The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (aka Bluetooth SIG ) has some fairly grand plans for the way forward for its wireless technology, and it’s now recruited some big players to assist get it there. The gang announced yesterday that it’s added both Apple and Nordic Semiconductor to its board of directors — companies that it says can help it “drive Bluetooth technology’s expansion into platform and sensor markets.” Particularly, the crowd is setting its sights on wireless health sensors, which it hopes to finally gain a true foothold in thanks the lower power requirements of the Bluetooth 4.0 standard , and due to the experience of Nordic, which has a protracted history of working with such devices. Full press release is after the break.
Industry Leaders Support Expansion of Bluetooth Technology into New Markets
KIRKLAND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced two new members to its board of directors from Apple and Nordic Semiconductor. Leaders of their perspective markets, Apple and Nordic join household names Intel, Motorola, Lenovo, Nokia, Microsoft, Ericsson AB, and Toshiba at the Bluetooth SIG board. These companies, plus the greater than 14,500 additional Bluetooth SIG member companies, will drive Bluetooth technology’s expansion into platform and sensor markets.
“We see the significance of platform development and ultra-low power sensor silicon for Bluetooth technology and believe guidance and board participation from Apple and Nordic, industry leaders in these perspective fields, is very important,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “We now have set the ambitious goal of shipping five billion devices in 2015 – to get there we must continue to construct a technology if you want to offer an easy and secure solution that may be found everywhere, in every kind of device. These additions to our board will ensure we reach new markets now we have targeted for growth.”
The way in which consumers utilize digital devices is undergoing a fundamental shift – cell phones, laptops and tablets, TVs or even cars now stand to function hub devices that capture data from small sensors monitoring everything from footsteps, heart rate activity, blood pressure and sugar levels to accommodate temperature. Hub devices turn that data into useful information on the application layer, then may push that information to the cloud. Apple and Nordic understand this shift; insight from Apple on platform development and Nordic for sensor silicon demands will ensure a smooth growth trajectory of Bluetooth v4.0 into these new areas.
Nordic Semiconductor’s Svein-Egil Nielsen brings extensive experience in R&D in addition to his entrepreneurial spirit to the Bluetooth SIG. Nielsen’s vast understanding of the ultra-low power space and its demands might help guide continued development of the Bluetooth v4.0 specification.
“Bluetooth technology was the primary R&D focus at Nordic for the last six years and we’re now able to enable new and exciting products for consumers,” said Svenn-Tore Larsen, CEO Nordic Semiconductor. “With our success in ultra-low power wireless technology, we all know the market, applications and the shoppers. Nordic is proud to have the ability to increase this data to the Bluetooth community.”
Apple and Nordic’s two-year appointments were agreed upon by unanimous vote of the present board of directors and should officially begin on July 1, 2011.
About Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
Bluetooth wireless technology is the worldwide wireless standard enabling simple connectivity for a broad range of electronic devices. Version 4.0 featuring Bluetooth low energy technology creates new application opportunities for products inside the cellphone, consumer electronics, PC, automotive, health & wellness, sports & fitness and smart home industries. With nearly two billion devices shipping annually, Bluetooth technology is the only real proven wireless solution for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide. Backed by industry leading companies, the Bluetooth SIG empowers greater than 14,500 member companies to collaborate, innovate and guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For additional information please visit www.bluetooth.com. Bluetooth wireless technology: Simple. Secure. Everywhere.
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