This week, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) officially revealed the technical specifications of the highly anticipated next-generation wireless technology, Bluetooth 6.0. This new version introduces significant improvements to wireless communication protocols and will particularly benefit Apple’s applications.
A New Era for Apple’s ‘Find My’ App
The standout feature of Bluetooth 6.0 is the introduction of a technology called Bluetooth Channel Sounding. This innovation allows for much more accurate distance measurement between devices. According to Bluetooth SIG, this technology provides true distance awareness, which is a significant step forward for improving tracking systems like Apple’s Find My.
With Bluetooth 6.0, centimeter-level distance measurement between devices becomes possible. Currently, Apple uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to measure distances between devices, such as iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirTags, employing a feature called Precision Finding to accurately locate lost items. Bluetooth 6.0 will enhance this distance measurement further, making tracking devices in Apple’s Find My network much easier.
While it’s not yet clear when Apple will integrate Bluetooth 6.0 into its devices, given the new protocol has just been announced, it may take at least a year before the first generation of wireless devices supporting the new technology hits the market.
The innovations brought by Bluetooth 6.0 promise exciting developments not just for Apple users but for the tech world as a whole. It will be interesting to see how things unfold in the coming days.