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Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology Surpasses One Billion DevicesBELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluetooth enabled products are now in the hands of one billion consumers worldwide said the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today. Citing shipment information from ABI Research, the trade association announced that the installed base of Bluetooth devices reached one billion in early November. Weekly shipments of the wireless devices continue at a pace of 12 million per week. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061114/NYTU138 ) "To put this number in perspective, one billion is greater than the number of PC users in the world and equal to the number of mobile phones shipped this year," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth SIG. "Reaching the one billion milestone is a huge win for the Bluetooth industry and we want to congratulate and thank our 6,000 member companies whose innovation and products got us here. These are the same companies, along with new members, that will drive us towards our next goal of shipping two billion devices IN ONE YEAR in 2010. Exciting things are shaping up for Bluetooth wireless technology and with the advent of several new uses of the technology in 2007 in the home entertainment, medical and gaming arenas, I feel confident that Bluetooth technology will continue to surpass expectations." Cellular handsets continue to dominate shipment numbers, along with audio headsets. Stereo headsets, vehicles, media players, notebooks/PCs, and mice/keyboard devices also contribute to shipment numbers. Medical devices, gaming devices, camcorders, projectors and digital cameras are expected to grow in volume after the introduction of the high-speed Bluetooth specification in 2007. "One change in the marketplace we see really driving adoption of Bluetooth stereo headsets and contributing to that next billion devices is the growth of mobile TV," said Yoram Solomon, director of strategic marketing and industry relations, Texas Instruments, and president of the Mobile DTV Alliance. "It's pretty simple -- people want good quality sound when watching TV and the speaker built into mobile phones isn't going to cut it. Bluetooth stereo headsets provide the key quality component to the mobile TV experience." "The Bluetooth market has grown dramatically in 2006," said Stuart Carlaw, ABI Research. "Despite projections of a slight downturn in the cellular handset market this quarter, Bluetooth shipments will continue to grow at a strong pace with increased demand for the feature in mobile phones, headsets, stereo audio headphones and automobiles, among others. Also, the roadmap set in place by the Bluetooth SIG will enable new, higher bandwidth applications that will fuel the accelerated growth pattern for Bluetooth technology." 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. More than five new Bluetooth enabled products are qualified every working day and 12 million Bluetooth units are shipping per week. The installed base of Bluetooth devices is one billion and climbing, 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 [email protected] Asia-Pacific Eddie Chan Hill & Knowlton Asia Ltd. for the Bluetooth SIG +852 2894-6214 [email protected] Europe, Middle East, Africa Danny Devriendt Porter Novelli for the Bluetooth SIG +32 475353465 [email protected] 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/20061114/NYTU138http://www.newscom.com/cgi-b in/prnh/20050307/DAM007LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4PRN Photo Desk, [email protected] Bluetooth SIG CONTACT: Americas - Starr Million of INK Public Relations for theBluetooth SIG, +1-512-382-8981, [email protected]; or Asia-Pacific - Eddie Chanof Hill & Knowlton Asia Ltd. for the Bluetooth SIG, +852-2894-6214,[email protected]; or Europe, Middle East, Africa - DannyDevriendt of Porter Novelli for the Bluetooth SIG, +32-475353465,[email protected] Web site: http://www.bluetooth.com/ |