NEWS: Nokia unveils new short-range wireless tech (Wibree)

<http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1035_22-6122058.html>

Reuters
Published on ZDNet News: October 3, 2006, 4:48 AM PT

Mobile phone market leader Nokia unveiled a new short-range wireless
connection on Tuesday that is smaller and more energy-efficient than
current Bluetooth technology and can be used in devices such as
watches.

The new radio technology, dubbed "Wibree," can work alongside
Bluetooth short-range wireless connections but use just a fraction of
the power.

"It's up to 10 times more energy efficient than Bluetooth," Bob
Iannucci, head of Nokia Research Center, told a news conference.

Nokia said it had worked for five years to develop the technology and
would put it through a standardization process along with a number of
other wireless technology firms. When Wibree has become a standard,
the technology would be available to anyone at the same reasonable
terms.

"Our aim is to establish an industry standard faster than ever before
by offering an interoperable solution that can be commercialized and
incorporated into products as quickly as possible," Iannucci said.

Like Bluetooth--used to link cell phones with headsets, computers and
printers to transfer calls, calendar items, documents, songs and
pictures--Wibree provides a radio link of up to 10 meters (30 feet)
between devices.

Because of their small size and low energy consumption, Wibree radio
chips will make it possible and efficient to connect phones and other
electronics devices to low-power watches or sports sensors and health
monitors.

Nokia said it expected the first commercial version of the standard
to be available during the second quarter of next year, while
products using the technology should follow soon after that.

While Bluetooth is looking for ultra-high frequencies above 6
gigahertz for new faster connections, Wibree will operate in the 2.4
gigahertz band.

Nokia expects devices currently connected by Bluetooth will get a
dual Bluetooth-Wibree chip, while devices that are currently not
connected will use a Wibree-only chip.

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MY COMMENT: Looks to me like a direct challenge to Bluetooth from a
company with enough market clout to make this a real contest
notwithstanding Bluetooth's big market lead.

--
Best regards,
John Navas