To take Bluetooth technology to a new low in power consumption, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced that it will integrate Nokia-developed ultralow-power wireless technology Wibree. With this announcement, as per the release, the Wibree specification will become part of the Bluetooth specification as an ultralow-power Bluetooth technology. Called Bluetooth ULP, it will round out Bluetooth technology’s wireless personal area networking (PAN) offering and strengthen the technology’s ability to provide wireless connectivity for smaller devices, according to Bluetooth SIG. According to the developers, Wibree consumes only a fraction of the power of classic Bluetooth radios.

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

“By including or referencing other wireless technologies like ultra wideband for high-speed applications, near field communication (NFC) for association and now Wibree for ultralow- power applications under the well-established Bluetooth profiles, we are opening up a host of new applications and functionality while keeping the user experience consistent,” said Michael Foley, executive director, Bluetooth SIG. “Our members have been asking for an ultralow-power Bluetooth solution. With Nokia’s innovative development and contribution to the Bluetooth specification with Wibree, we will be able to deliver this in approximately one year.”

Wibree’s development started at the Nokia Research Center in 2001. Wibree was announced to a broader audience in October of 2006 and Nokia stated its intention to incorporate the technology and its current forum into an open, preferably existing industry forum to ensure Wibree’s wide adoption. “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 new market opportunities and space to innovate for the industry,” said Jarkko Sairanen, vice president of corporate strategy for Nokia. “Including Wibree within an existing forum will ensure interoperability and its wide and fast adoption.”