The new PlayStation 3 utilizes Bluetooth 2.0 EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) technology in the console and with its SIXAXIS™ wireless controllers (Buy Now at Amazon.com). This could be a sign that Bluetooth technology is finally living up to its high expectations as a dominant leader in wireless standards.

2006 has certainly been a milestone year for Bluetooth technology and its use in video game consoles. The PS3 joins the newly released Nintendo Wii as the only two major game consoles to utilize Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

Right out of the box, the PS3 is able to support 7 wireless Bluetooth PS3 controllers. This single feature opens up tons of possibilities for specific video games to offer multi-player options. Wireless Bluetooth PS3 controllers allow groups of up to 7 players to take part in a game together at once, and because the PS3 Bluetooth controllers are wireless, there won't be a huge headache of tangled wires.

One of the big drawbacks with the SIXAXIS wireless Bluetooth PS3 controllers is the fact that the batteries aren't replaceable. So, if a controller's battery decides to stop working, then you're pretty much forced to go buy a new one.

The SIXAXIS Bluetooth controller utilizes sensors designed to read when a player angles, tilts, thrusts or pulls; allowing game play to become a natural extension of the body. In order to match the breakthrough technology of the Nintendo Wii controller, Sony decided to add the motion sensors to the Bluetooth PS3 controllers at the last minute. As a result, not every game supports the motion sensitive feature.

Sony’s original design for the Bluetooth PS3 controller resembled the shape of a boomerang. However, Sony nixed that design, most likely due to all the negative feedback they were receiving. We applaud Sony for the decision to use the traditional controller design which most PlayStation users are accustomed to.

The Bluetooth PS3 controllers still have the same number of buttons and analog joysticks as the PS2 controllers. The notorious circle, square, X and, triangle buttons are in the same positions as the old controllers, and the dual analog joysticks and D pad are arranged the same.

Bluetooth specification version 2.0 EDR (A Bluetooth Specification Version offering enhanced data transmission speeds), which the PS3 and SIXAXIS wireless controllers use, provides several benefits. Bluetooth 2.0 EDR can transmit data at rates of up to 3 Mbps. Also, with built-in Bluetooth technology, the PS3 game console should be capable of supporting other Bluetooth devices like Headsets, handheld devices, Keyboards, and/or Mice.

The on-going battle for dominance in the video game console market continues to intensify between the industry leaders, Sony and Microsoft. Microsoft's newest game console, the Xbox 360, was released in the 2005 holiday season, which was almost a full year before Sony’s PS3 launch. However, Sony doesn’t appear to be concerned that their arch enemy has beaten them to the market. Sony expects to retain its console leadership through the loyalty of its gamers. Plus the PS3 promises to offer features that Sony believes will out-perform the Xbox 360, one of the biggest being the Bluetooth PS3 controllers.

Like the new PS3 controllers, the Xbox 360 controllers will be wireless, however, only the PS3 controllers will use Bluetooth technology. So, what this means is while the PS3 will be able to support up to seven controllers, the Xbox 360 will only support up to four controllers. This is a huge plus for the PS3 and its wireless Bluetooth controllers.