Apple All in with Bluetooth Smart Tech Ready

At Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC), the Cupertino company announced the latest updates for iOS and its Mac OS X software. While there were many very exciting announcements for the software the center piece of these was Bluetooth Smart Ready, the ability for both Mac and iOS devices to natively support the latest version of the Human Interface Device (HID) profile for Bluetooth Smart, Air Drop, which uses Bluetooth Smart technology to securely discover and connect devices for file sharing.

With the introduction of this technology, Apple is committing to giving its developers APIs that work seamlessly with Bluetooth Smart, allowing them the freedom to focus on the design and functionality of their app rather than device integration and plumbing.

“Apple recognized early that Bluetooth Smart is a game changing technology not only for Bluetooth, but for the entire wireless industry,” said Suke Jawanda, Bluetooth SIG CMO. “Apple’s initial support of Bluetooth Smart Ready gave developers the confidence to build innovative Bluetooth ‘appcessories’ like the FitBit Flex and UniKey Kevo lock system, and really kick started the entire ‘appcessory’ market. The updates announced this week represents a significant time and resource investment by Apple to ensure its developers have the easiest path to deliver real innovation to their customers using Bluetooth Smart technology.”

This is also a boon for users of Apple products. With wearable tech, such as smart watches, being a popular concept, iPhone users could easily have notifications push to their smart watches. Sports updates, Facebook, Twitter updates, and just about any notification coming off a Mac or iOS device could be integrated. Another potential area is for hands free driving. No longer would users have to have a car designed with built in integration but now after market kits could be designed for hands free integration. 

Developers no longer have to worry about integration and can now focus on the design of their products.