One of the coolest software features Apple unveiled on stage during WWDC 2014 may not be available to all iOS and Mac users, German publication Apfeleimer speculates. “Continuity” / “Handoff” or the ability of iOS 8 and Yosemite users to pick up actions started on one platform and continue them on the other – including calling and full SMS support for Macs running Yosemite – may only be available to iOS and OS X devices that have Bluetooth 4.0 LE support, which is apparently needed to establish a connection between devices.
Apple has not explicitly detailed how the feature works when it comes to the actual connection between devices, saying during the presentation that iOS and OS X devices need to be close for continuity features.
Assuming Apfeleimer’s report is accurate, older Macs that will be able to run Yosemite may not actually offer “Handoff” support. The oldest Macs that can support Handoff are the mid 2011 MacBook Air and the Mac mini in case Bluetooth 4.0 LE is required. Obviously, everything else launched since then would be able to let users pick up on their Macs things that were started on an iPhone or iPad.
As for iOS devices compatible with iOS 8, only the iPad 2 won’t offer continuity features, as it also lacks Bluetooth 4.0 LE support.
The publication also provides a chart showing the Macs it thinks will have support the continuity feature, available below.
