Report: Bluetooth Shipments Continue DoublingReport: Bluetooth Shipments Continue Doubling

Once faced with doubtful market acceptance, Bluetooth is firmly established as a short-range technology for voice and data transmission, according to a report released Monday by In-Stat.

The high tech market research firm said 2005 will be the fourth consecutive year in which Bluetooth products more than double -- in 2005 to more than 316 million Bluetooth-enable units. The figure is expected to rise to 866 million in 2009.

“Mobile phones are at the core of Bluetooth’s popularity,” said Brian O’Rourke, In-Stat analyst, in a statement. “They are in turn helping Bluetooth penetrate into other products, including notebook PCs, mono and stereo headsets, automobiles, and portable digital music players.”

In-Stat noted that a new generation of Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) chips is beginning to reach the market. The new products provide greater bandwidth as well as lower power consumption.