Skip to main content

Bluetooth 4.2 stops eavesdroppers, increases data transfer speed & brings direct internet access

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced an updated Bluetooth spec, version 4.2, that introduces a number of new features alongside enhancements to speed and privacy. The update also allows for Bluetooth over IPv6, which along with an upcoming update will allow devices to have a direct connection to the Internet and open up new possibilities for Bluetooth sensors and other accessories.

“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. In addition to the improvements to the specification itself, a new profile known as IPSP enables IPv6 for Bluetooth, opening entirely new doors for device connectivity,” said Mark Powell, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “Bluetooth Smart is the only technology that can scale with the market, provide developers the flexibility to innovate, and be the foundation for the IoT.”

As for privacy, the new Bluetooth 4.2 spec introduces new features that make it harder for people to track you through Bluetooth devices. The spec includes new privacy technology that the organization says will make it so “A Bluetooth Smart location tracker can only be followed by the owner or trusted group all while consuming less power.” SIG also says the new spec is more power efficient and includes FIPS-compliant encryption for secure connections when pairing devices like Bluetooth home automation products, for instance.

The SIG points out that the increased privacy will be important as Bluetooth beacons and Apple’s iBeacon experience become standard place in public spaces: The new privacy features put control back into the hands of the consumer by making it difficult for eavesdroppers to track a device through its Bluetooth connection without permission. For example, when shopping in a retail store with beacons, unless you’ve enabled permission for the beacon to engage with your device, you can’t be tracked.

In addition, Bluetooth 4.2 introduces faster data with “Up to 2.5x faster with a packet capacity increase of 10x vs. previous versions,” according to SIG. For end users, that could make an over-the-air firmware update faster by around 250%.

The Bluetooth Special Internet Group explained more about the upcoming Internet connectivity scheduled to arrive by the end of the year:

Building on the capabilities released earlier with Bluetooth 4.1 and the new features released in 4.2, the Internet Protocol Support Profile (IPSP) will allow Bluetooth Smart sensors to access the Internet directly via IPv6/6LoWPAN. IP connectivity makes it possible to use existing IP infrastructure to manage Bluetooth Smart “edge” devices. This is ideal for connected home scenarios that need both personal and wide area control. This profile will be ratified by the end of the year.

The Bluetooth 4.2 spec can be viewed on the organization’s website alongside documentation.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. lsratdownload - 10 years ago

    “In addition, Bluetooth 4.2 introduces faster data with “Up to 2.5x faster with a packet capacity increase of 10x vs. previous versions,” according to SIG.”

    Jordan, could this facilitate an update to the A2DP profile to enable higher-fidelity wireless audio transfer, as an alternative to aptX?

  2. 89p13 - 10 years ago

    And, another reason to upgrade to the Apple 6s / 6s Plus next year.

    Technology moves forward – for the good of everyone.

  3. Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 10 years ago

    by end of year? Could apple have been waiting on this (among other thing) for the watch? I’m really starting to think that wireless Apple headphones aren’t a pipe dream and may come out along side or soon after the Apple Watch release.

    If Bluetooth 4.2 can really send more data and uses less power that could be enough. There are already ear bud style form factor headphones from jaybird that can last 8 hours. Imagine how long apple optimized ones could last!

    It’d be so awesome to not have to dig into a pocket to plug a jack in and then shove the phone with protruding jack back into the pocket.

  4. BuffyzDead (@BuffyzDead) - 10 years ago

    Would this REQUIRE New Bluetooth hardware
    OR
    Will any current hardware, supporting Bluetooth v4.0,
    also support v4.2, via a firmware/software update?

    • It’s highly doubtful you are getting double the bandwidth and less power draw without hardware changes.

      • coinaphrase - 10 years ago

        Ars Technica got a reply that some 4.2 features may require new hardware, like the speed increase. Others may be available via firmware updates.

        http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/12/new-bluetooth-4-2-spec-brings-ipv6-better-privacy-and-increased-speed/

        So it’s a tough call on whether Apple has enough lead time to get this into the watch in a few months. Depends on whether they already have the hardware built that they need, and can do late changes via firmware.

        And I think BT 4.2 would be awesome in a new AppleTV, that can coordinate home automation among other things.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 10 years ago

      I have a Late 2012 iMac and I just looked up which Bluetooth it has and the System Profiler states the following:

      Apple Bluetooth Software Version: 4.3 1f2 15015

      And this article is about Bluetooth 4.2. What gives?

      • inquiblog - 10 years ago

        Because you have a future model ! (or may be the software version is not indicating the BT profile version).

  5. flaviosuave - 10 years ago

    Predicted Herb comment: My Samsung Galaxy S5 has had this feature for over three years!

  6. Michael Wai (@michaelwai) - 10 years ago

    Logo reminds me of the ‘having sex at night cuz semen are asleep #SMART’ post..

  7. George Pollen - 10 years ago

    Direct access to the Internet means less privacy.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications