ExtremeTech's Bryan Gardiner reports that the Bluetooth SIG today announced a new version of its technology, Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), which "will make the initial connection of Bluetooth devices easier by reducing the number of steps it takes to pair one device to another."

"Version 2.1 + EDR also increases security levels during the pairing process while also releasing the user from having to come up with a long, personal identification number to establish a secure connection," Gardiner writes. "Instead, this encryption will happen automatically."

The new version is expected to be made available to developers in the second half of 2007.

More here from ZDNet ... more here from Macworld ... more here from BetaNews ... more here from the::unwired ... and the Bluetooth SIG's press release is here.