Logi Bolt: Logitech with new wireless technology for peripherals

Logitech is making its peripherals more secure. The company has introduced a new wireless technology called Logi Bolt. It is meant to complement the existing Unifying technology while being more secure as well as faster.

New adapter needed

Like the already familiar Unifying adapter, Bolt sits as an adapter in the USB slot to establish the connection between devices. In doing so, Logi Bolt is said to be more secure, provide more stable connections and offer cross-platform compatibility of wireless keyboards and mice. Above all, the increased security is in focus after peripheral devices from various manufacturers were recently affected by security vulnerabilities.

Logi Bolt will initially launch with support for six select business-series keyboards and mice, including four MX and two Ergo products that will be re-branded with a new Logi Bolt adapter:

• MX Keys Combo for Business
• MX Keys for Business
• MX Master 3 for Business
• MX Anywhere 3 for Business
• ERGO K860 Split Keyboard for Business
• M575 Wireless Trackball Mouse for Business

The peripherals either connect directly to the computer via Bluetooth or make use of the included Bluetooth USB adapter.

Higher range, more secure

Logitech says the new Logi Bolt wireless technology offers increased range of up to 10 meters, with up to eight times lower latency in highly congested wireless environments, compared to “commonly used wireless protocols.”

Logi-Bolt USB receivers operate with Bluetooth Low Energy in Security Mode 1 at Level 4 (Secure-Connections-Only or FIPS mode). The signal is thus encrypted via CCM, while pairing is done with a Diffie-Hellman key exchange. The new products are already paired at the factory with the included USB receiver, and Logitech relies on the Bluetooth 4.2 standard as a basic requirement.

As with Unifying technology, the Logi-Bolt wireless adapter allows multiple devices to be paired with just one receiver. Up to six devices can be connected simultaneously. Logitech devices with Logi Bolt technology are available for pre-order now from Logitech dealers worldwide, but will be sold exclusively through Logitech’s B2B partner network.