Intended to aid the transfer of large files such as video, audio and [...]]]> The Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) officially adopted the Bluetooth 3.0 HS specification today. Not that you would know it from the official Bluetooth.com and Bluetooth.org websites – neither appear to have any mention of it, apart from an almost fact-free blog entry.

Intended to aid the transfer of large files such as video, audio and high resolution digital photos, the new version supports speeds of up to 24Mbps. It does this by incorporating support for 802.11g to  enable Bluetooth over WiFi. The result should be a standard that delivers high data speeds and greater energy-efficiency.

Looking further into the future the next iteration of Bluetooth is likely to incorporate Ultra Wideband technology, which should boost data speeds to as much as 480 Mbps. Ideal for wirelessly delivering pictures that 72 inch glasses-free 3D display you will have in your living room by then.

Existing iPhone users will [...]]]> Noticed how Apple launch new versions of the iPhone and make the features available on the older nodels with a software update? Well Apple have announced a new software update for the iPhone and iPod Touch this summer, which tips the wink that a new iPhone will also be on the way.

Existing iPhone users will get the new software for free, while iPod users will have to pay ($9.95). The software is a bit of a catch-up for Apple, providing many features that are standard on other phones, such as voice memo and cut & paste. What isn’t known is whether any new phone will have hardware features that the current phones lack – iPhones have always been poor performers in the camera stakes so maybe the new version will have a decent camera and the ability to shoot video.

Other new features planned for the new software release include support for stereo bluetooth headphones on the iPhone 3G, wifi auto-login and in-device search. Apparently still missing from the iPhone’s feature-set will be support for Flash video.