News
Apple: Bluetooth to be unlocked in iPod touch 2G
Shortly following Apple’s release of the second-generation iPod touch, which unexpectedly added Nike + iPod receiver functionality to the touchscreen device, a hardware teardown by iFixit revealed the presence of a Broadcom BCM4325 chip with integrated Bluetooth support. The chip was determined at the time to be used for communication with the optional Nike + iPod Sensor accessory, but had no other known purpose.
During the iPhone OS 3.0 Event today, Apple announced that it would be unlocking the Bluetooth functionality of this chip upon the release of the new software, enabling features such as AD2P Stereo Bluetooth streaming, wireless gaming, and other application-to-application communications to be used by developers. It is unclear whether Apple will make all of the Bluetooth features of iPhone OS 3.0, including monaural headset support for phone calling, available to second-generation iPod touch users.
Next: Questions linger following iPhone OS 3.0 event
Previous: iPhone 3.0 app demos highlight new features, gaming
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Enter the CES Exhibits Plus Pass Giveaway today
- Wider distribution boosting iPhone sales in France
- Chinon rolls out AVi portable iPod speaker
- TomTom intros separate Car Kit for iPod touch
- iLounge and MusicSkins announce the Ultimate Design Contest
- Latest edition of iPodweek coming shortly
- Apple planning more iPod touch apps for retail?
- Gameloft, others cutting back on Android development
- Google launches Google News for iPhone, iPod touch
- Magellan releases RoadMate app, Car Kit coming
Recent Reviews
- Electronic Arts Command & Conquer Red Alert
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini
- iHome iHM79 Rechargeable Mini Speakers
- Elexa Consumer Products iBlink
- Bose SoundDock 10
- Shure SE115m+ Sound Isolating Headset
- Apple Remote (2009)
- Kensington Travel Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone
- Tapulous Metallica Revenge
- Electronic Arts NBA Live by EA Sports
Recent Articles
- The Complete Guide to Using the iTunes Store
- iPhone Gems: Brain Challenge 2, Impossible Quiz, Jeopardy, Trivia Wars + Wheel of Fortune
- The Complete Guide to Album Tagging, Art and Playlists in iTunes
- Ask iLounge 11-13-09
- The Complete Guide to iTunes Audiobooks, Podcasts + iTunes U
- Ask iLounge 11-6-09
- iPhone Gems: Asphalt 5 and Doom Classic
- Ask iLounge 10-30-09
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of Apple TV 3.0
- Ask iLounge 10-23-09

1
Yay! I have an iPod touch 2G, I’m glad to see that the iPod touch will benefit significantly from iPhone OS 3.0.
Posted by Simon Boulle on March 17, 2009 at 1:52 PM (PDT)
2
knowing apple they would make the bluetooth functionality only available to users on the new software (3.0)
Posted by mikelarry85 on March 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM (PDT)
3
Bit of a bummer that it’ll cost us $10, but it looks to be worth it!
Posted by jandsroberts on March 17, 2009 at 3:02 PM (PDT)
4
So it seem like the 2nd Gen Ipod Touch has bluetooth…
What about the people who have purchased the Ipod Touch 1st generation users….We believed in Apple to take a chance on the 1st generation…If they would have let me know I would have just only bought the 2nd Gen.
Do we know for sure that 1st gen adopter won’t be let out to dry and have to purchase the 2nd Gen version?
Posted by james Parish on March 17, 2009 at 5:34 PM (PDT)
5
Will Bluetooth work with wireless keyboard?
Posted by jerry zurek on March 17, 2009 at 7:13 PM (PDT)
6
does that mean that you can play music over the A2DP Bluetooth to a car sterea head unit ???
Posted by dennis on March 17, 2009 at 7:40 PM (PDT)
7
@Jerry: from what I have read, no. :(
Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on March 17, 2009 at 8:46 PM (PDT)
8
I wonder if it would connect to my bluetooth GPS dongle? That would be cool.
Posted by Garth on March 18, 2009 at 3:07 AM (PDT)
9
I wonder if it will work with Skype type apps or to make VoIP calls via Bluetooth headset.
Posted by Jonathan on March 26, 2009 at 6:35 PM (PDT)
10
upgraded my ipod touch 2g to version 3.0,,but didn’t work with my sony bluetooth headset!
Posted by gio on June 27, 2009 at 7:08 AM (PDT)
11
i have updated my ipod touch 2nd to firmware 3.0 but i cannot activate the bluetooth, in fact i do not see any application for bluetooth. if there is one can someone please tell me how to activate the bluetooth on my ipod touch
Posted by Nerine on July 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM (PDT)
12
Ok so here’s the deal I have the iPod touch 2G with OS 3.0 and I was wondering why it is not recognizing my Nokia BH-101 Bluetooth headset I was wondering if it will only work with the specified list of compatible ones for the iPhone or not if any one can help it would be great!!!!!
Posted by Matt Ellis on July 13, 2009 at 9:13 PM (PDT)