Bluetooth 4.2 promises a more private and powerful smart home

By Jenny McGrath December 3, 2014

bluetooth 4 2 promises private powerful smart home modern audio bulb deal — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bluetooth is finally cutting out the middleman and letting devices connect directly to the Internet without the assistance of Wi-Fi or other technology. Devices supporting Bluetooth 4.2, the latest update, will be able to use a router to get online, which means big things for smart homes. For devices like sensors or smart light bulbs, users can control them directly through the Internet, instead of requiring a hub that may not support every smart appliance in their home. It’s a useful feature if a homeowner’s smart bulbs and thermostat can’t communicate with each other.

An even more intriguing feature of 4.2 is its beacon-blocking technology. More and more retailers are using beacons to send notifications and track users; the new update makes opting in to these alerts a requirement. Because devices won’t activate with as many of these alerts, the new privacy feature also extends battery life. Expect more efficient connections between Bluetooth Smart devices, as data transfer is “up to 2.5 times faster,” according to the press release.

“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, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.

Getting all smart devices on board with 4.2 will take some time. “Privacy features may be available via firmware update, but it does ultimately depend on the manufacturer implementation,” a representative for the Bluetooth SIG told Ars Technica. In order to take advantage of the increased speed, older Bluetooth devices may need a hardware update.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…

Deals

Faster, Higher, Stronger: EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 sets new standard in portable power

Working from home with EcoFlow DELTA 2 power station with true energy freedom.

This content was produced in partnership with EcoFlow.
EcoFlow is on a mission to change the way we see and utilize power, through its environmentally friendly, portable power offerings, and in its competitive market, they've successfully revolutionized home energy management via the Smart Home ecosystem. Above all, EcoFlow provides an intelligent home power backup solution, which gives anyone welcome stability in a time of unreliable power performance -- blackouts are happening more frequently and electricity bills are soaring due to a global energy crisis. As is to be expected, EcoFlow is continuing that core mission with the launch of the DELTA 2, providing both a reliable and practical energy source to families the world over. The DELTA 2 is a "mainstream essential appliance for every family" that offers as much versatility, if not more, than its previous products. Moreover, the DELTA 2 is as suitable for off-grid adventures and the great outdoors as it is for at-home and residential use, but it's also the best 1kWh portable power station on the market and is a huge step up from EcoFlow's DELTA -- the original model.

The prevailing idea behind EcoFlow's newest and most powerful DELTA 2 is energy freedom, and it delivers all of that, and more.

Smart Home

How smart tech can improve your 4th of July BBQ

philips hue outdoor range

Last year, you had to jealously attend your older brother's 4th of July gathering. You wanted to host the party, but he insisted. But the chump ran out of beer, had to order pizzas because he forgot to buy the burgers, and had a screaming match with your father about politics. Capri-Sun in hand, you sit in your lawn chair, holding back a devilish grin, and thinking: Next year will be my year.

So with Independence Day 2022 just several days away, if you're gearing up for an unforgettable 4th of July event, and need to come up with a few ways to wow your guests and put big bro in his place. Our suggestion? Break out your Wi-Fi password, put your sibling rivalry aside, and deliver the best 4th of all time with some of these amazing smart home devices and features.
Illuminate the night with smart lighting

Smart Home

The best smart home hubs for 2022

Echo Show 15 on wall.

Thinking about automating the lighting throughout your home? Have you ever wanted to build and manage your daily schedule through a mobile app or by using voice commands? Better yet, what about seeing your schedule displayed on an interactive touchscreen? If the answer is a resounding "yes," it sounds like a smart home hub should enter your life.

The best smart home hubs connect to devices from multiple brands, keeping all your tech under one easy-to-navigate roof. Touchscreen hubs like the Google Nest Hub Max and Amazon Echo Show are fully interactive tablets that link you up with all of your preferred devices, streaming services, news and weather, and more. Speaker hubs like the Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod use voice commands (and app-based controls) to control your smart ecosystem while connecting you to premiere streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and more.