Wibree

Wibree

Group 5

Lauren Childress, Shana Hayes, Katie Overstreet and Brad Smith

Key Words:

The business world today is always looking for a better and more sufficient way of doing things. Wibree does just this. It is a personal area networking technology which is a short-range wireless connection that is similar and compatible with Bluetooth. Wibree is a way to provide communications between PCs or cell phones and other small button powered devices. It can also transfer data without a mobile device or radio having to be turned on. Wibree will benefit businesses because it is much more power efficient and more convenient considering how accessible it will be. Wibree is scheduled to be released in the United States in the second quarter of the year 2007.

Wibree was created by Nokia as a short-ranged, wireless connection that is similar and also works with Bluetooth. It compliments close range communication with Bluetooth like performance through radio technology within 0 – 10 meter range and data rate of 1 Mbps. Wibree can provide communications from PCs or cell phones to many other small devices such as: wrist watches, keyboards and mice, toys, sports and medical sensors. Wibree can also link to cell phones to transfer calls, calendar items, documents, songs and pictures. This will be so helpful because the majority of the world today has cell phones and it will allow such a convenience to people that was never even known before. Since our society is moving to such a high pace environment people are always looking for a quicker and more convenient way of doing things. Because of Wibree, people will not be limited to computers or being in the office to get the information they need like before. They will be able to get it on the go through their cell phones. It is said to become the industry’s standard for small device applications. Another benefit for using Wibree is it can be used within intelligent clothing and jewelry whereas Bluetooth is not able to operate in such things.

Wibree can also be used in two different ways. It can either be used as a stand-alone chip or as a Bluetooth-Wibree dual-mode chip. The stand-alone chip can be best used in the small devices such as watches and sports sensors. Wibree’s dual-mode chip will be used in devices that already use Bluetooth which will extend Bluetooth’s device connectivity to a whole new range of the smallest devices. This will be very beneficial to those who already use Bluetooth because you can still use Bluetooth, but now with the incorporation of Wibree, everything will be much more time and power efficient.

“Wibree technology is an important development that opens up new market opportunities and a whole new range of possibilities for mobile users,” says Dr. Bob Lannucci, head of Nokia Research Center. Dr. Lannucci also goes on to say that Nokia’s aim is to establish a standard that is faster than ever by incorporating a solution that can be commercialized and added to products quickly. Wibree will benefit businesses around the world by providing lower power consumption, small size and a low cost. Wibree is proven to be ten times more energy efficient than Bluetooth and that alone will cut down on a lot of cost for any company who uses Wibree in place of Bluetooth alone. While Bluetooth is looking for ultra-high frequencies above 6 gigahertz for new faster connections, Wibree will operate in the 2.4 gigahertz band. Wibree will also be much more convenient because it will allow mobile phones to become a multimedia device that can connect with other devices.

There are several companies who are working with Nokia to make Wibree available a fast as possible. Some of the companies include: Broadcom, CSR, Epson, Nordic Semiconductor, Taiyo Yuden and Amer Sports unit Suunto. All of these companies have different roles in making Wibree as successful of a product as possible. These companies will also be able to help in the advertising and getting the word out about this new product once it has been completed and is out on the market.

Even though I feel that this is a great product and will be very beneficial to the business world there are some pitfalls. One large problem will be getting industry wide support for another wireless standard. Since there are already so many different wireless devices out on the market it might take a little while for people to actually believe how beneficial this product actually can be. There is uncertainty about Wibree’s place in the broader short-range wireless market and also the name “Wibree” is similar to both Wifi and Zigbee, which are both competitors of Bluetooth. It might also take a while for people to recognize how well this product works and also convincing the people why this product is for them. Finally there is also an enormous amount of pressure from the consumer goods sector where Nokia has less power. Even though Nokia has less power in the consumer goods sector, I don’t think this will be near as big of a problem because there are already several other companies on board with Wibree that these other companies will be able to take some of the pressure away and also bring Nokia more power than it being alone.

It is easy to see why Wibree will be so beneficial to the business world. It can help from areas of saving time and money to complimenting products which are already being used in the business world, like Bluetooth. For the companies who are already implementing Bluetooth in there everyday operations, Wibree can only benefit them more by convenience, saving power and time, which leads to saving money. Once Wibree has had the opportunity to be used it will be able to benefit everyone around the world.

References

Frenzel, Louis. (2006, October). A New Wireless Technology for Your Bag of Tricks. Wireless System Design Magazine. Retrieved October 9, 2006, from http://www.wsdmag.com/Article/ArticleID/13780/13780.html

Nokia introduce Wibree technology as open industry initiative. (2006, October). Wibree. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from http://www.wibree.com/press/

Nokia unveils new short-range wireless tech. (2006, October). News.com. Retrieved October 3, 2006 from http://news.com.com/Nokia+unveils+new+short-range+wireless+tech/2100-1039_3-6122058.html

Wibree
Group 5

1.	When is Wibree scheduled to be released?

2008

2007

2006

2009

2.	Who created Wibree?

Bluetooth

Espon

Broadcom

Nokia

1. 3.3. 2.3.

How long of a range can Wibree work in?

0-10 m

11-20 m

21-30 m

31-40 m

4.	Wibree will help in all areas of business except:

A.	Lower power consumption

B.	Small size

C.	Easier to use

D.	Lower cost

5.	What is Wibree very similar to?

A.	Cell phone

Computer

Ipod

Bluetooth

6.	What will Wibree not be able to work within?

Remotes

Keyboards

Toys

D.	Medical Sensors

7.	How can Wibree be used?

A.	Stand-alone chip

B.	Dual-mode chip

C.	All of the above

D.	None of the above