TI Korea (CEO Kent Chon, www.ti.com/ww/kr ) August 1, 2013 – TI (CEO Kent Chon) announced the release of the Bluetooth Smart SensorTag app for Android to coincide with the launch of Android 4.3 “Jelly Bean,” which supports Bluetooth Smart Ready. This new app serves to remove barriers to entry for developers of apps for the millions of Android smartphones and tablets scheduled to support Bluetooth Smart Ready*. The app is available for free at www.ti.com/sensortag-app-android . With support for Android and iOS, TI has made the development of Bluetooth Smart appcessories using the CC2541-based SensorTag easier and faster. The SensorTag kit integrates six key sensors on a single board, enabling rapid evaluation and demo development. (For more information on the award-winning sensor tag, see www.ti.com/lprf-stdroid-pr )

This sensor tag kit allows users to run sample Bluetooth Smart applications on a smartphone or tablet in just a few minutes, without any expertise in hardware or software. With an affordable price of $25, the number of users of this kit is gradually increasing. Android and iOS developers and manufacturers have already begun development by adopting SensorTag to expand the Bluetooth appcessory market. Developers can share their SensorTag-enabled Bluetooth Smart apps through TI's Wiki page and Twitter #SensorTag.

Suke Jawanda, Chief Marketing Officer at Bluetooth SIG, said, “Android 4.3 enables Bluetooth Smart appcessories to work on all operating systems with Bluetooth Smart support, leading the market into a new phase of growth. Through initiatives such as TI’s Sensor Tag or Bluetooth SIG’s Bluetooth Developer Portal, developers will be able to quickly meet consumer demands for a wider variety of Bluetooth Smart apps and appcessories using Android 4.3.”

The six sensors integrated into the SensorTag, including TI's TMP006 non-contact IR temperature sensor, can be utilized in a wide variety of applications. Various apps can be developed for medical and fitness, educational tools, toys and remote control, and mobile phone accessories. All of these apps can be controlled via smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It offers over-the-air (OTA) download capabilities and works with TI's royalty-free BLE-Stack™ software, allowing for easy compatibility with end-product firmware updates. Furthermore, the CC2541-based SensorTag kit can be used with TI's CC2564 Bluetooth dual-mode solution and WiLink™ combo connectivity solution.

TI's Bluetooth Low Energy portfolio is built to meet the growing demand for Bluetooth Smart connectivity and supports multiple operating systems that support Bluetooth Smart Ready. (For more details on this, please refer to the latest post on TI's Connecting Wirelessly blog.)

Supply timing and price

You can download the SensorTag app for Android 4.3 for free from the TI website. This sensor tag kit (CC2541DK-SENSOR) is available for purchase at the TI eStore and authorized distributors for $25.

More detailed information on TI's Sensor Tag and Bluetooth Low Energy technology

· Development method using Bluetooth Smart for Android 4.3: www.ti.com/lprf-stdroid-pr-blog2

· TI's SensorTag Wiki: www.ti.com/lprf-stdroid-pr-wiki2

· TI's CC2541: www.ti.com/lprf-stdroid-pr-pf3

· Bluetooth Low Energy in the TI E2E™ Community: www.ti.com/lprf-stdroid-pr-e2e

· TI's Wireless Connectivity Newsletter: www.ti.com/wiconnewsletter-pr