Bluetooth 5 set for release in late 2016

The next Bluetooth release will be made available in “late 2016 to early 2017”, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has confirmed, following the unveiling of the Bluetooth 5 specification earlier this month.

Bluetooth SIG“Extending range will deliver robust, reliable Internet of Things (IoT) connections that make full-home and building and outdoor use cases a reality,” the organisation says. “Higher speeds will send data faster and optimize responsiveness.

“Increasing broadcast capacity will propel the next generation of connectionless services like beacons and location-relevant information and navigation. Bluetooth 5 will quadruple range and double speed of low energy connections while increasing the capacity of connectionless data broadcasts by 800%.”

“With the major boost in broadcast messaging capacity, the data being transferred will be richer, more intelligent,” the Bluetooth SIG continues. “This will redefine the way Bluetooth devices transmit information, moving away from the app-paired-to-device model to a connectionless IoT where there is less need to download an app or connect the app to a device.

“These Bluetooth advancements open up more possibilities and enable SIG companies — now at an all-time high of 30,000 member companies — to build an accessible, interoperable IoT.”

Seamless

“Bluetooth 5 will transform the way people experience the IoT by making it something that happens simply and seamlessly around them,” says Mark Powell, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “Increasing operation range will enable connections to IoT devices that extend far beyond the walls of a typical home, while increasing speed supports faster data transfers and software updates for devices.

“And now, with the ability to broadcast a much richer set of information, Bluetooth 5 will make beacons, location awareness and other connectionless services an even more relevant part of an effortless and seamless IoT experience.”

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