Bluetooth: Bluetooth(R) wireless technology becoming standard in cars

At least when it comes to the the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Let's hope that automotive engineers will listen to them. It's interesting to see that they such big hopes in Bluetooth for streaming music to your car stereo. Is that the Bluetooth killer app everybody was waiting for?

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) and enhancements to the existing Hands-Free Profile (HFP 1.5). These new profiles will greatly improve phonebook and dialing handling in the car, making it more convenient and straight-forward for drivers, car manufacturers and phone manufacturers to use Bluetooth wireless technology.

"Manufacturers and users alike recognize that Bluetooth technology is the perfect solution for hands-free systems; today's announcement of enhanced Bluetooth functionality will allow richer dialing and driving scenarios, and ensure safe phone handling in the car," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.

With the PBAP, the information from the mobile's phone book will be made available in the hands-free car kit making it accessible to the user. The user can simply download and browse the phone book from any mobile phone or PDA. The HFP 1.5 is updated to include common features from the mobile phone such as enhanced call control, phone status indicators, response and hold, and information about the subscriber number. In addition, audio quality is enhanced.

"Bluetooth wireless technology will start to become standard in cars in the near future," said David McClure, head of Telematics Research at SBD, automotive technology consultants. "The next technology driver after hands-free legislation is the desire from car owners to transfer music to the car stereo system via Bluetooth technology. Though mp3 players presently only use adapters to implement Bluetooth technology, we are seeing an increasing amount of mobile phones with mp3 functionality on the market. This will further push the need for built-in Bluetooth functionality in cars."

In a study on trends for in-car audio, SBD predicts that vehicle manufacturers will also adopt Bluetooth technology to enable the connection of portable digital music players to the car. Currently, wired solutions rely on proprietary connectors and basic auxiliary inputs but Bluetooth technology will provide a universal connection between the car and any Bluetooth equipped music player. The development of enhanced remote control functions will also allow the driver to choose the music they want to hear without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

Related news: Foursprung, Bluetooth

Source: PR Newswire

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