Bluetooth-enabled Device Shipments to Hit 2B in 2013

Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range wireless standard that enables a broad array of electronic devices to connect. The technology continues to evolve and expand, taking advantage of the desirable attributes it possesses: small-form factor radio, low power, low cost, built-in security, robustness, ease-of-use, and ad-hoc networking abilities. New In-Stat research forecasts continued success, with expected Bluetooth-enabled device shipments to exceed 2 billion in 2013.

“Bluetooth continues to gain design wins over a wide range of applications, with Bluetooth device shipments increasing by 23 percent between 2009 and 2010,” says Brian O’Rourke, Research Director. “Bluetooth has been bolstered in the past year by the emergence of two new standards. Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed (HS) combines classic Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to transmit large data files and Bluetooth 4.0, which offers much lower power consumption than classic Bluetooth and targets medical and fitness devices, as well as PCs and mobile phones.”

Other details from the report include:
• Classic Bluetooth will remain the leading BT interface throughout the forecast period.
• Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed is a software-only solution that allows Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to work together.
• Bluetooth 4.0 primarily targets new BT markets: medical, fitness, and security devices.
• Bluetooth 4.0 + High Speed option expected to hit the market in mobile phones by the end of 2011.
• Automotive BT now common option in mid-priced sedans.

In-Stat