iPhone Bluetooth

The days of a Bluetooth link to iPhone may be numbered for Apple Watch. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Apple may be planning to include cellular connectivity in the next generation Apple Watch. The news comes hot on the heels of a major announcement from Apple, requiring all app submissions to be native apps built using the watchOS 2 SDK. The requirement takes effect on June 1, just weeks ahead of WWDC 2016.

Forget about thermostats and light bulbs. The next iPhone-friendly home improvement is already here, and it's called Kēvo from lock maker Kwikset. Thanks to Bluetooth this UniKey-enabled wireless deadbolt unlocks with a simple touch, that is as long as you have your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch somewhere close-by.

Once your iOS device is paired with the Kēvo, the deadbolt detects that an authorized device is within range and will lock or unlock when touched. The slick built-in light even flashes green to indicate the lock is being activated successfully. Bluetooth 4 is required, so that limits compatibility to at least the iPhone 4S, iPad 3, iPod touch 5G or newer devices. Low energy consumption means the four AA batteries installed in your door last a whole year.

An exciting new project is being funded on Kickstarter, to the tune of $1 million in just 28 hours. The Pebble smartwatch links up with your iPhone and can be fully configured to run a variety of apps. Aside from customizing the e-paper watch face, Pebble owners will be able to receive information on their wrist without ever pulling out the iPhone.

Pebble will notify the user of incoming calls, emails, calendar alerts, Facebook messages, Tweets, and Weather alerts for starters. To clear a notification from the watch, simply shake your wrist thanks to the built-in accelerometer. Pebble includes a silent vibrating alarm as well.

Yes, the iPhone 4S is Bluetooth Smart Ready, but what exactly does that mean? It may be the first smartphone to support the new Bluetooth 4 wireless standard, however many consumers are in the dark about its improvements and benefits. So how will the addition of the latest Bluetooth technology really affect prospective iPhone 4S buyers and owners of the device?

The upgraded Bluetooth was one of the top iPhone 4S surprises not mentioned at the Apple keynote presentation. One of the reasons it was left on the back burner could be the fact that peripherals using the new standard with iPhone 4S don't yet exist. Although this is an area where future development looks bright, the technology hasn't hit prime time.

With the appropriately geeky tag line, "Take THAT BlackBerry!" the shopping website ThinkGeek has announced a flip-out physical keyboard accessory for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. The TK-421 iPhone case comes complete with a rotating hinge and its own built-in Bluetooth mini-keyboard.

The TK-421 is no iTwinge, but it does have a similarly odd name. The keyboard has its own USB-rechargeable battery and works with any application that already uses the on-screen keyboard. The product provides protection for the sides and back of the iPhone just like a case.