Bluetooth Audio: From Mono Headsets to High-Res Earbuds, the Wireless Standard Has Come a Long Way in 20 Years
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Originally intended for mono headsets and voice calls in the late 1990s, Bluetooth evolved to support higher data speeds and lower latency needed for music streaming by the mid-2000s.
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True wireless earbuds arrived around 2015, pushing Bluetooth innovation further with smaller devices, better battery life, and streaming to multiple earbuds.
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Bluetooth LE Audio standard introduced in 2020 enables lower latency and power consumption along with streaming to multiple receivers.
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Codecs like aptX HD have expanded Bluetooth's capabilities for delivering high-resolution audio quality.
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Uses cases continue to broaden with hearing aids, public venue audio via Auracast, and potential to "unmute your world" by tuning into silent TVs and announcements.