Cellphones to Use Bluetooth to Talk to Car Stereos

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced a new Bluetooth profile that will specify how a cellphone can connect to an in-car stereo system using the Bluetooth radio link.

"The mobile phone industry is expected to be an important volume driver for the adoption of Bluetooth wireless technology in the European market and both of these profiles will play a contributing role in continuing the technology's rapid success," said Michael McCamon, chairman of the Bluetooth SIG marketing committee. "The adoption of our Hands-Free profile signifies increased interest from the automotive industry in bringing Bluetooth wireless products to market while the Imaging profile will further the ability of mobile phones and other mobile devices to interact and share content."

Using the new Hands-Free profile, products that implement the Bluetooth specification can facilitate automatic establishment of a connection between the car's hands-free system (typically part of its audio system) and a mobile phone the driver brings into the car. Bluetooth wireless products that incorporate these new enhancements will enable a seamless, virtually automatic interface between the car and wireless products.

Doubtless the widespread adoption of this profile will impact on the sales of in-car handsfree units in the long-term as they will no longer be necessary. It should also make retailers lives easier as customers will no longer be constrained to buying a new handset that fits an old design in car handsfree unit."

Posted to the site on 26th February 2002