Bluetooth 6 Launches, Could Enhance iPhone's Precision Finding Feature

[MacRumors]

The latest version of Bluetooth was released this week, and it includes a new feature that could benefit the Find My app across Apple devices.

Bluetooth 6.0 introduces "Channel Sounding," a feature that will bring "true distance awareness" to billions of future Bluetooth devices and accessories. The organization behind Bluetooth promises that this technology will achieve "centimeter-level accuracy over considerable distances," making it easier and quicker for users to locate lost items.

Apple already offers a Precision Finding feature in the Find My app that leverages Ultra Wideband technology to help users pinpoint the specific location of select accessories. The feature is available on the iPhone 11 and newer, and currently it can be used to find an AirTag or a second-generation AirPods Pro charging case.

Apple could use both Bluetooth 6.0 and Ultra Wideband technologies in unison to improve Precision Finding. Bluetooth 6.0 also paves the way for Precision Finding-like location accuracy for devices that are not equipped with Ultra Wideband chips, such as the Apple TV's Siri Remote and devices released by other companies.

It is unclear when the first devices with Bluetooth 6.0 will be released, but given that the specification is only just now available to hardware manufacturers and developers, the first Apple devices with support are likely at least a year away.

Article Link: Bluetooth 6 Launches, Could Enhance iPhone's Precision Finding Feature

 

[theheadguy]

confused. It will bring this technology to billions of existing devices? Last paragraph seems to contradict?

 

[antiprotest]

confused. It will bring this technology to billions of existing devices? Last paragraph seems to contradict?

It's like when someone tells you to download more RAM.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

confused. It will bring this technology to billions of existing devices? Last paragraph seems to contradict?

Yes, the Bluetooth SIG says billions of Bluetooth devices are released every year. I added a "future" there for clarity.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I bet we will see this sooner than a year from now. Like next week.

I expect we will see new AirTags announced with this feature.

I expect tech journalists are scouring government EMI regulation and approval databases for products with this feature as we speak

 

[rictus007]

confused. It will bring this technology to billions of existing devices? Last paragraph seems to contradict?

No it is for potential future devices. Had not read anything about BT 6.0, but as other user said, the change most likely is hardware based, so no backward compatibility for the new features.

 

[dogolaca]

Any word on iOS implementation of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast?

 

[Havalo]

The organization behind Bluetooth promises that this technology will achieve "centimeter-level accuracy over considerable distances," making it easier and quicker for users to locate lost items.

CIA and NSA boys will be extremely pleased with this new privacy feature…

 

[MrRom92]

Yes! We can do sounding with our apple Pencils now!

 

[MayaUser]

This can also enable true lossless audio

 

[arthurgd3]

Leave it to these standards groups to get ahead of themselves releasing the next standard of BT when there is still many devices that don't have the latest BT 5.4 version.

Its like WiFi 7, it's been in draft status for something like 2 or 3 years now and WiFi 7 routers are nowhere near commonplace in majority of households or businesses and prices are still pretty sky high as far as routers go. 6 and 6E are still not common let alone 7.

 

[Rychiar]

about time. I feel like I heard about this years ago. sucks we prob won't see it for ages... much like thunderbolt 5

 

[ToyoCorollaGR]

confused. It will bring this technology to billions of existing devices? Last paragraph seems to contradict?

No, it can't, it's a hardware thing

 

[timborama]

CIA and NSA boys will be extremely pleased with this new privacy feature…

And stalkers.

 

[Daul]

Yes! We can do sounding with our apple Pencils now!

Anything is a sound if you’re brave enough

 

[ericinboston]

"The feature is available on the iPhone 11 and newer, and currently it can be used to find an AirTag or a second-generation AirPods Pro charging case."

Although I and my kids don't lose our 8+ iPhones and iPads, this quote is what drives me nuts with Apple...the technology to ping/find a device has been around for 5+ years on Apple's devices, yet 1)it works only with Apple sanctioned products and 2)it works ONLY with AirTags or 2nd Gen AirPods Pro charging cases.

Really? That's the best Apple can do over the past 5+ years?

It would be really nice to have some kind of generic Bluetooth technology that I could pick up my iPhone and "see" what Bluetooth devices are within 50 yards of my iPhone...as I get closer or move away from the devices, they get closer on a kind of "bulls eye" grid on the iPhone.

I believe such an app was created years ago but don't recall it working very well.

 

[Zest28]

But still, the iPhone will come with ****** ass SBC and AAC bluetooth.

 

[suchnerve]

More importantly, Bluetooth 6 utilizes 6GHz spectrum, which means no more interference issues in crowded places.

 

[TheWraith]

the technology to ping/find a device has been around for 5+ years on Apple's devices, yet 1)it works only with Apple sanctioned products and 2)it works ONLY with AirTags or 2nd Gen AirPods Pro charging cases.

Really? That's the best Apple can do over the past 5+ years?

I don’t understand how you want Apple to have rolled this out industry wide.

 

[TheWraith]

It would be really nice to have some kind of generic Bluetooth technology that I could pick up my iPhone and "see" what Bluetooth devices are within 50 yards of my iPhone...as I get closer or move away from the devices, they get closer on a kind of "bulls eye" grid on the iPhone.

And this sounds like a privacy nightmare in this interface.

 

[redbeard331]

Slayet to debut in the iPhone 24 pro max.

 

[Jamie0003]

"The feature is available on the iPhone 11 and newer, and currently it can be used to find an AirTag or a second-generation AirPods Pro charging case."

Although I and my kids don't lose our 8+ iPhones and iPads, this quote is what drives me nuts with Apple...the technology to ping/find a device has been around for 5+ years on Apple's devices, yet 1)it works only with Apple sanctioned products and 2)it works ONLY with AirTags or 2nd Gen AirPods Pro charging cases.

Really? That's the best Apple can do over the past 5+ years?

It would be really nice to have some kind of generic Bluetooth technology that I could pick up my iPhone and "see" what Bluetooth devices are within 50 yards of my iPhone...as I get closer or move away from the devices, they get closer on a kind of "bulls eye" grid on the iPhone.

I believe such an app was created years ago but don't recall it working very well.

This is why governments like the EU are going after Apple. Unfortunately though everyone on this site seems to be against regulation. I wish matter casting was forced on Apple and co next

 

[JokoWidodo]

great! can't wait for iPhone 19 to implement this!

 

[SanderEvers]

confused. It will bring this technology to billions of existing devices? Last paragraph seems to contradict?

No, this will work with new devices that support it. And then BOTH BT devices (host and device) need to support a certain BT version in order to offer the features added in that version.

So to support this you'll need a new iPhone and a new AirTag.

(only very rarely have there been BT firmware updates that increased a supported version)

 

[FontGeek]

This is why governments like the EU are going after Apple. Unfortunately though everyone on this site seems to be against regulation. I wish matter casting was forced on Apple and co next

But what about when Matter Casting is outdated? When you force technology to abide by standards (that just improve usability, etc), you limit them to those standards, despite whether it was an initial improvement.