Bluetooth technology was developed in 1994 by Ericsson in Sweden to eliminate the need for proprietary cable connections between devices. It uses short-range radio transmissions to allow wireless connections between nearby electronic devices like phones, computers, and other devices. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group was formed in 1998 to develop specifications so that Bluetooth devices from different manufacturers can interoperate. Bluetooth technology is now widely used to wirelessly connect a variety of consumer and industrial devices over short distances.