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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The current Bluetooth Core Specification is Bluetooth 6.2.
- It’s up to manufacturers to integrate the latest Bluetooth features into consumer tech products.
- Although Channel sounding adoption is slow, Auracast adoption is gaining momentum.
I’ve attended two CES shows so far, and undoubtedly, the most informative meeting I’ve had is wiht the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Bluetooth is ubiquitous in our devices,but aside from wirelessly connecting us to our things,the technology feels obscure and cryptic.
Also: CES 2026: 7 biggest news stories across TVs, laptops, and other weird gadgets you missed
I talked with the Bluetooth team about all things Channel Sounding, Bluetooth 6.0,and Auracast,and the largest takeaway might surprise you: we’re thinking about Bluetooth all wrong. Here’s why.
Bluetooth 6.2 is here,so where are all the new features?
The Bluetooth SIG recently published Bluetooth 6.2, with key features including Shorter Connection Intervals, which enable ultra-low latency for wireless peripheral devices, and Channel Sounding Resilience for enhanced security in wireless key applications. However, manny devices, especially peripherals, such as headphones, earbuds, smartwatches, and gaming mice and keyboards, don’t perform and also you’d hoped over a Bluetooth connection. The Bluetooth SIG often announces promising features, but they don’t always materialize in the products we use. Why? The answer lies with the manufacturers.
Also: What is Bluetooth 6.0? How the new audio connectivity standard changes the way you listen
The Bluetooth team explained to me that implementing the latest Bluetooth features within a Bluetooth Core Specification is entirely a manufacturer’s decision, even if a device technically boasts the latest Bluetooth version. This means you shouldn’t rely solely on a device’s Bluetooth version number; there’s a good chance the manufacturer has selectively omitted some of the best features. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for making informed purchasing decisions.
Channel Sounding was all the rage.Where is it?
bluetooth Channel Sounding, introduced with Bluetooth 6.0, promised a revolution in device location. It held the potential to democratize “Find My Device” capabilities,allowing users to precisely locate lost items. However, despite the arrival of numerous Bluetooth 6.0 devices, none prominently advertise Channel Sounding within the context of a “Find My Device” feature.
As previously mentioned,manufacturers ultimately decide whether to incorporate Channel Sounding. Yet,applications are beginning to emerge,notably in the Bluetooth tracker and smart lock industries.
Also: Bluetooth trackers for Android users that function even better than AirTags (at a low price)
At CES 2026, Motorola’s Moto Tag 2 showcased how Channel Sounding, combined with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for pinpoint location accuracy, can substantially enhance a tag’s security and tracking capabilities. Similarly, the Bauer Products NE-CS smart RV lock, debuting at the same event, leverages Channel Sounding to improve distance awareness between the lock and its key, bolstering security against interference and potential vulnerabilities.
Also: I replaced my deadbolt with this Apple HomeKey smart lock – and it’s an iPhone user’s dream
Bauer demonstrated the lock’s compatibility with a Google Pixel 10 smartphone running Bluetooth 6.0, enabling seamless unlocking via Bluetooth. However, the vision of a unified “Find My Device” ecosystem encompassing all bluetooth devices remains distant, likely several years away. Consider that Bluetooth Auracast, announced in 2022, began gaining traction in 2025, with continued growth projected for 2026. Channel sounding, comparatively, still has considerable ground to cover.
You should focus on Auracast for now
For audio enthusiasts, Auracast stands out as the most promising Bluetooth advancement. This feature allows audio to be broadcast from one device to an unlimited number of receivers. Many headphones and earbuds purchased in the last three years already possess the necessary hardware to support Auracast,often activated through over-the-air software updates.
Also: Your Sony headphones just got a useful Bluetooth upgrade with the latest software patch
Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating Auracast into new audio devices, unlocking a range of broadcasting possibilities.The universality of Bluetooth across smartphones, headphones, earbuds, and hearing aids breaks down brand-specific limitations, enabling features like broadcasting audio from a phone to multiple Bluetooth speakers. Other use cases include privately connecting hearing aids to public address systems in airports or train stations,connecting headphones to a TV in a public setting,or sharing audio from a smartphone with a friend’s earbuds.
Also: Your Android phone just got a major Bluetooth upgrade for free - how it effectively works
Google and Android have led the charge in Auracast adoption, with several Android phones functioning as either transmitters, sharing audio with others, or as intermediaries between a receiver and a transmitter. A growing number of Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, headphones, and hearing aids are Auracast-compatible, or can be updated to become so, with even wider adoption anticipated throughout the year.
