Bzzzz zzz [ZigBee wireless standard]

The author discusses the question of whether the ZigBee wireless standard, promoted by an alliance of 25 firms, a big threat to Bluetooth? ZigBee, developed for the 2.4 GHz band, looks rather like Bluetooth but is simpler, has a lower data rate and spends most of its time snoozing. This characteristic means that a node on a ZigBee network should be able to run for six months to two years on just two AA batteries, claim its backers. However, there are questions about ZigBee's viability. The target of building automation as the main application makes technical sense but it is a field notoriously slow at adopting new technologies. In other proposed applications, ZigBee seems to tread on Bluetooth's toes but the technical and price advantages are marginal and unsubstantiated: there are no finished ZigBee chips and low prices necessitate very high volumes.