Bluetooth SIG ratifies version 4.2, has new profile ‘ready to go’

"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," said Mark Powell, pictured, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. "In addition to improvements to the specification itself, a new profile, known as IPSP, enables IPv6 for Bluetooth, opening entirely new doors for device connectivity. "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," Powell asserted. Bluetooth 4.2 introduces privacy settings that lower power consumption, while building upon Bluetooth's 'government grade' security features. The privacy features make it difficult for eavesdroppers to track a device through its Bluetooth connection without permission. For example, says the SIG, 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. Bluetooth 4.2 enabled devices will be able to transfer data up to 2.5 times more quickly than with previous versions. Faster data transfer and packet capacity is said to make it harder for transmission errors to occur and reduces battery consumption. The IPSP will allow Bluetooth Smart sensors to access the Internet directly via IPv6/6LoWPAN allowing Bluetooth Smart edge devices to be managed using the existing IP infrastructure. This is said to suit connected home applications that need personal and wide area control. This profile will be ratified by the end of the year, said the SIG.