Bluetooth v2.2 with WiFi and UWB support to be released in mid-2009 - UPDATED

[This story appears to be false. IMS Research has posted what the Bluetooth SIG is claiming to be incorrect information. The new Bluetooth system will not be called Bluetooth 2.2, though there will be a new version of the specification that could possibly be released in mid-2009. -editor]

The Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) has said that it expects to release Bluetooth v2.2 in mid-2009, which will bring faster data transfer speeds to the wireless technology. Bluetooth v2.2 is capable of using either WiFi or USB for faster speeds, and will be referred to as Bluetooth 10x or 100x, respectively.

In order to take advantage of the speed boosts, the device will obviously need to be equipped with either WiFi or UWB^(INFO) wireless USB technology. Given that many smartphones now have WiFi built-in, it's likely that they will be the first to begin offering Bluetooth v2.2. [via IntoMobile]