The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has formally adopted Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0, which incorporates low energy technology. This means that low-power Bluetooth devices are likely to be available by the end of 2010.
Bluetooth low energy technology enables small battery-powered Bluetooth devices – such as healthcare and sports sensors – to communicate with Bluetooth-equipped mobile phones. These devices will be able to run for years on standard coin-cell batteries; a feat that existing Bluetooth devices are incapable of achieving.
Michael Foley PhD, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG, said "The finalisation of Bluetooth low energy wireless technology within the Core Specification is a monumental achievement. Bluetooth wireless technology can now, with the hard work of our members and our world-class qualification program, really do it all."