CNN Money’s website published an article yesterday on the next gen of Bluetooth that highlights the benefits of the low-power direction.

“The ultra-low-power Wibree technology will become part of the low-power Bluetooth spec to extend Bluetooth’s reach into small devices that use button-cell batteries, including wristwatches, toys, healthcare devices, and sensors for sports and gaming activities.”

Implemented, these technologies would allow Bluetooth to deliver data to 3Mbps (& Wibree streaming data at up to 1Mbps) with up to 90 percent less power consumption. Other Bluetooth applications could see power savings of 10 percent to 20 percent.We could see implementation of a single-mode ultra-low-power spec and a dual-mode Wibree/Bluetooth “in the first part of 2008,” said Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. The spec will be available royalty-free. A “realistic time line” for the first products incorporating the spec is the third quarter of 2008.

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Talk about news man, this is like Apple and Microsoft joining forces and combining their technology for all the world to use.  Oh wait, I guess they kind of already are doing that, Mac’s running Windows and all.  Well, we really don’t need to get into a Mac vs. Windows debate on here, so I’m going to do the right thing and TOTALLY change the subject back to the purpose of this blog post!

So, the story is, Bluetooth and rival tech Wibree are going to join forces to bring the wireless technology to devices that, up to this point, were far too small for it.  With this joining of proverbial hands, gadgets like “watches, heart rate monitors, pedometers and pill boxes,” will be able to wirelessly communicate with other Bluetooth devices and everything will be all happy and in-sync. The possibilities, dear friends, are endless.

The idea that our Bluetooth devices are going to continue to get smaller, use less power and require less charging is, well, exciting.  What’s even better is, I am writing for a company that is at the forefront of Bluetooth innovation, and to be honest I could not be happier.  Come check out MoGo, you won’t be sad you did.

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