of theoretical data throughput while the 3.0 version could do 26Mbps, the latter being fast enough to handle video streaming and other data intensive tasks. Also, Bluetooth 3.0 provided compatibility with NFC (near field communication) chips and allowed a more simple pairing process, which was done by tapping the two devices together.
So what then is the improvement in Bluetooth 4.0? The answer is energy efficiency, giving devices longer battery life. Users will see longevity increase by five to ten times, depending on how often they use Bluetooth. With this type of performance, Bluetooth 4.0 is likely to make an impact on the health and personal fitness market, with a plethora of gadgets that have already been made to track a person’s daily activity with the aim of improving his or her lifestyle. In a nutshell, the new enhancements made on Bluetooth 4.0 will open the door to new accessories, gadgets, game ideas, toys, and apps.