Bluetooth 4.2 Is 'Ideal For The Internet of Things'
Bluetooth Special Interest Group - the organization in-charge of the development of Bluetooth 4.2 - has released the spec that will bring several incremental features with a solid performance boost in the new update. Features of Bluetooth 4.2 include low power consumption, faster data transfer and a set of government-approved security measures.
The prime development is the ability to connect directly to the Internet. If a device supports the new technology, it can connect directly to the Internet without having a go-between. Bluetooth 4.2 has been designed to enable IPv6 for Bluetooth.
This is pretty big news for home automation and wearables as devices would no longer have to be paired with smartphones or tablets and they can directly connect to the Internet.
"IoT devices can directly go to the Internet, as long as there is a Bluetooth/WiFi-enabled routers or a set-top box installed in a home," Mark Powell, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG, told EE Times. "Through this IP-supported profile, we are opening new doors for IoT developers, allowing them to design devices targeting specific applications."
Bluetooth 4.2 is 2.5 times faster which makes it more power-efficient. It supports larger packets, reducing the transmission error, hence leading to lower battery consumption.
Bluetooth 4.2, according to specs, also enhances the security and privacy features. The new update in the technology would constantly change the MAC addresses of the devices, giving eavesdroppers hard time in tracking a device through its Bluetooth connection.
The Bluetooth 4.2 standard is ready and the Internet access will be implemented within a month. But, we should not be expecting 4.2 capable devices any time sooner than 2015.
