ITWire

Close integration with Bluetooth was envisaged from the outset. Nokia said that small devices such a watches and heat rate monitors would use stand-alone Wibree chips and dual-mode Wibree/Bluetooth chips would be used to extend bluetooth connectivity in larger devices. Wibree shares the same 2.4GHz spectrum as Bluetooth and 802.11. but gains its long battery life by being able to wake up, send data and return to sleep very quickly.

The Bluetooth SIG did not responded officially to last year's announcement of Wibree but Foley commented at the time on the development in his blog stressing how close the two technologies were and saying: "One important fact that doesn't seem to be mentioned [in the Nokia press release] is that in the complex device such as a mobile phone, Wibree is built upon Bluetooth wireless technology. Wibree consists of a small extension to a standard Bluetooth radio. As such, Wibree has the potential to enhance Bluetooth use cases in the phone by bringing sensor type devices into the fold."

He added that the Bluetooth SIG was also working towards adopting its technology to more power-limited devices. "We are evaluating existing and new technology in the industry as well as significant enhancements on the Bluetooth technology roadmap. As this evaluation continues there is the potential for additional partnerships to enable the ultra low power applications."

The announcement of the merger has thrown no more light on Nokia's original decision to create Wibree independent of Bluetooth. Jarkko Sairanen, vice president of corporate strategy for Nokia said: "The development work for Wibree began when we discovered a series of interesting new use scenarios that no current local connectivity solution was addressing. Now we are happy to see Wibree become part of the open Bluetooth standard, opening new market opportunities and space to innovate for the industry. Including Wibree within an existing forum will ensure interoperability and its wide and fast adoption. The Bluetooth SIG is the optimal new home for Wibree."
 
Nokia said that, to date, Broadcom, Casio, CSR, Epson, ItoM, Logitech, Nordic Semiconductor, ST Microelectronics, Suunto, Taiyo Yuden Co and Texas Instruments had contributed to the interoperability specification, profiles and use case definition of Wibree in their respective areas of expertise and would continue this work in the Bluetooth SIG working groups.