TWICE: Bluetooth is getting a technology boost to make it easier for devices to “recognize” one another and to conserve battery energy.
At the CTIA show, The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced a new specification that requires fewer steps to pair two Bluetooth devices. It also increases the battery life of devices such as keyboards and mice by up to five times.
With the new standard, users do not need to enter a personal identification number but receive secure encryption automatically. “For example, pairing a Bluetooth headset and mobile phone is as easy as turning on the headset, selecting ‘Add Headset’ from the phone menu, and then watching the phone confirm it has found, connected with an encrypted link and paired the headset,” said the group.
Users can also now hold two devices together within close range to start the pairing process.
The new standard is called Version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate).
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