The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and Nokia Corp. announced that the Wibree forum, the group specifying the Nokia-developed ultralow-power wireless technology, will be merged with the Bluetooth SIG.

With the announcement, the Wibree specification will become part of the Bluetooth specification as an ultralow-power Bluetooth technology. Since Wibree addresses devices with very low battery capacity and can be easily integrated with Bluetooth technology, it will round out Bluetooth's wireless personal area networking (PAN) offering and strengthen its ability to provide wireless connectivity for smaller devices.

The Bluetooth SIG recognized the potential of Wibree to enhance current Bluetooth use cases around the mobile phone and PC by bringing very low power, sensor-type devices into the fold. The ultralow-power extension will allow watches and toys, as well as sports and wellness, healthcare and entertainment devices to be easily added to one's PAN. This opens a new range of mobile possibilities for end users.

"By including or referencing other wireless technologies like UWB for high-speed applications, 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."