Articles tagged with "Bluetooth"
Apple upgrades AirTag with 50% longer range and no price increase
Apple has quietly upgraded its AirTag, enhancing its tracking capabilities without changing the external design or price. The new AirTag features Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which extends Precision Finding range by 50%, allowing users to locate lost items from farther away using visual, haptic, and audio cues. Additionally, the Bluetooth chip has been improved to detect AirTags at greater distances. For the first time, Precision Finding is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, and later models, enabling users to track items directly from their wrist. The speaker inside the AirTag is now 50% louder with a new chime sound, making it easier to find items hidden under furniture or inside bags. Apple has also deepened integration with the Find My network and introduced Share Item Location, a feature that lets users temporarily share an AirTag’s location with trusted third parties, such as airline staff. Over 50 airlines have partnered with Apple to use this feature for luggage recovery, with
IoTApple-AirTagUltra-WidebandBluetoothPrecision-Findingobject-trackingsmart-devicesApple’s new AirTag is louder and can be found across longer distances
Apple has introduced an updated version of its AirTag, featuring a longer Bluetooth range, a louder speaker, and enhanced Precision Finding capabilities powered by the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. This chip, also used in the latest iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3, allows the AirTag to provide haptic, visual, and audio feedback to help users locate lost items up to 50% farther than the previous generation. The speaker is now 50% louder, enabling the beep to be heard from twice the previous distance. Additionally, Precision Finding is now accessible via Apple Watch Series 9 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later. The new AirTag also integrates with the iOS Share Item Location feature, allowing users to temporarily share their AirTag’s location with others. Apple maintains the original pricing of $29 for a single AirTag and $99 for a four-pack, including free personalized engraving. Since its 2021 launch, Air
IoTBluetoothUltra-Widebandlocation-trackingsmart-devicesApple-AirTagwireless-technologyPhotos: Lego’s new bricks react to movement and sounds without using screens
At CES 2026, Lego introduced Smart Play, a new system that integrates light, sound, and motion responses into traditional Lego bricks without using screens, preserving the classic hands-on building experience. Central to Smart Play is a standard-looking 2×4 brick embedded with advanced electronics, including a patented ASIC chip, accelerometer, LED array, speaker, and motion sensors. The system also features Smart Tag tiles with unique digital IDs and Smart Minifigures, enabling physical models to react dynamically to movement and proximity, such as a helicopter brick lighting up and playing propeller sounds that vary with motion. Smart Play includes BrickNet, a Bluetooth-based protocol allowing multiple Smart Bricks to communicate and coordinate effects across larger builds, with enhanced encryption and privacy controls. The system requires no setup or pairing, runs on rechargeable internal batteries charged wirelessly, and supports firmware updates via a phone app for ongoing feature additions. The first Smart Play sets, themed around Star Wars, will launch on March 1,
robotIoTsmart-toysBluetoothsensorsinteractive-playwireless-chargingLEGO SMART Bricks introduce a new way to build — and they don’t require screens
LEGO has introduced the SMART Play system, a new interactive building experience that does not require screens. The system features SMART Bricks, SMART Tag tiles, and SMART Minifigures that interact through near-field magnetic positioning. SMART Tags are 2×2 studless tiles with unique digital IDs that instruct SMART Bricks and Minifigures how to behave. For example, a helicopter set’s SMART Tag triggers lights and propeller sounds on the SMART Brick, which also uses an accelerometer to respond dynamically to movement, enhancing play realism. The SMART Bricks contain a patented ASIC chip smaller than a LEGO stud, equipped with a miniature speaker, accelerometer, and LED array. LEGO has developed a Bluetooth-based protocol called BrickNet, enabling multiple SMART Bricks to communicate securely with encryption and privacy controls. The system requires no setup or pairing, making it easy for children to use and appealing to parents due to its screen-free design. LEGO’s first SMART Play sets, both Star Wars-themed,
IoTsmart-toysBluetoothsensorsaccelerometernear-field-communicationencryptionLife360 ventures into pet tech with the launch of a new GPS tracker
Life360, known for its family safety app, is expanding into pet technology with the launch of its new Pet GPS tracker. Designed to attach to a pet’s collar or harness, the device provides real-time location updates for dogs and cats, aiming to give pet owners peace of mind. Priced at $49.99, it is Life360’s most expensive product but offers several advanced features, including geofencing for virtual boundary alerts, escape alerts, and access to a Pet Finder Network. This network leverages Life360’s community of over 88 million members to help locate lost pets by sharing details such as the pet’s name, image, breed, and emergency contacts. The Pet GPS tracker combines cellular, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies to deliver location updates every 2 to 4 seconds when the pet is away from home. Additional features include a built-in light for visibility in the dark, a chime noise function to call pets, and an IP68 rating for water,
IoTGPS-trackingpet-technologygeofencingBluetoothcellular-connectivitybattery-lifePebble’s smartwatch is back: Pebble Time 2 specs revealed
Pebble’s original creator, Eric Migicovsky, has unveiled the final design and specifications for the Pebble Time 2 smartwatch, marking the company’s return to the market under the Pebble brand after regaining the trademark. Previously referred to as Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, the new watches will now be called Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2. The Time 2 features an updated industrial design and will debut in four colors, with buyers having input on the final choices. Key new features include a multicolor RGB LED backlight, a second microphone for potential noise cancellation, a compass sensor, and a screw-mounted stainless steel back cover, maintaining the premium feel of the Pebble Time Steel. The Pebble Time 2 retains many previously announced specifications, such as a 1.5-inch 64-color e-paper touchscreen, a quick-release 22mm strap, flat hardened glass lens, and an estimated 30-day battery life. It also includes
IoTsmartwatchwearable-technologyBluetoothsensorse-paper-displaybattery-lifeJack Dorsey’s Bluetooth messaging app Bitchat now on App Store
Jack Dorsey developed Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging app, coding its foundation over a weekend in early July. The app enables users to send messages within approximately 100 meters via Bluetooth mesh networks, functioning without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Bitchat features a minimalistic user experience with no login system; users immediately access a messaging interface where they can view nearby users' messages and set or change their display names. While the concept of Bluetooth messaging apps is not new—having practical use in environments like music festivals or disaster zones—Bitchat has drawn attention due to Dorsey’s involvement. Despite being promoted as a secure and private platform, security experts have raised concerns about Bitchat’s vulnerability to impersonation attacks. Researcher Alex Radocea highlighted fundamental flaws in the app’s cryptographic protocol that could compromise its security. Dorsey acknowledged these issues, admitting the software may contain vulnerabilities. Additionally, while Bitchat is officially available on the iOS App Store
IoTBluetoothMesh-NetworkingMobile-AppsWireless-CommunicationSecure-MessagingConnectivityJack Dorsey says his ‘secure’ new Bitchat app has not been tested for security
Block CEO and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey recently launched Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app that uses Bluetooth and end-to-end encryption, aiming to provide secure communication in environments where internet access is restricted or monitored. Dorsey emphasized that Bitchat’s design prioritizes security, but he has openly admitted that the app has not undergone any external security reviews or testing. A disclaimer was added to Bitchat’s GitHub page warning users not to rely on the app’s security or use it for production until it has been properly vetted. Security researchers quickly identified significant vulnerabilities in Bitchat. Notably, Alex Rodocea discovered a critical flaw in the app’s identity authentication system, allowing attackers to impersonate contacts by intercepting digital identity keys, undermining the app’s core security feature of verifying trusted contacts (“Favorites”). Additionally, another potential buffer overflow vulnerability was reported, which could lead to data compromises. Rodocea cautioned that users should not trust Bitchat’s security
IoTBluetoothsecure-messagingdecentralized-append-to-end-encryptioncybersecuritydigital-identityJack Dorsey working on Bluetooth messaging app, Bitchat
Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block and co-founder of Twitter, has developed a new Bluetooth-based messaging app called Bitchat. The app enables users to send messages via Bluetooth mesh networks without relying on Wi-Fi or cellular service. Unlike typical Bluetooth messaging apps that have a range of about 100 meters, Bitchat reportedly extends this range up to 300 meters (984 feet) by relaying messages through peer devices. This makes it particularly useful in environments with limited connectivity, such as crowded music festivals. Bitchat’s creation aligns with Dorsey’s ongoing interest in decentralized technology, exemplified by his advocacy for Bitcoin and his founding role in the Bluesky project, although he is no longer involved with Bluesky. The app was opened to beta testers through Apple’s TestFlight platform but quickly reached its 10,000-user limit. The article notes a similarity to Bridgefy, another Bluetooth messaging app partly funded by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, highlighting a trend among Twitter’s founders
IoTBluetoothMesh-NetworkingMessaging-AppDecentralized-TechnologyWireless-CommunicationMobile-ApplicationsGalaxy Ring - thiết bị theo dõi sức khoẻ siêu nhỏ
IoThealth-technologysmart-ringwearable-technologySamsunggesture-controlBluetooth