This Week in Bluetooth & UWB

Apr 17, 2026

In This Issue

→ NearLink vs. Bluetooth 6.0
→ Renesas on smart lock design
→ Printable Bluetooth labels
→ UWB heads to $17.6B by 2030
→ UWB enters U.S. defense tech

NearLink's Next Phase: From Smartphones to Peripherals

EE Times Asia

NearLink combines SparkLink Low Energy for low-latency communication and SparkLink Low Power for UWB-like ranging, positioning it as a dual-technology alternative to Bluetooth. Several NearLink-enabled devices are expected to integrate both NearLink and next-generation Bluetooth standards such as Bluetooth 6.0. Over the next three to five years, NearLink is likely to evolve as a complementary technology within the broader wireless landscape, rather than a direct replacement for existing global standards.

Addressing Technical Challenges in Next-Gen Smart Lock Design

Renesas Blog

A smart lock must remain responsive and secure while operating for months or even years on a battery, maintaining always-on connectivity with minimal energy impact. Renesas spotlights its DA14535MOD Bluetooth Low Energy module for ultra-low power operation, with more than 100 million units deployed worldwide. By supporting multiple access methods including PIN, NFC, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, and biometrics, manufacturers get flexibility to target diverse markets without compromising security, power efficiency, or user experience.

Reelables Launches First Printable Smart Label for Bluetooth and Cellular

Yahoo Finance

Reelables has launched Anywhere, an ultra-thin 2x4-inch sticker label that supports both Bluetooth and cellular networks and can be activated individually with a smartphone or in bulk by printing through a barcode printer. Pricing starts at $8 per label. The labels are approved for air transport, compatible with standard recycling streams, do not classify as e-waste, and don't interfere with recycling cardboard packaging. Target applications include facility arrivals and departures, verifying truck-level contents, and detecting when individual items within a shipment diverge.

Sennheiser Profile Wireless Gains Bluetooth Connectivity

Sennheiser Newsroom

A v5.0.0 firmware update adds Bluetooth to Sennheiser's clip-on Profile Wireless microphone system, eliminating the need for a separate receiver between the mic and a smartphone. The system works with mobile phones, laptops or tablets that offer high-quality Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3 codec) or Bluetooth Classic. LE Audio provides good audio quality and latency, while Classic connections sacrifice some quality but ensure wider compatibility.

JBL Go 5 Spotted on Amazon US with Bluetooth 6.0 and Auracast

Gizmochina

The JBL Go 5 has been listed on Amazon US with a release date of April 26 and pre-orders at $54.95. The Go 5 upgrades to Bluetooth 6.0 and supports SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs. It adds Bluetooth Auracast for sharing audio across multiple compatible devices, plus AirTouch one-tap pairing. It runs on a 1000 mAh battery rated at 3.85 Wh, with up to 8 hours of playback without lighting.

UWB Accelerates Into Industrial Scenarios

Business NewsWire

The global UWB market is expected to grow from $8.48 billion in 2025 to $17.62 billion in 2030, with the indoor positioning segment expanding from $1.65 billion to $4.94 billion over the same period. UWB uses nanosecond pulses spanning 500 MHz or more of bandwidth, leveraging Time of Flight and TDoA to achieve accuracy within 10 to 30 centimeters in complex industrial environments. Qorvo launched a fully integrated, ultra-low-power UWB SoC in March 2025, and NXP introduced a UWB-enabled wireless battery management system in November 2024.

Acron Technologies Acquires UWB Chip Company Alereon

PR Newswire

Acron Technologies has acquired Alereon, a fabless semiconductor company focused on UWB solutions for the defense electronics market and the official provider of the U.S. government's Intra-Soldier Wireless (ISW) solutions. UWB signals can provide invisibility while still allowing squad connectivity without cables, transmitting below the noise floor so soldiers maintain a bubble of anonymity while leveraging high-data-rate, low-power connections. By operating across 8 GHz of bandwidth, Alereon radios can support more than 30 simultaneous networks, each with dozens of devices.

Steelseries Rival Pro Mini Ditches 2.4 GHz for UWB

Yahoo Tech

Steelseries' unreleased Rival Pro Mini appears to use 8 kHz ultra-wideband wireless instead of the standard 2.4 GHz link. A UWB connection should be less prone to interference, though it is shorter-range than 2.4 GHz. The 49-gram mouse supports polling up to 8,000 Hz (0.25 ms), uses the PAW3950 sensor, 100% PTFE feet, and a swappable "Infinity Power System" battery. The leak came from retail packaging marked "Not Final Render."