Bluetooth

Broadcom and Apple have extended their custom silicon partnership until 2031, with Broadcom supplying components like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and charging chips. The collaboration, ongoing since the late 2000s, includes developing custom ASICs for multiple Apple product generations.

The article highlights the top Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and cellular trackers of 2026, designed to help users avoid losing items. It includes two main recommendations and additional honorable mentions.

A highly reviewed Sound Blaster Katana V2X speaker by Creative Technologies can be hacked via Bluetooth to execute remote code on connected devices. Researcher Rasmus Moorats discovered the vulnerability through the proprietary Creative Transport Protocol (CTP).

A United flight bound for Spain returned to Newark mid-flight due to a security scare involving a Bluetooth device name. The flight carried 190 passengers and 12 crew members.

The Ugreen FineTrack 2, an AirTag alternative, offers a 110-decibel alarm, IP68 water/dust resistance, and a seven-year battery life for $14.99 (for Amazon Prime members). It is marketed as a durable, affordable Bluetooth tracker compatible with Apple’s Find My network.

United flight 236 from Newark to Palma de Mallorca was forced to return to Newark an hour after takeoff due to security concerns over a Bluetooth signal. Crew members repeatedly asked passengers to disable Bluetooth devices, with one Redditor reporting a one-minute warning before the flight turned back.

A United Airlines Boeing 767 flight returned to Newark after a Bluetooth device name triggered a security alert. The incident prompted the aircraft to divert and return to the airport for investigation.

Insta360 has launched its new wireless Mic Pro system featuring a three microphone array for improved recordings. The Mic Pro transmitters can directly connect to devices over Bluetooth and are available individually for $99.99 or in a kit with two microphone transmitters, one wireless receiver, and a charging case for $329.99. The Mic Pro system is designed to provide high-quality audio recordings.

Boox announces Tappy, a wireless page-turning remote that can work with other Bluetooth devices. The device is designed to provide convenience and ease of use. Tappy's compatibility with Bluetooth devices expands its functionality.

The article discusses the importance of traveling with a pair of cheap wired headphones, highlighting the inevitability of forgetting to charge Bluetooth headphones. This suggests that wired headphones are a more reliable option for travel. The article is titled 'Everyone Should Travel With a Pair of Cheap Wired Headphones' and is dated 2026.

Arxia is a new Layer 1 blockchain designed to function without internet infrastructure, using decentralized protocols like LoRa, Bluetooth, and SMS. It features a block lattice architecture, CRDT-based reconciliation, and Ed25519/Blake3 cryptography, with the first offline transaction tested between handheld devices in airplane mode.

Sonos has released the Play, a portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with long battery life and water resistance, marking a return to form after app issues in 2024. The company spent two years fixing problems and restoring core features following the app's negative reception and loss of a chief executive.

Teenage Engineering's unannounced KO-Amp 35 device appears in an FCC filing, suggesting a potential entry into budget guitar and instrument amps. The device, part of the EP family (which includes KO-II, Riddim, and Medieval), features a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth, and multiple color options, though details remain sparse.