[March 02, 2015]

Bluetooth SIG Announces Bluetooth Breakthrough Award Winners

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the overall winner and the four category winners of the annual Bluetooth® Breakthrough Awards, as selected by media partner CNET, the world's leading source of technology news and reviews.

As the exclusive media partner for the 2014-15 Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards, CNET led the charge in choosing the overall winner, along with category winners. Representing the best Bluetooth Smart enabled products and applications currently on the market and innovative prototypes coming soon, the category winners are: Procter & Gamble's Oral-B (Application), SMART Technologies' (News - Alert) SMART kapp (Product), and iCradle GmbH's COBI (Prototype). Sixteen-year-old Kenneth Shinozuka was named the winner in the Student category, which recognizes young makers and thinkers for their innovative concepts that will drive the next generation of Bluetooth devices and wireless advancement.

"The Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards continue to exemplify the breadth of Bluetooth enabled products and Bluetooth technology's unique ability to spur innovation," said Errett Kroeter, senior director of marketing at Bluetooth SIG. "Our winners continue to shine a light on the extraordinary products, apps, and prototypes that come from our membership, hobbyists, and students. Bluetooth wireless technology continues to provide the scale, flexibility, and trust that inspires innovation and delivers the best consumer experiences."

From the category winners, COBI, the Bluetooth Smart wireless hub and hands-free bicycle system from iCradle GmbH, earned top honors as the Overall Winner for its distinctive implementation of Bluetooth technology. As the overall winner, iCradle will be in attendance at Bluetooth World 2015 in April, receiving two round-trip tickets and free exhibition space valued at $12,500 USD.

"COBI was our favorite prototype and named the overall Bluetooth Breakthrough Award winner for its simple yet clever functionality as a bicycle add-on. Using Bluetooth Smart to turn your smart phone into a smart dashboard for your ike, this is a future product with some real potential," said John Falcone, executive editor at CNET. "Across the board, the winners demonstrated original approaches to using Bluetooth technology across the spectrum of all facets of everyday modern life."

Winners by Category

Breakthrough Student

SafeWander^TM (Kenneth Shinozuka) is a wearable sensor that uses Bluetooth Smart to improve remote health monitoring, specifically focused on helping Alzheimer's patients from wandering by sending alerts to caregivers and family members. "Kenneth turned his family's adversity - a grandfather stricken with the illness - into inspiration. This is a simple but effective solution that's even more impressive when you realize that Kenneth is a high school student," added CNET's Falcone. The Student category winner receives a cash prize of $5,000 USD.

Breakthrough Application

Oral-B Application (Procter & Gamble) accompanies an electronic toothbrush that uses Bluetooth Smart technology to send information securely and efficiently and track real-time data about dental habits. CNET selected the Oral-B app in this category because it "is the next best thing to having your dentist there to encourage your daily tooth brushing regimen."

Breakthrough Product

SMART kapp (SMART Technologies) leverages Bluetooth Smart technology to easily and digitally capture, save, and share content from a dry-erase board with any PC and mobile device. "SMART kapp aims to bring the white board into the twenty-first century. Finally, all of the best ideas from office brainstorm meetings won't be wiped away by a wayward eraser," said CNET.

Breakthrough Prototype and Overall Winner

COBI (iCradle GmbH) uses Bluetooth Smart technology to transform any bike into a smart, connected bike for a more fun, safe, and convenient experience.

For complete details on all winners, visit CNET or https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/news-events/bluetooth-breakthrough-awards.

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 technology, through an updatable platform and low power consumption, creates new application opportunities for the mobile phone, consumer electronics, PC, automotive, health & fitness and smart home industries. With nearly three 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 25,000 member companies to collaborate, innovate and guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information, please visit www.bluetooth.com.

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