Bluetooth 6.0 arrives with new features and improved efficiency for wireless connectivity

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Wireless Updates: The Bluetooth 5 specifications were released in 2016, introducing features primarily designed for emerging Internet of Things devices. Subsequent updates were published in 2019, 2021, and 2023. Now, the time has come for a completely new version of this ubiquitous wireless connection standard.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has just released the core specifications for the latest version of its namesake wireless technology. According to the organization, Bluetooth Core Specification version 6.0 introduces new functionality and enhancements to existing features. However, the standout feature of this release appears to be a new option called Bluetooth Channel Sounding.

The Bluetooth SIG claims that Channel Sounding brings "true" distance awareness to Bluetooth-compatible devices, a potentially transformative innovation with significant benefits for the wireless ecosystem.

Supported by a "robust" security layer, the consortium states that Channel Sounding will greatly enhance the user experience for "Find My" solutions, allowing users to pinpoint the exact location of accessories with high accuracy.

Channel Sounding can achieve centimeter-level precision over considerable distances. Moreover, the technology ensures that only authorized users can unlock doors or access secure areas in buildings equipped with wireless security systems.

The Bluetooth SIG also highlights that developers will find Channel Sounding valuable, as its precise location awareness opens up numerous opportunities for creating new applications.

The remaining features of the Bluetooth 6.0 standard offer welcome improvements in data packet transmission and delivery efficiency. With Decision-Based Advertising Filtering, the Bluetooth Low Energy Extended Advertising feature will enhance scanning efficiency by reducing the time spent scanning secondary channels.

Trivia Time: Where did the name "Bluetooth" come from?

Additionally, the Monitoring Advertisers feature improves energy efficiency when the host is unable to determine if a device is still within range. The Isochronous Adaptation Layer "makes it possible for larger data frames to be transmitted in smaller link-layer packets," with a new framing mode that should reduce latency and increase reliability in sensitive applications such as audio peripherals.

The Bluetooth association highlights its ability to regularly update and introduce new features and improvements to the Bluetooth standard. However, what the organization doesn't address is the time it takes for these advancements to appear in devices and accessories that consumers can actually purchase.

So, while the updates are promising, it may take a few years before Bluetooth 6.0 features are widely available in consumer products. Keep your expectations in check for now.

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Bluetooth 6.0 arrives with new features and improved efficiency for wireless connectivity

 

[NumberNine]

Don't trust this genre of wireless crap to keep your doors locked at home.

At work? Sure, not my stuff.

 

[The Talking Tech]

Bluetooth is and always has been this type of Plug and Pray situation in which by now it should be seamless and practical but it's not... sadly its connectivity is very unpredictable depending on the manufacturer.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Does it still have high latency issues?

 

[mbk34]

I'm still waiting for Bluetooth 5, with it's advertised range of 800 feet (250m), to span the 30 feet (10m) from my PC to where I lay in the bath attempting to listen to podcasts or YT. I've tried reading books but they go all funny when they drop in the water after I fall asleep.

 

[FaTaL]

Waiting for the latency issues to be fixed

 

[mountains]

I notice this article mentions security, but not privacy. Will they release an update that prevents BT signals, that are often on by default, from personally identifying you from great distances yet?

 

[erickmendes]

Does it still have high latency issues?

I think the implementation makes big difference. I got a Harmon Kardon Aura, sometimes I use it to play switch on TV, and audio is always in sync with the game.
And then in my car I got a cheap chinese media center that have audio delay.

 

[BobHome]

Energy efficiency-wise, it would be cool if that Channel Sounding feature would determine how strong a signal to use based on distance.
I mean, if I am 3 feet away I don't need nearly as much signal blasting into my home as I would need at 30 feet, right? That should also make the battery last longer.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

I think the implementation makes big difference. I got a Harmon Kardon Aura, sometimes I use it to play switch on TV, and audio is always in sync with the game.
And then in my car I got a cheap chinese media center that have audio delay.

Plenty of people that do video editing refuse to use Bluetooth headphones due to the latency. I doubt they are using cheap Chinese headphones.

 

[Puiu]

Audio is still crap and it seems 6.0 won't help with that.

 

[Win7user]

For listening to music, Bluetooth is great! But watching and listening on my flat screen TV watching Mission Impossible, or some other good film, there's just too much lag. Wired is the only way to go.

 

[zamroni111]

Google should make Chromecast audio via Bluetooth PAN.
it will save headset battery as it doesn't need constant data streaming with the host device.
audio quality will be much better too as there is no need for Bluetooth recompression such as aptx, ldac etc.

 

[noblody]

For listening to music, Bluetooth is great! But watching and listening on my flat screen TV watching Mission Impossible, or some other good film, there's just too much lag. Wired is the only way to go.

This could be solved by delaying the video a bit compared to sound and probably the amount could be part of the protocol. this probably does not work that well for video games.

 

[Win7user]

This could be solved by delaying the video a bit compared to sound and probably the amount could be part of the protocol. this probably does not work that well for video games.

I've tried everything, nothing worked out for me. I gave up, and brought out the wire....