Some Mac users, specifically those with Macs that don’t support Bluetooth LE, weren’t too happy to find out that meant they would likely not get to use Apple’s new Handoff feature to seamlessly switch between apps across Macs and iOS devices. To be clear, Apple has not yet confirmed details of device compatibility for most Yosemite features, but some users have reported that only Mid 2011 MacBook Airs, Mid 2012 MacBook Pros, late 2012 iMacs, and 2013 Mac Pro or newer models– the Macs that include Bluetooth LE– appear to support the feature. We’ve learned from people with knowledge of the matter that Apple is still testing the feature and yet to finalize which Macs will be capable of supporting it.
If Apple does indeed decide that the feature will require Macs with Bluetooth LE, it is possible some older models would be able to use third-party Bluetooth LE adapters to get access to the feature. While that might not include all Macs and all adapters, the good news is it’s possible. Netkas.org, for example, was able to get Continuity features working by using an adapter installed into a previous gen Mac Pro:
The Handoff feature allow users to easily switch between devices and pick up where they left across any of their Apple devices. Earlier this month we reported that Apple TV would also likely be gaining access to the Handoff feature as part of Apple’s “Continuity” suite of features it previewed ahead of the upcoming release of iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 Yosemite.
Sometimes macrumors aren’t completely right… My 2008 MacPro (so old) has a wifi card from some new imacs/mbp installed with adapter to mini-pcie slot. It gives me 802.11ac AND bluetooth 4.0, no need to remove old bt card, as new one is preferred over old one… Continuity is supported:
