Low-power Bluetooth chips won’t sap batteries

A LOW-ENERGY VERSION of Bluetooth wireless technology will be out soon, which could allow a whole new series of devices work with it.

According to Inform, the industry group behind the standard, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group said that chips for a low-energy version of Bluetooth will be ready in a few months and should arrive in time to be seen in products for the holidays.

Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, said, "It's going to enable an entirely new market for Bluetooth and allow it to be used in a category of products that Bluetooth just couldn't be used in before."

This could widen the range of devices that can use the wireless technology. For example, Bluetooth watches have so far been heavy and in need of frequent charging, but new devices could be the same size as regular watches and last a year on a battery.

Users spending money on a Bluetooth watch could get alerts from their phones showing the number of the caller. Unfortunately phones with existing Bluetooth chips won't be able to work with the low-power version, as they aren't compatible.

Foley also said he believes that fitness products such as pedometers and glucose monitors could be a big new market for low-power Bluetooth. µ