Bluetooth technology, which first emerged in 1998, has become ubiquitous, finding its way into nearly every modern device, including phones, laptops, speakers, mice, keyboards, and gaming controllers.
This widespread adoption has led to slow and steady development. The last major update, Bluetooth 5.0, was released in 2016, and since then, anticipation has been building for the next version.
Fortunately, Bluetooth 6.0 is on the horizon and promises to introduce some impressive features. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has recently revealed details about one particularly exciting new feature, which has generated considerable enthusiasm.
Enhanced Device Location Precision
One of the standout features of Bluetooth 6.0 is “Channel Sounding,” which enables significantly more precise location tracking of devices and other objects compared to previous Bluetooth versions. This feature allows for location accuracy down to the centimeter.
Channel Sounding is not limited to short-range applications; it is effective over long distances as well. If it performs as expected, this improvement could greatly enhance devices like Apple’s AirTag and services like Google’s Find My Device.
Additionally, Channel Sounding could be valuable for other types of devices that need to be safeguarded against loss, such as remote controls, which often seem to vanish without a trace.
Bluetooth 6.0 (Photo: Alamy Stock)
Apple currently uses ultra-wideband technology for precise location tracking, putting it ahead of the competition. However, Bluetooth 6.0 will enable other manufacturers to catch up in this area.
For those interested in the technical aspects of Channel Sounding, a detailed overview is available.
Additional Features of Bluetooth 6.0
Bluetooth 6.0 also introduces other promising features. For instance, it includes the “Isochronous Adaptation Layer” (ISOAL), which can improve real-time audio stream quality. This feature will reduce latency and ensure smoother audio transmission.
Currently, Bluetooth audio quality is being enhanced by LE Audio, which not only reduces latency but also synchronizes the simultaneous transmission of audio and video.
Release Timeline for Bluetooth 6.0
As of now, there are no official announcements regarding the release date of Bluetooth 6.0. However, given the new details, it is anticipated that the release will be imminent.
Experts had initially projected that Bluetooth 6.0 would be available for devices starting in 2025, but since manufacturers already have access to it, it may appear in upcoming products sooner than expected.
