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Jolla Tablet Bluetooth class - downgrade or typo?

asked 2015-08-20 08:41:23 +0200

simo gravatar image

updated 2015-08-21 10:56:53 +0200

Currently, Jolla Tablet official specs are showing Bluetooth class 3.0

It's in contradiction with earlier info mentioning Bluetooth 4.0, shared on several ways ( TJC, Indiegogo, email from Jolla), so asking is this an uninformed downgrade to the specs, or is there just a typo in the specs page?

Edit:

1st, Bluetooth class is actually given as a single number, being either 1,2 or 3. Class is there for range, class 3 having max 1m, class 2 working on range of 5-10m. Most common in mobile devices is class 2

2nd, Bluetooth version is given as number and one digit, added by optional features, and it could be

  • Bluetooth 2.0 (data transfer rate 1Mbs)
  • Bluetooth 2.0 EDR (data transfer rate 3Mbs)
  • Bluetooth 3.0 (data transfer rate 3Mbs)
  • Bluetooth 3.0 HS (data transfer rate 24Mbs)
  • Bluetooth 4.0 / Bluetooth Smart (data transfer rate 24Mbs, support for Low Energy protocols)

Bluetooth 4.0 device can have dual mode (most smartphones) or single mode (majority of heart rate monitors etc). Dual mode enables connection to one LE device an one other Bt device, for example using a heart rate monitor and streaming music at the same time. LE mode has requirements for software, and is (so far) missing on Jolla Phone. Current official specs "Bluetooth 4.0 EDR HS" informs that the hardware support for LE exists, but software in not on that level yet.

3rd, there are protocols supported on software level, for example OBEX (objects), PPP (IP datagrams), A2DP (audio) etc.

In full, Bluetooth support could be informed including the version (core features), optional features (EDR/HS/LE), class (1,2,3) and all the supported protocols. Current Bluetooth Class 3.0 is very misleading

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Comments

2

For me it looks more like just a typo, as already Jolla Phone has Bluetooth 4.0 EDR HS (in the official specs), but this is something to be confirmed anyway. I also found this copypaste from earlier specs: https://together.jolla.com/question/63476/jolla-tablet/?answer=63481#post-id-63481

simo ( 2015-08-20 11:04:49 +0200 )edit
2

...and now it looks more like a downgrade again, as Jolla Online Shop, opened today, also informs 3.0. If this is only a software related downgrade (HW supporting 4.0 but software not being ready for that), there might be a later "upgrade" back to 4.0, But if there's a HW downgrade:

  • No connection to Low Energy single-mode devices, like most of the hearth rate monitors etc.
  • Connection speed from min 6ms (4.x to 4.x) to several seconds
  • Data transfer speed from 24Mbs to 3Mbs (unless 3.0+HS)

Anyways, would not be fair to inform about upgrades while silent on downgrades. We're worth knowing about both, and so are all the campaign participants. Still secretly hoping it's only a "typo" now just made twice.

simo ( 2015-08-20 23:09:49 +0200 )edit

Either in HW or SW the limitation is, it looks like LE support in SFOS will never happen... :-(

Macilaci457 ( 2015-08-21 08:09:41 +0200 )edit

There's nice progress on LE for Linux powered devices since this request https://together.jolla.com/question/64317/request-jolla-tablet-bluetooth-le-low-energy-software-support-wearable/?sort=votes&page=1

If only SW, check for example what's done with qtconnectivityand bluez on it: https://github.com/lainwir3d/qtconnectivity/network

simo ( 2015-08-21 08:37:20 +0200 )edit

2 Answers

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3

answered 2015-08-21 00:15:21 +0200

c.la gravatar image

Albeit some years ago, I did a thesis on bluetooth. To me this looks neither a downgrade nor a typo.

Class refers to the power output, by memory cl.1should be 100 meters range, 2for 10 meters(as is jolla phone) and 3 for a couple meters.

The bluetooth 4 is the protocol version, for sure not the class.

sorry to not elaborate more ATM but typing using jolla is so hard on TJC

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Comments

1

Then there's at least one typo - There is no such thing as "Bluetooth class 3.0" - there's class 3 (max 1m range) and Bluetooth v3.0 with its features. Current official info:

  • Jolla Phone: Bluetooth 4.0 EDR HS (according to jolla.com)
  • Jolla Tablet: Bluetooth class 3.0 (according to jolla.com & the new Jolla Online Shop)
simo ( 2015-08-21 01:01:41 +0200 )edit
1

answered 2015-08-21 14:44:44 +0200

rainisto gravatar image

Yes its a typo. It should state core sw version so s/class//;

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There are guidelines at www.bluetooth.org how to correctly communicate/market the bluetooth.

The best practices provides detailed information how to use Bluetooth terms and abbreviations in various marketing documents.

The brand guide contains pdf-file with all the examples

Kari ( 2015-08-21 15:57:43 +0200 )edit

so one typo having the extra word "Class", how about the version number then? 4.0 informed earlier, so do with end up with both a typo and a downgrade, or are there currently two typos in "Bluetooth Class 3.0"?

simo ( 2015-08-21 16:20:52 +0200 )edit

@simo: sw 3.0 vs hw 4.0

rainisto ( 2015-08-21 16:33:59 +0200 )edit
1

@rainisto Minor downgrade only on software level then, as the hw meets 4.0 standards. Maybe this correction to the official specs could describe the current situation the best way (having some market value as well)?

Bluetooth 3.0* (adding HS, if 24Mbs already in use)

* * Currently Sailfish OS is not ready for Bluetooth Low Energy technology, but Jolla Tablet hardware was selected prepared for that. Bluetooth 4.0 could be introduced later as a software update.

simo ( 2015-08-21 17:19:44 +0200 )edit

@rainisto Can you edit your answer to include both the typo and the downgrade, so this question can be closed with complete answer.

Also, please forward: shop.jolla.ru and Indiegogo campaign page are still showing Bluetooth 4.0

simo ( 2015-08-24 11:34:35 +0200 )edit
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Asked: 2015-08-20 08:41:23 +0200

Seen: 1,746 times

Last updated: Aug 21 '15