Our History

Ever wonder about the history of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group? Check out the timeline below.

2017

  • The SIG adds Bluetooth® mesh networking capability to enable deployment of large scale device networks
  • The SIG launches the Bluetooth Qualification Consultant program
  • Google and Philips Lighting join the SIG Board of Directors
  • Membership at the SIG hits 33,000 companies
  • Annual Bluetooth product shipments surpass 3.6 billion*
  • Bluetooth World and Bluetooth Asia events hit record attendance
  • The SIG hosts largest Working Group Summit in history in Kirkland, WA
  • The SIG releases Launch Studio tool to simplify the product qualification process
  • Apple, Samsung, and other major smartphone vendors include Bluetooth 5 support

2016

  • The SIG announces Bluetooth 5 - new spec quadruples range, doubles speed, increases data broadcasting capacity by 800%
  • Bluetooth introduces new developer kits for the IoT
  • Bluetooth announces Imagine Blue Awards program
  • Membership at the SIG hits 30,000 companies
  • The SIG announces a new gateway architecture and toolkit for creating a connection to the cloud
  • The SIG introduces the Transport Discovery Service
  • The SIG announces Fliegl Tracker as the 2016 Breakthrough Awards overall winner

2015

  • The SIG shares its technology roadmap and enhancements for 2016
  • The SIG and FIDO Alliance Deliver Two-factor Authentication via Bluetooth with low energy
  • ARM, Broadcom and Plantronics join the Board of Directors
  • Apple joins the Bluetooth SIG as Promoter member
  • The SIG announces the launch of the Bluetooth Developer Studio​
  • Fitbit, Google, Under Armour and Lowe's Home Improvement join Bluetooth World as keynote speakers
  • The SIG announces the formation of the Smart Mesh Working Group
  • Membership at the SIG hits 27,000 companies

2014

  • The SIG introduces Bluetooth 4.2​, adds features for IP connectivity, privacy and speed
  • Membership at the SIG hits 24,000 companies
  • CNET Joins the Breakthrough Awards as exclusive media partner
  • The SIG expands Bluetooth World to three global event series
  • Qualcomm joins the SIG Board of Directors
  • Bluetooth hits 90 percent penetration in all mobile phones

2013

  • The SIG rolls out Bluetooth 4.1, sets the stage for IoT
  • The SIG introduces Application Accelerator for developers
  • Google announces native support for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) in Android
  • LG Electronics joins the SIG Board of Directors
  • Annual Bluetooth product shipments surpass 2.5 billion*
  • Membership at the SIG surpasses 20,000 companies
  • The SIG launches Bluetooth World

2012

  • Annual Bluetooth product shipments surpass 2 billion*
  • Membership at the SIG hits 17,000 companies
  • The SIG launches new resources for app developers 
  • The first Bluetooth Low Energy tablets and music players hit the market
  • The SIG Board appoints wireless veteran Mark Powell, as executive director
  • The SIG announces expansion into sports & fitness markets with new working group and new profiles for real-time running and cycling data monitoring
  • Dr. Steven Gray joins the SIG Board of Directors

2011

  • Membership at the SIG hits 15,000 companies
  • The SIG picks a 3D television for its Best of CES award winner
  • Apple and Nordic Semiconductor join the SIG Board of Directors
  • The SIG adopts the first new profile for Bluetooth v4.0 in May
  • Apple releases the first two computers (MacMini and MacBook Air) with Bluetooth v4.0 technology in July
  • Microsoft announces that Windows 8 will support Bluetooth v4.0
  • Apple announces that the new iPhone 4S will support Bluetooth v4.0 and become the first Bluetooth Low Energy phone
  • The SIG adopts 29 new Bluetooth v4.0 profiles, services, protocols and prototyping specifications, creating the infrastructure for Bluetooth devices

2010

  • Membership at the SIG hits 13,000 companies
  • The Bluetooth SIG headquarters moves to Kirkland, WA, USA
  • The Bluetooth SIG announces the formal adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0 with Low Energy technology
  • Profile Tuning Suite (PTS)  v4.1 is launched, including Bluetooth Low Energy technology test suites

2009

  • The SIG adopts Core Specification Version 3.0 HS, making Bluetooth high speed technology a reality
  • Membership at the SIG hits 12,000 companies
  • The SIG announces the adoption of Bluetooth Low Energy wireless technology, the hallmark feature in Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0

2008

  • The SIG celebrates its 10th anniversary
  • Nearly 2 billion Bluetooth enabled products shipped in 10 years
  • Membership at the SIG hits 10,000 companies
  • Bluetooth SIG Executive Director Mike Foley is named one of RCR Wireless News Mobile Movers & Shakers for 2008
  • Profile Tuning Suite (PTS) Version 3.0 is released, including automatic updates and further improvements to its report generation capabilities

2007

  • First Bluetooth alarm-clock radio
  • First Bluetooth television
  • Membership at the SIG hits 8,000 companies
  • Bluetooth SIG Executive Director Mike Foley wins the Telematics Leadership Award
  • PTS Protocol Viewer is released as part of the release of PTS Version 2.1.1 along with a greatly updated user interface and report generation capabilities

2006

  • First Bluetooth sunglasses
  • First Bluetooth watch
  • First Bluetooth picture frame
  • Bluetooth wireless reaches an installed base of 1 billion devices
  • Bluetooth enabled devices ship at a rate of 10 million per week
  • Profile Tuning Suite (PTS)  testing becomes a mandatory part of the Bluetooth product qualification process 
  • The SIG announces it will integrate Bluetooth technology with the WiMedia Alliance version of UWB

2005

  • Bluetooth product shipments soar to 5 million chipsets per week
  • Membership at the SIG hits 4,000 companies
  • The SIG Headquarters opens in Bellevue, WA; regional offices open in Malmo, Sweden and Hong Kong
  • The SIG launches Profile Testing Suite (PTS)  v1.0, a testing and qualification tool for members developed completely in-house

2004

  • The SIG adopts Core Specification Version 2.0 Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)
  • Bluetooth technology reaches an installed base of 250 million devices
  • Bluetooth product-shipment rate surpasses 3 million per week
  • First Bluetooth stereo headphones

2003

  • First Bluetooth MP3 player with  Bluetooth technology
  • The SIG adopts Bluetooth Core Specification Version 1.2
  • Bluetooth product shipments grow to 1 million per week
  • First FDA-approved Bluetooth medical system

2002

  • First Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo
  • First Bluetooth GPS receiver
  • Bluetooth wireless qualified products hit 500
  • IEEE approves the 802.15.1 specification to conform with Bluetooth wireless technology
  • First Bluetooth digital camera

2001

  • First Bluetooth printer
  • First Bluetooth laptop
  • First Bluetooth hands-free car kit
  • First Bluetooth hands-free car kit with speech recognition
  • The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. is formed as a not-for-profit, non-stock corporation

2000

  • First Bluetooth mobile phone
  • First Bluetooth PC card
  • Prototype Bluetooth mouse and laptop demonstrated at CeBIT 2000
  • Prototype Bluetooth USB dongle shown at COMDEX
  • First chip to integrate radio frequency, baseband, microprocessor functions and Bluetooth wireless software
  • First Bluetooth headset is shipped

1999

  • The Bluetooth 1.0 Specification is released
  • The SIG hosts the first UnPlugFest for member engineers
  • Bluetooth technology is awarded "Best of Show Technology Award" at COMDEX

1998

  • The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is formed with five companies
  • Membership at the SIG hits 4,000 companies by the end of the year
  • The name Bluetooth is officially adopted

*ABI Research​​​