This Week in Bluetooth & UWB |
Feb 27, 2026 |
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In This Issue
→ Aliro 1.0 launches for smart locks
→ App spots nearby smart glasses
→ Android 16 LE Audio sharing is buggy
→ Cochlear trials LE Audio on implants
→ Xiaomi Tag goes global without UWB
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New Series
Inside the RF Chamber
I got a Ramsey STE3000M RF shielded enclosure and ran a simple test: scan for Bluetooth LE devices with the door open, then closed. 43 devices → zero. In Episode 0, I walk through the setup, the results, and what’s coming next in a hands-on RF testing series.
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Bluetooth LE |
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The Verge
Aliro is an open standard designed to let any smart lock be unlocked by any smartphone, regardless of manufacturer. The protocol requires near-field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth Low Energy, and also supports ultra-wideband (UWB). UWB enables hands-free unlocking, where the door unlocks as you approach. Apple, Google, and Samsung have committed to supporting Aliro “out of the gate.” Aliro is managed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the group behind the smart home standard Matter.
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Stock Titan
Durin has selected the Silicon Labs MG24 wireless SoC as the secure, multiprotocol foundation for its Aliro-compatible Door Manager. The MG24 receives Aliro key information from an NFC transceiver, performs key validation and Access Document verification in a single NFC transaction, and uses an integrated cryptographic hardware accelerator for elliptic-curve cryptography operations. The system supports NFC tap-to-unlock, Bluetooth LE, and UWB hands-free interactions.
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The Register
Yves Jeanrenaud, a deputy professor at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, has published Nearby Glasses — an Android app that scans for Bluetooth LE advertising data to detect smart glasses nearby. The app flags manufacturer company IDs in Bluetooth LE advertising frames, which are mandatory and immutable. It currently targets Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses, though false positives may occur from other Bluetooth hardware by the same manufacturer.
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Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Vusion and Qualcomm Technologies have released a joint white paper outlining "The AI-Native Store" concept. The vision combines Bluetooth LE native infrastructure, intelligent shelves, spatial signals, and on-device AI to create stores that are more connected, efficient, and interactive. Retailers can expect double-digit improvements in shelf condition, 60–90 minutes of associate time saved per shift, and up to 1.5–2 points of operating margin upside.
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TipRanks
Cochlear is preparing a clinical study to see how well adult cochlear implant users accept and use low energy audio streaming in daily life, and how this affects hearing performance in noisy settings. The study tests updated firmware that enables Bluetooth low energy audio on Nucleus 8 and Kanso 3, including Kanso 3 Nexa. It also evaluates new GN ReSound low energy audio accessories like the Multi-Mic+, which are meant to improve streaming, battery life, and speech clarity in real-world listening situations.
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Android Police
Android 16 introduces Audio Sharing, enabling users to share audio from their device to two or more connected headphones via Bluetooth LE Audio. However, there are surprisingly few LE Audio compatible headphones available, and even those marked as compatible may not support all LE Audio features. The author found that figuring out why Audio Sharing failed was "an absolute pain," highlighting ongoing fragmentation in LE Audio device support.
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WIoT Group
Blecon has launched a software solution that transforms Zebra Technologies frontline devices into an autonomous Bluetooth tracking network. The Blecon Agent activates integrated Bluetooth radio modules already present in Zebra devices, turning them into mobile collection points that receive and transmit Bluetooth LE signals during operation. Assets and inventory are recognized as they move through the operation without employees having to change their workflow.
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EE Journal
Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing its CMP180 radio communication tester at embedded world 2026. The platform already supports physical layer testing for the new Bluetooth LE Channel Sounding and Bluetooth LE High Data Throughput (HDT) features. Visitors will experience the CMP180 testing both Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi 8 devices, covering research, pre-conformance, and mass production phases.
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CNX Software
The Ambient IoT Alliance (AIoTA), a global cross-industry coalition with founding members including Qualcomm, Intel, Infineon, and PepsiCo, is working to promote standards for batteryless IoT devices powered by radio waves, light, motion, or heat. Bluetooth LE is also used through Bluetooth LE beacons, though it's unclear whether modifications to the standard are required for Ambient IoT. The devices can gather location, temperature, and humidity data and communicate through nearby gateways.
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Ultra-Wideband (UWB) |
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Gizmochina
Xiaomi has officially announced the global launch of its new Bluetooth tracker, the Xiaomi Tag. The company will debut the device on February 28, 2026, during its MWC event in Barcelona. The tracker supports both Apple’s Find My network and Google’s Find Hub ecosystem, making it compatible with both iOS and Android devices. It uses Bluetooth 5.4 and NFC for location tracking but does not include ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. However, a UWB-enabled version is reportedly in development and might launch in the future.
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Pre-Order Open
Bluetooth LE Unplugged — Learn the Protocol, SDK Free
Two professional USB dongles ship to your door. You learn Bluetooth LE through AT commands — no SDK, no toolchain, no barriers. Hardware ships now, course starts April 20th.
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P.S. Aliro 1.0 just launched with Apple, Google, and Samsung on board — if you're working on access control products, I'd love to hear how you're thinking about adopting it. Hit reply.
— Mohammad Afaneh
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