Bluetooth 4.2 sets itself as the "wireless standard for the Internet of Things."
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has released Bluetooth 4.2 with the promise of faster data transfer, improved privacy and ability to connect devices directly to the Internet, AnandTech reported.
Data transfer under the new version is speculated to be 2.5 times faster than before, according to Mashable. Faster data transfer also meant longer battery life and less transmission errors.
Furthermore, the latest version of Bluetooth has enhanced their security by making it difficult to track devices through Bluetooth connections. The MAC address of the devices with Bluetooth is masked until the owner allows the connections. For instance, tracking shoppers in Apple's iBeacons, which are low-power Bluetooth transmitters that guides customers around the store, is impossible unless users specifically give permission for the beacons to connect with their devices.
Meanwhile, Bluetooth SIG executive director Mark Powell made a statement regarding the new format Wednesday on their official press release site.
"Bluetooth 4.2 is all about continuing to make Bluetooth Smart the best solution to connect all the technology in your life - from personal sensors to your connected home," Powell said.
He also introduced a new profile known as Internet Protocol Support Profile (IPSP), which enables IPv6 for Bluetooth. Powell claimed the new feature will open "new doors for device connectivity."
"Bluetooth Smart is the only technology that can scale with the market, provide developers the flexibility to innovate, and be the foundation for the Internet of Things," Powell added. The Internet of Things is predicted to grow to 28 billion connected products by the year 2020.
Many devices already include Bluetooth, especially mobile devices and wearables. These devices favor Bluetooth because of its low power profile. Since power usage is critical for user experience, Bluetooth 4.2 has improved the features of its Bluetooth Low Energy.
Bluetooth Low Energy also features low-power connectivity with the new profile IPSP Powell mentioned. The profile allows Bluetooth Smart sensors to directly gain access to the Internet via IPv6 or IPv6LoWPAN.
Although the privacy controls in Bluetooth 4.2 can be added to older devices through a software update, users who are interested to obtain the speed and IPv6 features of Bluetooth 4.2 will need new hardware.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
