LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Last night, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the 11 finalists for the Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards. Asthmapolis, FMC, LUMO BodyTech, MapMyFitness, Novalia, Orbotix, Parrot, Swissmed Mobile, Tethercell, Weartech, and zSmart. The Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards are an annual program that recognizes the best Bluetooth enabled products and applications on the market today, as well as innovative prototypes of products coming soon.
“2012 was a pretty incredible year for Bluetooth – we saw rapid adoption of Bluetooth Smart Ready and Bluetooth Smart technology, a huge influx in Bluetooth audio products, and a wealth of applications launched utilizing Bluetooth connectivity,” said Suke Jawanda, Bluetooth SIG CMO. “The finalists selected for the Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards are a perfect snapshot of the vast network of Bluetooth enabled products. From tiny sensor devices like the Asthmapolis and LUMOback, to killer stereo audio products, like the Parrot Zikmu Solo, our members are making products, and the user experience, better with Bluetooth.”
The Bluetooth SIG named the MetaWatch STRATA as an honorable mention winner.
Finalists by Category
Breakthrough Products
Asthmapolis – Asthmapolis uses Bluetooth enabled inhaler sensors, mobile applications, and advanced analytics to help patients and physicians with asthma management.
LUMO BodyTech – LUMOback is a Bluetooth wireless sensor and mobile app that provides real-time feedback on posture and movement.
Orbotix – Sphero is the robotic ball gaming system controlled via a smartphone or tablet with single and multi-player apps through a Bluetooth connection.
Parrot – Zikmu Solo is an advanced wireless stereo tower speaker that streams music via Bluetooth.
Weartech – GOW Trainer is a training system that includes a smart T-shirt with integrated cardiac sensors, Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitor, an app, and online tracking.
Breakthrough Applications
FMC – Find My Car Smarter automatically saves your parking location through its app and wireless connection with Bluetooth Smart technology.
MapMyFitness – MapMyRun is a fitness tracking application that uses the built-in GPS of a mobile device to track and manage all fitness activities, using Bluetooth to connect with a myriad of products from different manufacturers.
Swissmed Mobile – MedM Platform application is a mobile and desktop patient-monitoring platform, using Bluetooth to connect with products from different manufacturers.
Breakthrough Prototypes
Novalia – Viva La Revolucion brings interactivity to print with a poster that uses state of the art techniques in printed electronics, pairing with your smartphone via Bluetooth to control jazz jams.
Tethercell, LLC – Tethercell is a AA-battery adapter controlled via smartphone or tablet that uses its app and Bluetooth Smart connectivity to switch battery-operated devices on and off and track battery life.
zSmart – Mood LED is a 6-watt colored LED light bulb that has the color selection, brightness, and power controlled wirelessly using Bluetooth Smart.
An overall winner, along with three category winners, will be announced at the Pepcom media event on Feb. 24 at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. As the title sponsor of this year’s Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards, Nordic Semiconductor will be awarding the finalists with evaluation kits and giving away a free trip to its headquarters in Norway to the category winners. The overall winner will also receive a Bluetooth protocol analyzer, valued at USD 40,000, from Ellisys, the preferred technology partner sponsor.
About Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
Bluetooth wireless technology is the global wireless standard enabling simple, secure connectivity for an expanding range of devices and serves as the backbone of the connected world. Bluetooth Smart Ready and Bluetooth Smart branded devices, through an updatable platform and low power consumption, create new application opportunities for the mobile phone, consumer electronics, PC, automotive, health & fitness and smart home industries. With over two billion devices shipping annually, Bluetooth is the wireless technology of choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide. Backed by industry leading companies, the Bluetooth SIG empowers over 17,500 member companies to collaborate, innovate and guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information please visit www.bluetooth.com.