Bluetooth 5 and Audio Applications

Following the announcement made earlier, on December 7, 2016, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) officially adopted Bluetooth 5 as the latest version of the Bluetooth core specification. Key updates to Bluetooth 5 include longer range, faster speed, and larger broadcast message capacity, as well as improved interoperability and coexistence with other wireless technologies.

A little earlier than expected, on December 7, 2016, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) officially adopted Bluetooth 5 as the latest version of the Bluetooth core specification. Key updates to Bluetooth 5 include longer range, faster speed, and larger broadcast message capacity, as well as improved interoperability and coexistence with other wireless technologies. This sets the stage for transformative wireless connectivity.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) released several updates to its developer toolkit line-up, introducing news tools for Bluetooth beacons, home automation, and wearables. The latest Bluetooth toolkits empower developers to build faster and smarter when creating things like mobile apps and low-cost beacons, as well as gateways that control IoT sensors, with security and interoperability in mind.

A recent survey conducted by Canada based brand research firm Lux Insights puts consumer awareness of Bluetooth wireless technology at 92 percent globally, with 62 percent of respondents reporting a purchasing preference for Bluetooth enabled products, noting Bluetooth is reliable, easy to use, and makes life easier. The online survey was conducted in five languages across seven countries in January 2016 among 2,912 consumers responsible for technology purchases.

According to a new market research report “Wireless Audio Device Market By Products, Technology and Application - Global Forecast & Analysis 2013 – 2018” published by MarketsandMarkets, the total market is expected to generate revenues of $13.75 billion by 2018, growing at an estimated CAGR of 24.02% from 2013-2018.