Five ways for consumers to experience more of Bluetooth(R) wireless technology demonstrated

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10 -- The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the winners of its second annual Best of CES Contest, an event during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), to highlight the newest, most innovative and consumer friendly Bluetooth enabled products.

Thirty-three member companies of the Bluetooth SIG submitted Bluetooth enabled products in the categories of mobile phone, headset, audio, printing and imaging and Human Interface Device (HID). The Bluetooth SIG carefully tested each product and judged them on a variety of criteria, including ease-of-use, look and feel and overall usability of the product as expected by the average consumer.

Bonus points were given to products complying with Experience Icon requirements. The Experience Icons make it simple to understand what a Bluetooth enabled device can do and how it will work with other devices for file transfers, printing, listening to stereo audio and more. Manufacturers are encouraged to use the icons on packaging of certified Bluetooth enabled products. Consumers can simply match Experience Icons to ensure a seamless wireless experience.

Winners of the Bluetooth SIG Best of CES contest are (finalists indicated in parentheses):

  -- Overall - Motorola O ROKR
  -- Mobile Phone - Samsung Blackjack(TM)] [finalist: Samsung SPH-m10]
  -- Headset - Plantronics Discovery 665 [finalist: Motorola Portable
      Bluetooth Hands-Free Speaker T305]
  -- Audio - Logitech(R) FreePulse(TM) Wireless Headphones [finalist:
      Motorola O ROKR]
  -- Printing and Imaging - HP Photosmart A618 [finalist: Kodak EasyShare
      Photo Printer 350]
  -- Human Interface Device (HID) - Newton Peripherals MoGo Mouse X54
      [finalist: Logitech(R) diNovo Edge]
  -- Honorable Mention - Parrot MK6000, Peiker Bluetouch Music, Jabra A125s

"At CES, we continue to see a growing number of new Bluetooth devices. It's the perfect event to put the spotlight on companies that have developed the most innovative, consumer friendly products currently available," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. "In 2007, we expect to see Bluetooth technology advancements in the medical, automotive and home entertainment sectors, and the introduction of groundbreaking products with which consumers will enhance their lives with Bluetooth wireless technology."

Finalists in each Bluetooth SIG Best of CES category were displayed at Pepcom's Digital Experience! press event on the eve of CES, as well as in the Bluetooth SIG pod at the Sands Exhibition Center. Press and analysts who attended were able to cast the final vote for the winner of each category. The winners were announced at the Bluetooth SIG member party at Tao in the Venetian on Tuesday evening.

The winning products will be featured on The News Market, a site for media professionals to download, search and get information quickly for upcoming stories, sent on a broadcast tour where the devices will be shown in top markets across the country, and highlighted in the first issue of the upcoming Bluetooth SIG magazine, SIGnature, The Bluetooth Quarterly. These products will be available for demonstration at the Bluetooth SIG booth (69834S) in the Sands Exhibition Center at CES through Thursday, January 11.

The Bluetooth SIG announced in early November that the installed base of Bluetooth devices is currently at one billion. Weekly shipments of the wireless devices continue at a pace of 12 million per week. Cellular handsets continue to dominate shipment numbers, along with audio headsets. Stereo headsets, vehicles, media players, notebooks/PCs, and mice/keyboard devices also contribute to shipment numbers. Medical devices, gaming devices, camcorders, projectors and digital cameras are expected to grow in volume after the introduction of the high-speed Bluetooth specification in 2007.

About Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology is the global short-range wireless standard for personal connectivity of a broad range of electronic devices. The technology is now available in its fourth version of the core specification and continues to develop, building on its inherent strengths -- small-form factor radio, low power, low cost, built-in security, robustness, ease-of-use, and ad hoc networking abilities. More than five new Bluetooth enabled products are qualified every working day and 12 million Bluetooth units are shipping per week. The installed base of Bluetooth devices is one billion and climbing, making it the only proven choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide.

About the Bluetooth SIG

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, consumer electronics, automotive and network industries, is driving development of Bluetooth wireless technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Promoter group companies Agere, Ericsson, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, along with over 7000 Associate and Adopter member companies. The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. headquarters are located in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A. For more information please visit http://www.bluetooth.com/.