In-Stat Predicts Bluetooth-Enabled Device Shipments Will Top 2 Billion In 2013

Bluetooth has become in some ways an afterthought, as it seems like it’s baked into everything even remotely mobile, rivalling the ubiquity of WiFi. Thus, it’s no surprise that, according to In-Stat’s predictions, more than two billion Bluetooth-enabled devices will ship in 2013.

What’s more intriguing is where and how Bluetooth is evolving. “Classic” Bluetooth is still going strong, but Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed (HS), Bluetooth 4.0, and Bluetooth 4.0 + HS are emerging. As the press release points out, the various iterations of the Bluetooth standard are present in product categories that include (take a deep breath):

“...mobile phones, mono headsets, mobile and desktop PCs, USB adapters, aftermarket cards, printers and multifunction peripherals, mice and keyboards, video game consoles and controllers, handheld games, digital TVs, portable media players, camcorders, stereo headsets, speakers, remote controls, automotive, medical and industrial devices.”

Those categories cover devices in the PC, PC peripheral, communications, CE, automotive, medical, and industrial markets. By and large, the various versions Bluetooth of finding a foothold in their respective markets and applications, although BT 3.0 + HS is struggling somewhat; still, Bluetooth is penetrating new product categories, so count on seeing it in product specs even more than you already have.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., August 17, 2011 - Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range wireless standard that enables a broad array of electronic devices to connect. The technology continues to evolve and expand, taking advantage of the desirable attributes it possesses: small-form factor radio, low power, low cost, built-in security, robustness, ease-of-use, and ad-hoc networking abilities. New In-Stat (www.in-stat.com) research is forecasting continued success, with expected Bluetooth-enabled device shipments to exceed 2 billion in 2013.

“Bluetooth continues to gain design wins over a wide range of applications, with Bluetooth device shipments increasing by 23% between 2009 and 2010,” says Brian O’Rourke, Research Director. “Bluetooth has been bolstered in the past year by the emergence of two new standards. Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed (HS) combines classic Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to transmit large data files and Bluetooth 4.0, which offers much lower power consumption than classic Bluetooth and targets medical and fitness devices, as well as PCs and mobile phones.”

Other details from the report include:
-Classic Bluetooth will remain the leading BT interface throughout the forecast period.
-Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed is a software-only solution that allows Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to work together.
-Bluetooth 4.0 primarily targets new BT markets: medical, fitness, and security devices.
-Bluetooth 4.0 + High Speed option expected to hit the market in mobile phones by the end of 2011.
-Automotive BT now common option in mid-priced sedans.

Recent In-Stat research, Bluetooth 2011: Rapid Growth for Established Interface (#IN1104968MI), is a PowerPoint report which covers the worldwide market for Bluetooth technology. It includes:

-Unit shipment forecasts for Bluetooth-enabled devices by product category for four different Bluetooth standards (Classic BT, BT 3.0 + HS, BT 4.0, and BT 4.0 + HS) through 2015.
-Product categories include mobile phones, mono headsets, mobile and desktop PCs, USB adapters, aftermarket cards, printers and multifunction peripherals, mice and keyboards, video game consoles and controllers, handheld games, digital TVs, portable media players, camcorders, stereo headsets, speakers, remote controls, automotive, medical and industrial devices.
-Analysis of Bluetooth standards and integration.
-Review of competitive technologies.