Bluetooth has come a long way since the days of retro phone headsets and awkward file transfers. What was once seen as a quirky short-range communication tool is now an important connectivity standard, helping link everything from earbuds to smartwatches to our phones.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the team responsible for evolving the technology, has just rolled out version 6.1 of the Bluetooth Core Specification. It’s not a revolutionary overhaul, but the updates are still meaningful, especially when it comes to battery life and privacy.
There are two key upgrades that come in this new version of Bluetooth:
1. Smarter Privacy with RPA Updates
When phones and Bluetooth accessories are connected, they constantly broadcast signals. This is a double-edged sword as it keeps devices linked but also opens the door to passive tracking. The new specification introduces smarter timing for address changes using a method called Randomized Resolvable Private Address (RPA) updates. In simpler terms, your device’s Bluetooth address will now change in a more unpredictable way, making it harder for third parties to track your presence over time.
2. Slight Power Efficiency Gains
The privacy tweaks also directly impact your device’s battery by helping conserve power. SIG hasn’t explained exactly how this will work, nor have they shared any specific stats on the improvements. Still, even a moderate upgrade in battery efficiency would be welcome, especially since our phones stay connected to multiple accessories like TWS earbuds and smartwatches throughout the day.
One important thing to know is that manufacturers probably won’t start highlighting Bluetooth Core 6.1 support, as SIG itself advises against using the version number as a marketing point. Instead, they expect companies to focus on the actual features, like privacy improvements and longer battery life. So while you may never see Bluetooth 6.1 written on a box, future devices could still benefit from these behind-the-scenes enhancements as the update gradually rolls out.
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