Nokia Creates Wibree to Replace Bluetooth

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/10/03/HNnokiawireless_1.html">http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/10/03/HNnokiawireless_1.html</a><br /><br /><i>"Nokia has developed a new, short-range wireless technology that it says could improve on some of the shortcomings of Bluetooth...The technology could compete with Bluetooth in the workplace as a way to link keyboards and other peripherals to computers. But it could also have more interesting applications for consumers, in devices such as wrist watches, toys, and sports equipment."</i><br /><br />Oh goodie. Another wireless initiative, this time by a single vendor. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to replace bluetooth. It is such a spectacular technology, and its name has become synonymous with bliss and trouble free operation. :roll:

[PPCRules]

Another wireless initiative, this time by a single vendor.
"Several companies are working with Nokia to define the Wibree specification, including Broadcom, Epson, and Nordic Semiconductor, Nokia said. They hope to submit the technology to a standardization process, which could help it to gain wider support.
Nokia hopes eventually to license Wibree to manufacturers that wish to use it."

Not quite an allstar cast, but it's not a single vendor. Another article indicates Nokia realizes it is an uphill battle so they intend to keep the licencing fee "low" to spur adoption.

Also note that Wibree's own web site states "bit rate of 1 Mbps and provides link distance of 5-10 meters" as opposed to "10 meters, and can transfer data at 10 megabits per second" in the linked article.

[helten]

It is not supposed to replace Bluetooth otherwise I don't think CSR (maker of more than 50% of all Bluetooth chips) or Broadcom would join Nokia to promote this technology. They are even trying to make Wibree a part of the Bluetooth specification.

Wibree could fill a market gap for VERY low-power devices like watches or short-range sensors. It's even designed to be integrated with Bluetooth in a single chip...

Check out http://wibree.com/ for more information.

[Duncan]

Oh goodie. Another wireless initiative, this time by a single vendor. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to replace bluetooth. It is such a spectacular technology, and its name has become synonymous with bliss and trouble free operation. :roll:

When it isn't being crippled by those implementing it - yes, it is blissful and trouble free. C'mon Ed - you know full well that it isn't the technology itself that is at fault.

Let's think - who's got one of the worst records for poor implementation... oh yes, Nokia...!

[RogueSpear]

This has "Memory Stick" written all over it.

[Yata]

I cannot imagine why anyone would want to replace bluetooth.

It's a complimentary technology designed for devices incapable of using existing Bluetooth technology. It is being promoted as an open standard and there are some other big industry players behind it, even if they do not have the same kind of consumer brand recognition as Nokia.

And I agree, there's nothing wrong with Bluetooth itself. Sony Ericsson been implementing it perfectly for many years. It is a shame that Microsoft's BT stack is not up to the same high standards.

[mrmagoo]

The article even states it...Wibree has similar characteristics as Zigbee. Why have a similar standard to Zigbee??? Likely because Broadcom had decided not to pursue Zigbee and is now recognizing that there is a future for low power/low data rate after all.

[sofene]

This has "Memory Stick" written all over it.Or Symbian?