Bluetooth 6.0, the first major update to the wireless connectivity standard in eight years, was released earlier this week by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The introduction of the new version means that future hardware that supports Bluetooth 6.0 can more accurately measure the distance between two devices, enabling secure Bluetooth communication using digital keys while reducing energy consumption. Newer Bluetooth versions also reduce latency on compatible devices.
The Bluetooth SIG has described the latest version update to the Bluetooth core specification in a post on its website. One of the most notable features that users have access to is the Bluetooth channel tone. However, the group says Bluetooth 6.0 also supports six minor technology changes that aren’t immediately visible to users with compatible devices.
Bluetooth 6.0 Features
The most important function of the devices that support the new Bluetooth version is the voice channel. This feature allows two Bluetooth 6.0 devices to easily find each other thanks to precise location measurements. It is also expected to improve the experience of using Apple’s Find My Network and Google’s Find My Device networks. These networks currently allow users to locate lost items via Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology.
The new Bluetooth Channel Audio feature also improves the security of digital keys by ensuring they only work within certain ranges (e.g. keys used in a specific vehicle). According to the Bluetooth SIG, devices with Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity must also be able to offer additional features from third-party developers.
Advertiser monitoring is another feature available on Bluetooth 6.0 devices that allows you to detect when a device enters or leaves Bluetooth range. This eliminates the need for the host device to search for devices that are not nearby, potentially saving energy.
Bluetooth 6.0 also supports decision-based advertising filtering. This is a new feature that allows compatible devices to scan secondary channels only when relevant information is received on the primary channel, saving more power.
Players who prefer wireless accessories for in-game conversations or use wireless audio devices for video calls will experience lower latency on Bluetooth 6.0 devices. Thanks to the new ISOAL (Simultaneous Compatibility Layer) extension, data frames are sent in smaller link layer packets based on details shared by the Bluetooth SIG.
It may take some time for manufacturers to introduce new devices with the latest Bluetooth standards, and we expect the same to apply to Bluetooth 6.0. Remember that you need a smartphone and a wireless accessory that supports next-generation Bluetooth to take advantage of all the new features. That means Bluetooth may still be a few months away. 6.0 devices are coming to the global market.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
