We can say that Bluetooth is a technology widely used today in wireless connections. It is present in most modern devices, such as mobile phones or computers, and offers a series of interesting options. In this article we are going to talk about what exactly it is, how it works and what it is used for. We will also see the different versions that exist, where we will focus on the latest standard and its specifications.
What is bluetooth
When we talk about Bluetooth we do it about a communications protocol that has been with us for many years. In fact, it emerged in the mid-1990s as a substitute for cable for certain uses. Since then, new and better versions have been emerging until today, with a capacity that has nothing to do with that of almost 30 years ago.
It is a technology that will require two or more compatible devices . It is present in many devices, such as mobile phones, computers, headphones, music players, cameras, televisions… The main objective is to link these devices together and be able to communicate.
It works through radio waves that work in the 2.4 GHz band. This is precisely what causes interference with Wi-Fi networks in that band and other devices such as a microwave. However, they generally have a much lower range than Wi-Fi connections, so the devices must be close.
Unlike other technologies like infrared, the devices do not have to be visible to each other. That is, you can connect headphones to your mobile even if you carry the phone in your pocket or in a backpack. Now, the possible obstacles that may exist will affect quality.
In general, we can say that the range is about 10 meters in optimal conditions. However, this will depend on the class, since it is divided into three types:
- Class 3 : It is the one with the shortest range, since it only reaches one meter.
- Class 2 – Allows a distance of up to 10 meters under optimal circumstances and has a maximum power of 2.5 mW. Normally, any device you have is with this class.
- Class 1 : It has a maximum range of up to 100 meters and a maximum power of 100 mW.
What is it for
Bluetooth has very diverse uses , as you will see. It is a technology that is very present in our day to day and although it has been with us for years, it is still widely used. You may use it more than you imagine, since it is part of many different devices that we have at home.
Send and receive files
A classic use of Bluetooth is to send and receive files. A few years ago it was very common in mobile phones, before the use of the Internet spread and other methods of exchanging information appeared. It basically consists of linking two devices and sending any document, image or video from one to the other.
However, in practice this is not something that is done much today. Although it may be interesting for something specific, the truth is that the transfer speed is slow. Of course, in the latest versions it has improved considerably and now we can reach up to 50 mbps, although far from other technologies such as Wi-Fi.
Connect devices wirelessly
It also allows you to connect devices without using cables. This is precisely the function for which Bluetooth emerged. We can connect peripherals to a computer, mobile or any compatible device. Here the range of options is quite wide and new compatible devices are constantly emerging.
If we make a list of which devices we can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, the main ones are the following:
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- I send
- Headphones
Share internet
It is not the most common use, but it is an option. Through our mobile phone we can do Tethering , which is how it is known to share the Internet with other devices, through Wi-Fi, cable or Bluetooth. Therefore, through this technology you will also be able to share the Internet from a mobile phone to a computer, for example.
Now, the speed that you are going to achieve is going to be lower than what you would get if you connected the devices by Wi-Fi or cable. Therefore, although it is a possibility that is going to be present, it is not something that we should really take into account today except for specific circumstances in which we have no other choice.
control devices
Bluetooth also allows you to control devices wirelessly . You will be able to use your mobile phone and link it with other devices, such as a speaker, lights, etc. You will be able to use an application to manage when that speaker turns on or turns up the volume, for example, as well as turning it off.
Here the range of possibilities is quite wide, since there are many devices that we currently have nearby and that are compatible with Bluetooth technology. You will be able to do all this wirelessly, without having to be right in front of the corresponding device.
sync data
One more use that we can give to Bluetooth is data synchronization . We can access information stored on a device from our mobile, for example. This is the case of a smart watch, which allows us to store data on the steps we have taken, the distance traveled or the time spent moving, and then be able to pass all that information to the mobile application.
This makes it possible to dispense with cables and achieve wireless connections between devices for data synchronization. That information will be available on both computers at the same time and we will not have to physically connect them to each other.
Types of standards
Bluetooth is not a current technology, as we have indicated, so there have been numerous standards or versions . In all of them, important aspects such as transfer speed, range or stability have been improved. Let’s review the main ones.
First versions
Although it was in 1994 when the Bluetooth we know today began to form, it was not until 1999 when the first version emerged. However, initially there were quite a few limitations. A clear example is that privacy was not present, since it did not allow anonymity in the transfer at the protocol level. Actually in this first version 1.0 there were two subversions: 1.0a and 1.0b .
Shortly after version 1.1 appeared, in 2002, which corrected many errors of the first version. But it didn’t last long either, since a year later, in 2003, Bluetooth version 1.2 appeared. This version already brought some important changes that gave it greater usability. For example, it was compatible with USB 1.1, transfer speed up to 721 kbit/s or improved audio quality.
Versions 2.0 and 2.1 came out in 2004 and 2007, respectively. They introduced improvements mainly in speed and usability, but also in security. The latter is important if we take into account that the first versions did not meet minimum standards that would be unthinkable today.
3.0
Bluetooth version 3.0 brought a major change by supporting a theoretical maximum speed of up to 24 Mbit/s. This made it useful to be able to send files via mobile. At that time, when it emerged in 2009, it was very common to be able to show a song, a photograph, etc.
However, it was not a version that lasted for many years. In fact, it was practically only available the year it came out: 2009. The necessary improvements in audio transmission pushed them to launch a higher version in a short time, with improved features.
4.0
That higher version was 4.0, which appeared in 2010. Here the term Bluetooth low energy or Low Energy appeared. The transfer speed did not improve substantially, since it went from 24 to 32 Mbit/s. It did improve in terms of energy savings, something that benefited mobile devices.
This is the moment when the use of Bluetooth begins to spread to many other devices. It is no longer just a computer and mobile thing, mainly, but we will see it in many other devices such as watches or bracelets.
Although the last thing we mentioned happened especially with the arrival of version 4.1 , which took place in 2013. It introduced some improvements and corrected security flaws. Speakers, headphones, mice… Little by little, the use of this technology was spreading in more devices and with higher performance.
5.0 and 5.1
Version 5.0 had another big leap in quality . It appeared in 2016. It doubled the speed of its predecessor, but the most remarkable thing is that it multiplied the range by 4. From that moment we could already use the devices from a greater distance, without having to be so close.
Most current devices are compatible with at least version 5.0. 5.1 came out a few years later, in 2019, and brought improvements in performance, but also being able to know where a device is indoors, as if it were a GPS.
Bluetooth 5.2, the latest version
After briefly explaining the history of Bluetooth and the different versions that have existed since its origins, we arrive at version 5.2 . It is the last one, the one we currently use and the one with the greatest capacity of all of them. It appeared at the beginning of the year 2020 and brought important improvements.
If you think about buying Bluetooth headphones, today we recommend that they have Bluetooth version 5.2. There are certain advantages that will undoubtedly allow you to make the most of these devices and not have problems with cuts, you can save battery power and have better performance in general. Let’s see the main advantages compared to previous versions.
Velocity
One of the most notable improvements that we have been seeing with each new version is speed. In the case of Bluetooth 5.2, it offers twice the transfer speed compared to version 4.0. It can reach up to 50 Mbps , so we will be able to transmit high quality audio or video without cuts appearing
However, if we compare it with the immediately previous version, 5.1, the speed has not had a substantial change. In that sense, it will offer something similar and we will have to wait for a future version to see an improvement. It does improve in aspects such as audio compression, which will allow an improvement.
Greater range
The distance at which you will be able to connect devices is another important factor. Compared to version 4.0, which is still used by many headsets today, the difference is quite significant. The theoretical distance that previous versions allow is up to 60 meters, while 5.2, in optimal conditions, can reach up to 200 meters .
Now, logically as we move away we will have a worse connection. Connecting headphones 1 meter from the mobile is not the same as doing it 10 or 20 meters away. Although the signal arrives theoretically, there will always be limitations and cuts will appear. However, if you want the maximum range and that these cuts are minimal, the ideal is to use Bluetooth 5.2.
Connect more devices
Bluetooth version 5.2 allows you to connect multiple devices at the same time without any interruptions. It is a limitation that other previous versions have, such as 4.0. Therefore, if you think you are going to connect more than one device, it is convenient that you opt for the latest version.
Also, an important change from version 5.1 is that it allows audio synchronization between devices. It is a very interesting advantage when it comes to using Bluetooth headphones that are compatible with this standard.
More applications simultaneously
One limitation that older versions of Bluetooth had is that you couldn’t use multiple apps at the same time. For example, use Bluetooth headphones and have the sound come from two different programs that we are running on the computer or on the mobile phone.
On the other hand, version 5.2 does allow you to have two applications at the same time. For this reason, it is another interesting advantage that must be taken into account when deciding to opt for devices that have this technology.
Energy saving
Power consumption has improved with each version and Bluetooth 5.2 is going to consume even less power than 5.1. It features BLE++ , while the previous version was BLE+. This will allow devices to be connected through this technology for longer without draining the battery and lengthening the time of use.
It is very interesting in terms of using Bluetooth headphones. If you want to listen to music for hours and prevent problems from appearing when the battery is consumed, version 5.2 will allow that time to be longer.
higher quality
Of course, the quality when playing audio also improves with version 5.2. It allows audio synchronization between devices, as well as better audio compression. Although with respect to version 5.1 the quality does not improve so much, it is noticeable if we compare it with the previous ones.
This nowadays is very important if you are going to want to play videos or audio on your mobile phone or computer and you are going to use Bluetooth headphones. You will be able to avoid cuts and loss of quality.
Security
One more improvement is security . It is logical to think that with each new version, vulnerabilities and small bugs are corrected that can put devices at risk and an attacker can access personal information.
With version 5.2 of Bluetooth we are going to achieve greater security. We will be able to connect the devices with less probability that a problem will appear and that a cybercriminal can exploit our equipment, access private information, control the headphones, etc.
In short, as you have seen, Bluetooth is a technology that is very present. If you are thinking of buying headphones of this type, it is a good idea to opt for version 5.2 and have all the advantages that we have explained so that problems do not appear and performance is optimized.
