The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has launched the Bluetooth Experience Icon Program to guide and help consumers purchase interoperable products implementing Bluetooth wireless technology. The icons will, at a glance, tell consumers and retailers about the products' functionalities enhanced by Bluetooth technology and aid the purchase and sales process.

The system aids in understanding functionality, illustrating the full capabilities of the device and ensuring two devices will perform a specific application. Bluetooth technology consists of profiles that define how devices perform certain applications together. The icons help simplify the number of profiles consumers are exposed to by grouping use cases.

Consumers will be able to look the product's packaging to find all applicable icons printed and simply choose products with the Bluetooth trademark and matching Experience Icons for a completely interoperable experience.

The current icons available to illustrate five functions of Bluetooth wireless technology are (from top to bottom): Print, Input (for keyboard, mouse), Headset, Transfer (indicates the device can wirelessly send and receive data, text, pictures, music or other files with other devices) and Music (indicating Hi-Fi stereo use for speakers, headphones, home stereos and other devices).

The Experience Icon Program shows how Bluetooth connectivity encompasses a growing number of applications including printing, inputting data, using a wireless headset, transferring files and listening to music.

There are plans to release other icons later this year, such as an icon for dial-up networking (DUN) and the automotive hands-free use case, and others will be developed as the Bluetooth technology experience expands to additional popular applications.

The Bluetooth SIG is communicating these to all manufacturers of Bluetooth devices to immediately begin using the Experience Icons on product packaging. The group will focus its marketing efforts on one icon per month.