Lokalfunk

Vor kurzem erst kündigte das Bluetooth Standardisierungsgremium, die Bluetooth SIG, die gemeinsame Konzeptionierung von Bluetooth über WLAN (s. Posts hier, hier und hier) an, heute meldet sie das Aufgehen von Nokias Wibree Technologie im Bluetooth Standard. Dieser Schritt kommt nicht ganz überraschend, es war verschiedentlich vermutet worden, dass es Nokia mit dem Standard nur ein wenig zu lange gedauert hatte.

Auf einer Wibree Seite (wieder kein Impressum, ts) findet sich folgende Definition:

Wibree is a new interoperable radio technology for small devices. It can be built into products such as watches, wireless keyboards, gaming and sports sensors, which can then connect to host devices such as mobile phones and personal computers. It is essential the missing link between small devices and mobile devices/personal computers.

Entscheidend ist, Wibree basiert schon auf Bluetooth, allerdings in einer abgespeckten Variante, die kleinere und stromsparende Module erlaubt.

Zur Rolle der neuen Technologien im Bluetooth-Gewand schreibt Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth SIG:

By including or referencing other wireless technologies like ultra wideband for high speed applications, near field communication (NFC) for association and now Wibree for ultra low 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. Our members have been asking for an ultra low 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.

(Quelle: Pressemeldung Bluetooth SIG, 12.06.2007)

Michael Foley betreibt auch einen Blog, und schreibt zum Thema Wibree und kommender Zeitplan:

As this exciting news sinks in, I’m sure many of you have questions and at the top of the list is likely ‘when?’ The relationship begins today, but work has already begun to integrate the Wibree and Bluetooth specifications. This work will continue within the Bluetooth SIG working groups and we plan to have a prototyped and adopted specification in the first half of 2008. Sound familiar? That’s also the timeline for High Speed Bluetooth technology 2008, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the technology, looks to be another breakthrough year.

Da kommt also noch einiges auf uns zu in 2008 (ungefähr).