Nokia Moves to Connect ‘last metre'

By Eddyson Lugangwa Posted 07 October 2006 @ 09:11 am EET     Print     Reprint     E-Mail     Comments

Johannesburg (IBTimes.com) - Nokia this week unveiled its Wibree technology, an open industry initiative extending local connectivity to small devices. This is expected to boost the standalone device market, as it is seen as extending the role mobile devices play in consumers' lives.

Making the announcement at a special media briefing, at Nokia's Research Centre in Finland this week, senior VP and head of the centre Dr Bob Iannucci referred to the technology as Nokia's step towards “connecting the final metre”.

Wibree, he told journalists, is a radio technology combining the four attributes required for mobile phones, PCs and wrist-top computers to connect with sensors, human interface devices, toys and home electronics devices.

These attributes are: low-peak, average and idle mode power consumption; low-cost and small size for accessories and human interface devices; minimal cost and size addition to mobile phones and PCs; and global, intuitive and secure multi-vendor interoperability.

“Wibree technology is an important development that opens up new market opportunities and a whole new range of possibilities for mobile users. Our aim is to establish an industry standard faster than ever before by offering an interoperable solution that can be commercialised and incorporated into products quickly,” Iannucci said.

Extension to Bluetooth

In short, he explained, Wibree can be seen as an extension to Bluetooth, as it complements other local connectivity technologies, consuming only a small amount of power, compared to similar radio technologies. This, said Iannucci, enables smaller and less costly implementations.

Wibree, he claimed, is the first open technology offering connectivity between mobile devices or PCs and small, button cell powered devices, such as watches, wireless keyboards, toys and sports sensors.

Specific focus will be on sectors such as healthcare, sport and digital lifestyle.

Bluetooth's main restriction, Iannucci stated, is how low-power it can go. “Wibree is a step beyond that. We can expect to see it working with devices that offer even greater power savings – to the factor of 10.”

Iannucci also pointed out that Wibree is specifically designed to function with existing Bluetooth hardware and infrastructure.

Nokia is defining the Wibree interoperability specifications with a group of companies representing semiconductor manufacturers, device vendors and qualification service providers. The technology will be made broadly available to the industry through an open and existing forum, enabling wide adoption of the technology.

Iannucci said the first commercial version of the interoperability specification would be available during the second quarter of 2007.