Bluetooth has become an integral part of our digital lives. Whether driving, working, exercising or relaxing, over the past ten years it has ‘cut the wires’ and opened up lots of opportunities for promotional marketers.

The explosion of wireless gadgets has helped push the gadget sector to above 12% of the total spend on promotional products. Promotional Bluetooth products such as Bluetooth speakers, hands-free devices, mice, headphones, ear buds, selfie sticks and activity trackers all make our lives a little easier.

And according to Bluetooth SIG, the steering group that oversees the technology, 2016 will enjoy even more growth in consumer and business products. It will also witness a 100% increase in speed without upping power consumption, which will enable faster data transfer in critical applications (such as medical devices) and better responsiveness. Bluetooth is also expected to increase its coverage in 2016, from currently about 10M to over 40M.

Such advancements will encourage further development of the smart home and industrial automation, location-based services and smart infrastructure. Look out for Bluetooth enabled fridges, toothbrushes and weighing scales, all of which will connect wirelessly to smartphone Apps.

“There is significant demand from our members and the industry at large to enhance Bluetooth with the new capabilities,” says Toby Nixon, chairman of Bluetooth SIG board of directors. ‘Current projections put the market potential for the “Internet of Things” (IoT) between $2 and $11.1 trillion by 2025. The technical updates planned for Bluetooth technology in 2016 will help make these expectations a reality.’

Says Mark Powell, executive director, Bluetooth SIG, ‘The Bluetooth technology roadmap is a powerful expression of our mission to continue as a catalyst for industry innovation. The new functionality we will soon be adding will further solidify Bluetooth as the backbone of IoT technology.’

Make Memorable Merchandise

[mailmunch-form id=”172197″]

Jason Markwick

Having worked in Promotional Merchandise for the last 25 years I have been exposed to all aspects of the industry. Starting out as an account manager working with some of the worlds leading brands, I have learnt to understand the needs of a client, manufacturing processes, and what it takes to deliver a successful promotional campaign that is on brand, on time and within a given budget.