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Bluetooth 5 Is Here (betanews.com)
Reader BrianFagioli writes: Today, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group announces the official adoption of the previously-announced Bluetooth 5. In other words, it is officially the next major version of the technology, which will eventually be found in many consumer devices. So, will you start to see Bluetooth 5 devices and dongles with faster speeds and longer range in stores tomorrow? Nope -- sorry, folks. Consumers will have to wait until 2017. The Bluetooth SIG says devices should become available between February and June next year.In a statement, Bluetooth SIG reminded the specifications of Bluetooth 5 -- "Key feature updates include four times range, two times speed, and eight times broadcast message capacity. Longer range powers whole home and building coverage, for more robust and reliable connections."
Bluetooth has quite adequate range for the use cases it serves. Game controllers, headphones, connecting to car entertainment/information systems, all these things work flawlessly with only a few meters of range needed. If you need more range than that, you're using the wrong technology.
Why is it that after so many years, BT audio still stutters and jumps sometimes?
I have experienced this problem across all the different devices and headphones I have owned over the years. It doesn't seem to matter how high end the devices are, this problem eventually crops up from time-to-time. It normally can be fixed by turning off wifi on the device, but that doesn't always do it.
This problem seems to rear its head more often when I am around other people (public transit, restaurants, office buildings, etc) which leads me to believe it is an interference problem.
If that is true then the increased range and speed might solve it, right? But if everyone has higher power BT signals wouldn't the interference be worse?
I guess just wait and see...
My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
#3 Bluetooth uses public spectrum and is subject to interference from all kinds of other electronic devices, including other bluetooth devices in the immediate area.
"Interference seems to be a big problem with Bluetooth. There are certain intersections in my city where the signal craps out while crossing the street;"
Usually, this happens about ten milliseconds before the truck you walked in front of slams into you as its grille interferes with the signal.
iPhone 7 & Air Pods (ie W1 chip) already support BT5 (in hardware anyway).
Today they just ratified the standard and set it in stone (which allows the hardware to get a software update on todays spec).
Perhaps this is why the Air Pods were delayed until now.