Nokia is looking to roll out an update for its family of Windows Phone 8 products to introduce Bluetooth 4.0 support. Sources familiar with company plans have confirmed to The Verge that the update will include "low energy support for fitness devices like Fitbit, as well as a range of accessories Nokia is looking to launch".
We previously looked at leaked a PowerPoint slide detailing Bluetooth 4.0 support for the Lumia 520, 620 and 720, but Nokia will also reportedly be updating the 820, 920 and Lumia 1020 families of Windows Phones. All Nokia Windows Phone 8 hardware evidently include chipsets that support Bluetooth 4.0, but the functionality has yet to be enabled.
The Verge also notes that Nokia's new accessories will focus on Bluetooth low energy support combined with location services, including HERE Maps and HERE Drive. It's expected that Bluetooth 4.0 support will arrive in the Amber update (due in the coming weeks and months) but since the Lumia 925 and Lumia 1020 do not support Bluetooth 4.0, we could well be looking at a post-GDR2 update or the feature being enabled by a system software rollout, akin to Display + Touch.
Interestingly enough, this seems to be a Nokia-only endeavor with the Finnish company getting ahead of Microsoft for official Bluetooth 4.0 support. That means companies like Samsung, HTC and Huawei will either have to wait until Microsoft enables that feature (maybe by GDR3) or they will have to write their own Bluetooth stacks, something for which we wouldn't pin high hopes on.
Regardless, this is yet another example of how Nokia is driving the platform innovation while their competition sits by. Will future-enabled Bluetooth 4.0 support make a difference to you? How will you use it? Let us know in comments.
via: The Verge
