When Apple unveiled the new MacBook Air and Mac mini, the company also included the latest version of the wireless standard Bluetooth. The adoption of Bluetooth 4.0 comes as the Cupertino, Calif. firm takes a leading role in developing a technology for device hubs and the cloud.
Along with “Classic Bluetooth,” Bluetooth 4.0 includes the “Bluetooth Low Energy” protocol designed for low-power devices with a maximum range of 160 feet as well as a Wi-Fi like “Bluetooth High Speed” option.
Although this latest version of Bluetooth has been available since last June, Apple used Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for its new iMacs and MacBook Pros. With the latest hardware updates to the Air and mini, Apple leapfrogs Bluetooth 3.0 to go straight for 4.0.
Why the shift now? The impetus may be Apple gaining a seat last month on the Bluetooth Special Interest Group board of directors. At the time, Apple was said to help aid develop the 4.0 standard.
Another reason could be tied to Apple’s introduction of the Thunderbolt Display to act as a hub for other devices, as well as a led-backed monitor for Macs. Apple now sees Bluetooth as working with “hub devices” that use data, including saving information to the cloud. Apple’s involvement will “ensure a smooth growth trajectory of Bluetooth v4.0,” the group announced.
