Although Bluetooth technology is commonly used today for syncing up mobile devices with headsets or for wirelessly networking PCs with mice and printers, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is working on two new standards that will make the technology both faster and more energy-efficient. Mike Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG, says the specifications will greatly expand the types of applications that can utilize Bluetooth for wireless communications.

The low-energy specification, which Foley says should be completed by year-end, will enable Bluetooth technology for use on devices that require less energy than cell phones or personal computers, such as watches and heart-rate monitors.

"The watch industry is extremely excited about this low-energy Bluetooth specification," Foley says. "The use of watches has been declining because people are using their mobile phone as their watch now. For the watch industry, they can leverage the mobile phone platform by syncing it up with your wristwatch. So for instance, if someone calls you on your mobile phone, your watch will serve as the caller ID and let you know who is calling."

Nick Jones, an analyst at Gartner who recently named the new Bluetooth specifications as the most important wireless technology to watch over the next two years, says that having a low-energy option for Bluetooth makes it the perfect technology for sensors that use relatively little energy and that spend a lot of time in standby mode. With low-energy Bluetooth technology installed, Jones says that batteries on the sensors can be designed to last for years.

"The low energy Bluetooth standard will open up a lot of possibilities," he says. "With the new low energy mode there is the potential to build sensors that can talk to your mobile phone and be controlled remotely, such as the thermostat in your house."