What Is Wibree?
As electronic technology continues to evolve, newer and better solutions become available. A recent innovation is the Wibree, which is meant to open up a whole new world of applications for the interface between computers and mobile devices and a number of the electronic battery powered instruments that many people use daily. Here is some background on the development of the Wibree and how its application may enhance the way we live. Essentially, Wibree represents the latest in open wireless technology that can create a connection between such devices as laptops and hand held communications devices such as a Bluetooth® and the small batteries found in watches, wireless keyboards and gaming sensors. The concept of such a technological advance first began with research at Nokia during 2001. With an eye toward expanding the potential service options available with wireless communication, the direction for the project was to develop a low power solution that would allow connection with a n
By Adam Stone January 5, 2007 Last October, Nokia introduced Wibree technology. Analysts say it could capture major market share. Nokia says it could open up broad new wireless uses. The wireless community says: what is it? The short answer is, it’s an extension to Bluetooth, one that extends the capabilities of the Bluetooth protocol to better enable low-power uses and to better process data intermittently, rather than continuously. That’s a potentially powerful formula, according to the analysts at ABI Research, who say the market for Wibree products could reach $513 million by 2011. “I think there is a valid market for it,” says principal analyst Stuart Carlaw. That market could encompass a range of small, low-power devices, things like heart monitors for exercise or wireless wristwatches to serve as data ports for mobile phones. Wibree’s low power consumption will enable these uses, according to Jamey Hicks, director of Nokia Research Center Cambridge. “Bluetooth is great,” he says
