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ZDNET Highlights
- The current Bluetooth core specification is Bluetooth 6.2.
- It is up to manufacturers to integrate the latest Bluetooth features into products.
- Although adoption of channel sounding has been slow, adoption of Auracast is gaining momentum.
I’ve attended two CES shows so far, and undoubtedly, my most informative meeting was with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Bluetooth is ubiquitous, but other than wirelessly connecting us to our devices, the technology seems vague and mysterious.
Also: What is Bluetooth 6.0? Why the latest audio connectivity standard is worth getting excited about
I talked with the Bluetooth team about all things channel sounding, Bluetooth 6.0, and Auracast, and the biggest thing may surprise you: We’ve been thinking about Bluetooth all wrong. here’s why.
Bluetooth 6.2 Is Here, So Where Are All the New Features?
Bluetooth SIG recently published bluetooth 6.2. Key features include short connection lag, which enables ultra-low latency for wireless peripheral devices, and channel sounding flexibility, which enhances security in wireless key applications.
However, many devices, especially headphones, earbuds, smartwatches, and peripherals like gaming mice and keyboards, don’t perform as well over Bluetooth connections as you’d expect. The Bluetooth SIG often announces promising features, but they are not in your device. Why? Producer.
Also: Your Android phone just got a major Bluetooth upgrade for free — how it works
The Bluetooth team told me that implementing the latest Bluetooth features within the Bluetooth core specification is entirely a decision made by manufacturers, even if the device includes the latest Bluetooth version. Therefore, you should not allow the Bluetooth version of the device to carry too much weight, as chances are that the manufacturer will leave out the best features.
Channel sounding was very popular. where is?
Bluetooth channel sounding was a standout feature in Bluetooth 6.0, demonstrating that Bluetooth SIG has developed a technology to democratize Find My Device capabilities. Nevertheless, many Bluetooth 6.0 devices are now on the market, and none of them advertise channel sounding in the Find My Device context.
As mentioned above, the decision to include channel sounding is at the discretion of the manufacturers, regardless of the reason. However, applications of channel sounding are emerging in the Bluetooth tracker and smart lock industries.
Also: Finally, a Bluetooth tracker for Android users that works even better than AirTags (at a lower price)
At CES 2026, Motorola’s Moto Tag 2 demonstrated how channel sounding for faster device discovery and secure connections, and ultra-wideband (UWB) for precise location tracking can work together to strengthen the tag’s location and security features.
Bauer Products NE-CS Smart RV Lock, also announced at CES 2026, includes channel sounding. Bluetooth technology provides better distance awareness between lock and key devices, as well as better security to prevent interference and vulnerabilities.
Also: I replaced my deadbolt with this Apple HomeKey smart lock — and it’s an iPhone user’s dream
At the show, Bauer demonstrated how a Google Pixel 10 smartphone with Bluetooth 6.0 compatibility can unlock the NE-CS Smart Lock via Bluetooth.
However, imagining a world where all your Bluetooth devices are consolidated into a single, large Find My Device ecosystem may be far-fetched for at least the next several years. Consider this: Bluetooth Auracast was announced in 2022, widely adopted in 2025 and more anticipated in 2026. Channel sounding has a way to go.
You should focus on Auracast right now
Consumer audio enthusiasts should be excited about AuraCast, a key Bluetooth feature that enables audio to be broadcast from a single device to an unlimited number of receivers. If you’ve purchased headphones or earbuds within the last three years, these devices may already include the necessary hardware to be compatible with AuraCast, even through over-the-air software updates.
Also: Your Sony headphones just got a useful Bluetooth upgrade with the latest software patch
New audio devices with Auracast are being introduced to the market, giving consumers access to a wide variety of broadcast features. Because smartphones, headphones, earbuds, and hearing aids all support Bluetooth, consumers can use its standardized audio transmission technology to bypass brand lock-in. AuraCast’s features include broadcasting audio from a listening device such as a smartphone to multiple Bluetooth speakers.
Other applications of Auracast include connecting listening devices privately to public broadcasts, such as PA announcements in airports or train stations; Connecting earbuds or headphones to the TV in a sports bar; Or sharing audio from your smartphone with a nearby friend’s headphones or earbuds.
Also: I Switched to a Bluetooth Auracast Receiver for My Home Theater Setup – and I Have No Regrets
AuraCast’s applications are also expanding to home theater. For example, Sennheiser’s BTA1 receiver connects to a TV and can broadcast its audio to an infinite number of Auracast-enabled receivers, opening up opportunities for listening to Bluetooth speakers, headphones, hearing aids, and earbuds throughout your home. I find this interpretation of Auracast to be most useful for people with hearing loss, people who want a manufacturer-agnostic solution for private listening at home, and people who want to create a set of rear speakers from Bluetooth speakers.
Google and Android have been notable adopters of Auracast in smartphones, with many Android phones able to act as an Auracast transmitter, sharing audio with others, or acting as an assistant, acting as an intermediary between the receiver and transmitter.
Many Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, headphones, and hearing aids are compatible with Auracast or can be updated to be compatible. More brands are expected to adopt this technology this year.
