Kevin Mahaffey, chief technologist at Lookout, has been researching mobile device security since the days when BlueTooth was cutting-edge.

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For sensors expected to last months or a year on batteries, though, such as those used in security applications like window openings and motion detection, Bluetooth Smart is developing into a competitor to other low-power radios.

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They include products and devices such as Bluetooth headsets used with cell phones, handheld metal detectors used by airport security, iPods, iPhones, electric blankets and pills that are swallowed and used to image internal organs by transmitting wireless data.

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Every few months some consulting firm trying to (literally) scare up some business will come out with a report about how Bluetooth or WiFi or some other thing is vulnerable to hackers and is a major security risk.

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