The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) on February 19 announced the appointment of Ian Macnamara of Nokia to the position of chairman of the board. As chairman, Macnamara will lead the group of seven board members who provide guidance to the Bluetooth SIG on the creation and promotion of Bluetooth wireless technology.
"For years, Ian and Nokia have been deeply involved in the development of Bluetooth technology. The Bluetooth SIG is especially pleased to have Ian in this position as we move to incorporate Wibree technology, first created by Nokia, as Bluetooth technology's ultra low power solution," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.
Macnamara is technology manager for Nokia's Complementary Wireless platforms group. Using his Electronic Engineering, background, he spent many years working in
"This is an exciting time to be a part of the evolution of Bluetooth technology. The SIG and its thousands of member companies are constantly improving the technology, expanding into new markets and working to unite wireless technologies to meet every consumer need," said Macnamara. "It's an honor to be elected by the board to help guide the next year and plan for the next decade of Bluetooth technology."
Bluetooth technology turned 10 years old in 2008 and has nearly two billion devices with the technology in the marketplace. Macnamara expects that number to continue to grow with new advances like ultra low power and high speed Bluetooth technology.
"Ultra low power Bluetooth technology opens up new markets for the popular global standard, like sports and fitness, a wider arena within healthcare and monitoring and sensor applications. At the other end of the spectrum, high speed Bluetooth technology will provide consumers with the ability to quickly and easily transfer huge amounts of data, like video and complete music libraries, wirelessly," added Macnamara.
In addition to his position as the chairman of the board of directors of the Bluetooth SIG, Macnamara is also actively involved in the standardization of ultra-wideband technology (UWB) and serves on the WiMedia Alliance board of directors. The Bluetooth SIG is working to incorporate UWB with the Bluetooth standard for a high-speed version of the technology expected out in 2009.
Macnamara's appointment is effective immediately and succeeds Motorola's Dr. John Barr in the position of SIG chairman of the board. Barr, Motorola, will now serve as vice chairman of the board.
