The next update to Bluetooth, which should arrive in late 2016 to early 2017, promises significantly increased range, speed, and broadcast messaging capacity.
Bluetooth 5 will quadruples range, doubles speed, and increases data broadcasting capacity by 800%, according to the Bluetooth Special Interest group. The increased data broadcast capacity will drive the adoption of Bluetooth-enabled beacons and location-based services in the home automation, enterprise, and industrial markets.
“Bluetooth 5 will transform the way people experience the IoT by making it something that happens simply and seamlessly around them,” said Mark Powell, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “Increasing operation range will enable connections to IoT devices that extend far beyond the walls of a typical home, while increasing speed supports faster data transfers and software updates for devices. And now with the ability to broadcast a much richer set of information, Bluetooth 5 will make beacons, location awareness, and other connectionless services an even more relevant part of an effortless and seamless IoT experience”
