Nokia's Ultra Low Power Wireless Networking Standard Merged into Bluetooth

Nokia and the Bluetooth SIG have agreed to merge the Wibree short-range wireless networking standard into the Bluetooth standard.

Wibree has a great deal in common with Bluetooth, but it is optimized for devices requiring extremely low power consumption, small size, and low cost. It was designed to allow handhelds, smartphones, and PCs to connect to small, button-cell battery powered accessories where Bluetooth's power requirements can be too high, such as watches, wireless keyboards, toys, and sports sensors.

"Our members have been asking for an ultra low power Bluetooth solution," said Michael Foley, Ph. D. executive director, Bluetooth SIG. "With Nokia's innovative development and contribution to the Bluetooth specification with Wibree, we will be able to deliver this in approximately one year."

The work of integrating the low-power technology within the existing Bluetooth specification has begun, and the first version of the specification is expected during first half of 2008.

Related Articles

• Palm Now Offering New Bluetooth Keyboard
• Brando Mini Bluetooth Keyboard Review