Bluetooth 6.0 is Officially Launched with More Security and Accuracy for Device Tracking

| Updated on September 10, 2024

The next generation of Bluetooth is here, with a variety of new improvements.

On Tuesday, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the release of Bluetooth 6.0, highlighting the upgrades, including a new precise tracking feature that could improve the Find My networks from companies like Apple, Google, and Tile.

The Bluetooth SIG published an article to give every detail regarding the upgrades in the Bluetooth 6.0. In the post, one of the highlight features was called Channel Sounding, which was described as an innovation that brings forth “true distance awareness.”

It can easily determine the distance between two devices with “centimeter-level accuracy.” For that, it uses phase-based ranging and sends radio signals between devices at different frequencies, allowing it to calculate the distance.

Developers will soon incorporate it into Find My Devices for more accurate location tracking.

Channel Sounding can also address some of the major security concerns related to the keys used to unlock cars or hotel rooms. With precise information, developers can make sure a device only unlocks when the key is within a specific range.

This could stop various cyberattacks, like man-in-the-middle attacks, where a hacker alters the communication between two parties.

SIG says there are many ways the developers can use Channel Sounding to improve the user experience.

In addition, Bluetooth 6.0 can also transmit larger data frames and allow lower latency for audio applications.

Unfortunately, there is no information on when the devices will adopt the next-generation Bluetooth, as the protocol was just recently announced. It might take a year, but it will surely bring some noticeable improvements.

Akriti Rana

Tech Journalist