Plugable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter Dongle

About the product:

• Adds Bluetooth support to Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, or Linux PCs that don't already have it. Adds Bluetooth 4.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy) support to Windows 8 and higher.
• Supports Bluetooth speakers, headphones, headsets, keyboards, mice, and more. Extremely compact USB adapter. Safe to leave in for laptop travel. Energy efficient.
• Automatic install through Windows Update in Windows 10 with default Bluetooth stack. Includes Broadcom Bluetooth stack for Windows 8.1, 8 and 7 (available separately for 10). Works with Raspbian and Ubuntu on the Raspberry Pi.
• Does NOT add Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth 4.0) capability to Windows 7 and earlier. Does NOT work in car stereo systems or TVs. Does NOT work with Mac. NOT recommended for employer-provided computers.
• Some audio devices, such as the Bose QuietComfort 35, require downloading specific drivers to function in Windows 7.

Product description:

Add Bluetooth to your Windows or Linux computer and open the door to cordless convenience with Bluetooth headsets, headphones and speakers, along with Bluetooth mice, keyboards, and other devices.

Bluetooth 4.0 allows connection with recent Bluetooth Low Energy ("BLE" or "Bluetooth Smart") devices like Fitbit fitness trackers, iBeacons, and the latest generation of mice and keyboards. (BLE devices not supported in Windows 7 and earlier. Fitbit requires the Fitbit Windows 10 app).

Works with 32- and 64-bit Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, & Windows 10. Supports recent versions of popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora. (* Linux kernel versions 3.0.34, 3.2.20, and 3.4 and later)

Works with all Raspberry Pi models with Raspbian or Ubuntu Mate, including the new Raspberry Pi Zero. (Does not work with Windows IoT core on the Raspberry Pi)

Linux computers may need additional software and setup, and may not support all Bluetooth profiles. Specialized or minimal Linux verisons may not have Bluetooth support built into the kernel, and might not work without significant configuration. Many Linux distributions do not use the latest versions of BlueZ and Pulseaudio, which can create compatibility problems with devices unless those components, and the kernel, are updated.

Note: Some recent audio devices have pairing issues in Windows 7 or below, and in Linux with certain versions of BlueZ and Pulseaudio, due to their Bluetooth implementation. Beats and Bose audio devices may require downloading drivers from Plugable. Prior to Windows 8, Windows did not support Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth Smart/BLE) and related profiles. While most Bluetooth 4.0 and above headsets, headphones, and speakers work well with the Plugable Bluetooth adapter in Windows XP through 10, they may require downloading specific drivers. Plugable can help with this.

Compact size means you can leave it in your laptop when you are on the go. Connects up to 32 feet (10 meters) away.

Supports the following Bluetooth profiles (profile version varies):

• Windows XP
  • Bluetooth Core Spec Version 3.0
  • WIDCOMM software provides support for — A2DP, AVCTP, AVDTP, AVRCP, BIP, BNEP, BPP, DUN, FTP, GAVDP, HCRP 1.2, HFP, HID, HSP, OPP, PAN, PBAP, RFCOMM, SPP, SDAP, SYNC
• Windows Vista & 7
  • Bluetooth Core Spec Version 4.0 (No support for Bluetooth Low Energy)
  • WIDCOMM software provides support for — A2DP, AVCTP, AVDTP, AVRCP, BIP, BNEP, BPP, DUN, DID, FTP, GAVDP, HCRP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, OPP, PAN, PBAP, RFCOMM, SPP, SDAP, VDP
• Windows 8, 8.1, & 10
  • Bluetooth Core Spec Version 4.0
  • WIDCOMM software provides support for — A2DP, AVCTP, AVDTP, AVRCP, BNEP, DUN, DID, FTP, GATT, GAVDP, HCRP, HFP, HID over GATT, HID, HSP, OPP, PAN, PBAP, PXP, RFCOMM, SPP (limited*), SDAP, SYNC
  • Windows 10's Bluetooth stack provides support for:
    • Classic Profiles — A2DP, AVRCP, DUN, DI/DID, HCRP, HFP, HID, OPP, PAN, SPP(limited*)
    • Low Energy Profiles (most via RFCOMM) — Battery, Blood Pressure, HID over GATT, GATT (client only, server coming in Windows 10 Creators Update), Heart Rate, Health Thermometer, Running Speed and Cadence, Scan Perameters. Additional profiles coming in Windows 10 Creators Update.
• Linux
  • With kernel version 4.9+, BlueZ 5.44+, Pulseaudio 10+, and oFono
    • Classic Profiles — A2DP*, AVCTP, AVDTP, AVRCP, AVRCS, DID, DUN, GAVDP, GOEP, HCRP, HDP, HFP*, HID over GATT, HID, IAP, MAP, MPS, OBEX, OPP, PAN, PBAP, RFCOMM, SAP, SPP
    • Low Energy Profiles — Alert Notification, Cycling Speed and Cadence, GATT, HID over GATT, Heart Rate, PXP, Scan Perameters, Time

Note: Many devices require support for multiple profile to fully pair and function. Software issues are the responsibility of Broadcom for WIDCOMM software, Microsoft for the Windows stack, and the respective Bluetooth open source projects for Linux issues. Linux support for Bluetooth is frequently updated and often has bugs with particular profiles, profile support information is based on Bluetooth SIG qualified listing data and release note information from software developers.

*Windows Serial Port Profile support is mostly available for devices rather than developers in Windows 8 and above. Microsoft recommends using RFCOMM instead of SPP in recent Windows versions.

*Linux support for Bluetooth audio such as A2DP and HFP/HSP is undergoing significant development and may not function as changes occur.