Signature Q1 2009 - (Page 27) We have Bluetooth low energy and high speed technology coming out. These are areas that will attract new consumers.” What’s ahead for the Evangelization Committee? “My biggest hope is that we have more members participating,” says Edlund, who notes that member companies can provide input by encouraging their marketing employees to serve on the committee. A Better Interface While the Evangelization Committee works to promote Bluetooth technology, the Personal User Interface Device (PUID) Working Group strives to expand it. “The main drive of the group is communication between wristwatches and cellular phones, though we’re trying to make the specifications work independently of those exact device types,” explains Juha Salokannel, the group’s chair and a member of the engineering staff at the Nokia Research Center. “We’ve already created some draft specifications, and we have watch companies, mobile phone companies and chip manufacturers involved.” A key part of the specification would allow watches to perform call handling. “If you receive an incoming call, your wristwatch display could show you who is calling,” explains Salokannel. “You could press a button on your watch to reject the call.” Salokannel says many of the potential use cases are coming from Japan. “On a crowded train in Tokyo, you’re not alone to speak on your mobile phone,” he notes. “It may be embarrassing if your phone starts to ring, and it’s in your bag. With a couple of presses on your watch’s interface buttons, you could switch your phone to silent mode.” The PUID group is also developing an out-of-range alert. “It’s a small but nice use case where you link your watch and mobile phone, so if they move out of each other’s range, the watch will alert you by making some noise or vibration,” he says. While this feature could deter theft, it’s intended primarily to counter absentmindedness. “If you have your phone in a bag, and you’re leaving the train,” Salokannel says, “a vibration on your wrist could let you know you’ve left something behind.” There could be additional benefits from having a Bluetooth low energy radio inside your watch. When your cell phone receives a time signal from the carrier, that information could be passed along to other devices. “If you’re changing time zones, it would be handy if your watch could be updated,” Salokannel explains. Though not planned for the initial round of PUID specifications, due in Q1 2009, the group has discussed adding an authentication function to Bluetooth enabled watches. “As you enter the vicinity of your PC, the two devices – one on your wrist and one on your PC – could find each other and exchange some information,” says Salokannel. “Then the PC could be available without your having to type a password.” David English is a technical writer whose articles have appeared in publications such as CNET, Forbes, Fortune, PC Magazine and ZDNet. Interested in being a part of the Evangelization Committee or the Personal User Interface Device Working Group? Visit bluetooth.org/groups for details. While the Evangelization Committee works to promote Bluetooth technology, the Personal User Interface Device Working Group strives to expand it. Bluetooth Special Interest Group | 27 http://www.bluetooth.org/groups
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