Bluetooth(R) Technology Gives Consumers the Ultimate Wireless Music Experience

Bluetooth(R) Technology Gives Consumers the Ultimate Wireless Music Experience

Consumers can easily stream Hi-Fi quality sound through Bluetooth enabled devices

BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the newest uses of Bluetooth technology is the ability to wirelessly stream music from a mobile phone to a stereo headset. Beyond the mobile phone, Bluetooth technology enables users to listen to music from media players and personal computers through Bluetooth enabled devices such as speakers, headphones, home stereos and car stereos, all without the hassle of wires. November has been declared "Bluetooth Music Month" by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in order to highlight the many ways consumers can listen to Hi-Fi stereo music wirelessly.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061106/NYM199 )

A2DP Enabled Phones

According to In-Stat Research, streaming music is the most accepted multimedia service offered by wireless carriers. Bluetooth devices that are able to wirelessly stream high-quality music are enabled with the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) which ensures interoperability among devices with the same profile. Many new phones on the market include the A2DP profile, enabling consumers to download songs to their phone and listen to CD-quality sound wirelessly through their Bluetooth stereo headset or other audio playback devices. Samsung, LG, Nokia and Motorola are just a few of the manufacturers that offer A2DP enabled phones. A few of the phones available today include the LG Chocolate, the LG LX 550 and the Nokia 8810.

"Streaming music with Bluetooth technology is quickly catching on as a way for consumers to enjoy stereo quality audio wirelessly," said Michael Foley, Ph. D., executive director, Bluetooth SIG, "Many of the major carriers are continuing to develop more A2DP enabled phones which will ensure interoperability with any phone or headset that is compliant with this specification, and consumers are understanding the benefits of how Bluetooth technology improves their music listening experience."

Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

There are several Bluetooth enabled stereo headphones on the market today which enable users to wirelessly listen to stereo music from their A2DP enabled device (such as an MP3 player, PC or PDA). Many of these models also enable users to make and take calls from their Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. When there is an incoming call, the music is paused and the user simply presses a button on the headphones to answer the call. With Bluetooth stereo headphones, such as the Motorola Bluetooth Stereo Headphones, users can also wirelessly switch between a wide variety of sources, such as a home stereo, computer or MP3 player with accompanying Bluetooth stereo accessories.

A few other Bluetooth enabled headphones available today include the Bluetake i-Phono mini BT450Rx, Bluetake i-Phono Plus BT420Rx, the IOGEAR Bluetooth Stereo Headphones, the Plantronics Pulsar 590A Bluetooth stereo headphones and the Jabra BT 620s.

"Bluetooth enabled stereo headphones enable consumers to listen to music wirelessly from their audio device without sacrificing any sound quality," said Ronny Chiu, president of Bluetake Technology Co., Ltd. "Consumers can enjoy extended battery life and listen to the music at a distance without the hassle of cumbersome cords."

The Bluetooth SIG recently launched the Experience Icon Program to guide and help consumers purchase interoperable products implementing Bluetooth wireless technology. When consumers and retailers see the Music icon, they will know at a glance that the device in question can wirelessly stream stereo quality audio to other Bluetooth enabled devices.

Music - The music icon means these products allow you to listen to Hi-Fi stereo music wirelessly. You are able to send music from your mobile phone, computer or other device bearing this symbol and listen using compatible speakers, headphones, home stereos and many other devices.

About Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology is the global short-range wireless standard for personal connectivity of a broad range of electronic devices. The technology is now available in its fourth version of the core specification and continues to develop, building on its inherent strengths - small-form factor radio, low power, low cost, built-in security, robustness, ease-of-use, and ad hoc networking abilities. Three new Bluetooth enabled products are qualified every day and 12 million Bluetooth units are shipping per week. The installed base of Bluetooth devices was over 500 million products at the end of 2005 and is projected to surpass one billion by the end of 2006, making it the only proven choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide.

About the Bluetooth SIG

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, consumer electronics, automotive and network industries, is driving development of Bluetooth wireless technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Promoter group companies Agere, Ericsson, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, along with over 6000 Associate and Adopter member companies. The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. headquarters are located in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A. For more information please visit http://www.bluetooth.com/.

The Bluetooth word mark and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Press Contacts:

Americas
Starr Million
INK Public Relations for the Bluetooth SIG
+1 (512) 382-8981
starr@ink-pr.com

Asia-Pacific
Eddie Chan
Hill & Knowlton Asia Ltd. for the Bluetooth SIG
+852 2894-6214
eddie.chan@hillandknowlton.com.hk

Europe, Middle East, Africa
Danny Devriendt
Porter Novelli for the Bluetooth SIG
+32 475353465
danny.devriendt@porternovelli.be

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Dr. Michael Foley http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=31627

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061106/NYM199
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050307/DAM007LOGO )
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Bluetooth Special Interest Group

CONTACT: Press: Americas: Starr Million of INK Public Relations,
+1-512-382-8981, starr@ink-pr.com; or Asia-Pacific: Eddie Chan of Hill &
Knowlton Asia Ltd., +852-2894-6214, eddie.chan@hillandknowlton.com.hk; or
Europe, Middle East, Africa: Danny Devriendt of Porter Novelli, +32-475353465,
danny.devriendt@porternovelli.be, all for the Bluetooth SIG

Web site: http://www.bluetooth.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Note to Editors: Media assets (stills and video) to accompany stories about Bluetooth wireless technology are available on Bluetooth.com, hosted by The NewsMarket: http://www.thenewsmarket.com/Bluetooth/br/Story/MultimediaPressPacks.aspx

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