The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced they are extending the Bluetooth brand by introducing two new extensions to increase consumer awareness about device compatibility. The new Smart Marks, called Bluetooth Smart Ready and Bluetooth Smart, are designed specifically for Bluetooth v4.0 devices.
Bluetooth Smart Ready devices include common electronics like phones, tablets, PCs, game consoles and television sets that implement a Bluetooth v4.0 dual mode radio. Dual mode radio simply means that said device can receive data from Bluetooth Smart devices and do something with it. For example, record and chart calories burned from your morning run on a smartphone app.
Bluetooth Smart devices are described as sensor-like product such as a heart-rate monitor or pedometer, typically running on a button-cell battery that is designed to collect a specific type of information. These products include only a single-mode low energy Bluetooth v4.0 radio.
Bluetooth Smart Ready devices can connect to the billions of Bluetooth products already on the market as well as new products coming in the future. Smart devices can only connect with products featuring the Bluetooth Smart Ready logo or those designated specifically by a product manufacturer.
It all sounds a bit complicated but Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG believes it will ultimately help consumers understand which devices work best together.
"Here's the truth of the matter: Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth Smart Ready devices will revolutionize the way we collect, share and use information," said Foley. "In order to ensure consumers know what these extraordinary devices have to offer, we created the Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth Smart Ready marks. These new logos will help consumers manage compatibility, and encourage manufacturers to build their best Bluetooth devices yet."