Global (Commonwealth Union) – Bluetooth is common technology across the world used in a wide range of every day devices that include cell phones, printers, computers and more. Bluetooth technology was developed in the 1990s by Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson. It was named after Harald Bluetooth, a Danish king.
The initial goal of Bluetooth was to create a wireless communication system that could replace cables for short-range connections between devices. The technology was designed to be low-power, cost-effective, and capable of connecting various devices such as mobile phones, computers, printers, and other peripherals.
The first version of the Bluetooth specification, Bluetooth 1.0, was released in 1999. Bluetooth 1.0 faced some challenges and limitations, including interoperability issues and slow data transfer rates. However, subsequent versions, such as Bluetooth 1.1 and 1.2, addressed these shortcomings and improved the technology’s performance and reliability.
In 2007, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR was released, offering improvements in pairing and security. This version introduced a simplified pairing process called Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) and enhanced encryption algorithms.
Bluetooth 3.0, launched in 2009, introduced the High-Speed Bluetooth (HS) feature, which allowed for faster data transfers by leveraging Wi-Fi technology. This version maintained backward compatibility with previous Bluetooth versions.
Bluetooth 4.0, released in 2010, introduced Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Bluetooth Smart. This energy-efficient technology enabled wireless connectivity for devices with limited power sources, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other IoT devices.
In 2016, Bluetooth 5 was announced, offering significant improvements over previous versions. It doubled the range, quadrupled the data transfer speed, and provided enhanced advertising capabilities. Bluetooth 5 also introduced the ability to transmit audio to multiple devices simultaneously.
Since Bluetooth 5, subsequent versions have focused on refining and optimizing the technology. Bluetooth 5.1 brought improved location tracking capabilities with the introduction of Direction Finding, while Bluetooth 5.2 focused on reducing interference and enhancing audio performance.