Lifehack Literacy: The History of Bluetooth

You’re probably already familiar with Bluetooth technology. Almost every device you use today uses it.

Despite its ease of use, many people may still be unaware of how Bluetooth became the popular technology it is today. Yet, we often use Bluetooth connections on wireless earphones, mice, keyboards, smart speakers, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices at home.

This technology is widely sought after as a wireless connection because of its ease of use. Simply activate pairing, and the devices will connect immediately. The long history of Bluetooth itself is crucial.

To understand the development of modern digital devices today, we can start with the history of Bluetooth. By increasing your technological literacy, you can understand the story behind the technology we use.

The Viking King Who Inspired

The history of Bluetooth is inseparable from Scandinavian history. Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson was the name of a Danish king around the 10th century who inspired this wireless communication technology.

Before forming a unified kingdom, the Danish tribes were separated. Harald was the one who united them. He also successfully conquered Norway, a significant achievement at the time.

It was from this story that engineers used Bluetooth as a symbolic name for uniting digital devices. This is because its operation is similar to King Harald uniting his realm.

The Beginning of the History of Bluetooth

The history of Bluetooth began in 1989 at Ericsson in Sweden. The initial focus was simple: creating a short-range wireless communication method to replace cables in electronic devices. The idea progressed to the prototype stage and began to attract the attention of other major technology companies.

In 1998, an organization called the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) was formed, consisting of Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, and Toshiba. This consortium established technical standards so that the technology could be used across brands and devices.

Jim Kardach from Intel was the one who proposed the name Bluetooth as a temporary code name. He likened the story of King Harald to their mission to unify communication protocols.

However, over time, the name Bluetooth stuck and eventually became the technology’s official name. The first public version appeared in 1999, marking the beginning of a new era of short-range wireless communication.

The Development of Bluetooth Technology

Talking about the history of Bluetooth cannot be separated from its development over time. Since its first introduction, Bluetooth has undergone rapid development.

Bluetooth development has been gradual, going through several versions with improved functionality and energy efficiency. Here are some important milestones in the evolution of Bluetooth technology:

1. Bluetooth 1.0

The first versions of Bluetooth were released in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These versions focused on basic pairing and connection functions.

Data transfer speeds were only capable of up to 1 Mbps, with several limitations in terms of compatibility and connection stability. However, this version laid the foundation for today’s more advanced technology.

2. Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)

The second version of Bluetooth was launched in 2004. This version brought significant improvements, including Enhanced Data Rate (EDR).

Development focused on increasing transfer speeds. This version was capable of sending data at speeds of up to 3 Mbps.

Additionally, this update resolves compatibility issues in the previous version, allowing devices to connect more quickly and stably.

3. Bluetooth 3.0 + HS (High Speed)

The third version of Bluetooth was released in 2009 with the High Speed ​​(HS) feature. This feature focused on developing higher-speed integration using WiFi networks as the transport layer.

Bluetooth 3.0 allows transfer speeds of up to 24 Mbps. This feature makes Bluetooth more efficient in transferring large files such as videos and multimedia data, without sacrificing connection stability.

4. Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE)

The fourth version of Bluetooth was released in 2010. This feature focused on developing energy efficiency for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

This fourth version also introduced the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) feature. This feature is designed for devices that require low power consumption.

It is used in fitness sensors, smartwatches, and IoT devices. BLE allows devices to connect without draining the battery, making it ideal for applications that require long battery life.

5. Bluetooth 5.0

The fifth version of Bluetooth was released in 2016. This version focused on improving the range, speed, and capacity of broadcast messages.

Bluetooth 5.0 is more efficient for IoT devices and smart home applications. It has four times the range and double the speed of the previous version.

Finally, this version allows more devices to connect simultaneously, even without compromising connection quality.

6. Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.4 was introduced in 2023. This version focuses on security enhancements, better energy efficiency, and Periodic Advertising with Responses (PAwR).

From a security perspective, Bluetooth 5.4 improves the ability to send encrypted data. This is crucial for devices that require privacy.

In terms of better energy efficiency, Bluetooth 5.4 consumes less power, resulting in longer battery life for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) and smart home devices.

The PAwR feature is a key feature that enables IoT devices to communicate two-way in a more efficient and structured manner.

7. Introduction to Bluetooth 6.0

Bluetooth 6.0 was introduced in late 2024. This version focused on delivering the key innovation of Channel Sounding for highly accurate and secure proximity tracking.

This technology enables more precise proximity tracking, which is particularly useful for location-based service applications such as indoor tracking and asset tracking.

Bluetooth’s Role in Modern Technology

The history of Bluetooth is inseparable from its role in modern technology. As a short-range 2.4 GHz wireless communication standard, Bluetooth enables wireless connection of devices, increasing efficiency and convenience.

The benefits of Bluetooth related to technological literacy are inseparable from its role as a fundamental concept for short-range wireless connectivity, innovations that continuously refine the technology, and learning in other fields such as IoT.

What will Bluetooth’s Role be in the Future?

Talking about the history of Bluetooth isn’t just about its past. We can create a predictive history of what might happen. In the future, Bluetooth could transform from mere wireless connectivity to the backbone of intelligent IoT connectivity and location-based services.

As the primary foundation of IoT and smart homes, Bluetooth is predicted to focus on mesh networking, LE audio, and Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL). This will become the standard for building automation, smart lighting, and energy management. Even retail will be dominated by ESL to replace paper for a more environmentally friendly solution.

As a location-based service, Bluetooth is predicted to focus on Bluetooth Channel Sounding and access control. This will make it a crucial indoor GPS or indoor positioning system for asset tracking, indoor navigation, and access security. It may even replace physical keys with smartphones to open smart doors or a car.

That’s the history of Bluetooth, which can improve your technological literacy. This way, you’ll understand that a process as simple as pairing and connecting actually involves a long process.

This understanding of Bluetooth will help as this technology develops in the future. The use of Bluetooth in communication devices is inseparable from International Type Approval.

This permit ensures that Bluetooth devices comply with the safety and quality standards established in a particular country. Certified Bluetooth devices are guaranteed safe to use and will not interfere with other devices.