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03/01/2000
PC Dealer
Page 42
Copyright (C) 2000 VNU Business Publications Ltd.; Source: World Reporter (TM)
3Com has teamed up with US wireless solutions provider Extended Systems to develop 3rd generation PDA devices based on Bluetooth's wireless capabilities.
Extended Systems will provide the networking vendor with its XTNDAccess Blue SDK Bluetooth protocol stack for use in 3Com's Palm hand-held devices.
The Bluetooth radio-based standard is designed to interconnect PCs, mobile phones and other portable devices through short-wave radio signals, thereby doing away with wires. It will connect devices within 10 metres and is intended for use in offices initially.
The first Bluetooth products are expected in the autumn.
3Com is also joining a number of companies that anticipate a strong market for Bluetooth technology. Intel demonstrated its working Bluetooth protocol operating system at the Bluetooth Developers Conference in Los Angeles last December, while TDK Systems demonstrated its suite of Bluetooth wireless products at CeBIT in Germany last week. TDK's offerings include PC Card and compact Flash cards, USB adaptors and a Bluetooth LAN access kit for connections to an office or home network.
Notebook vendors are also joining the Bluetooth ranks. A representative of Toshiba said the company has developed a working Bluetooth protocol for notebooks, but has not set a release date.
Steve Parker, Bluetooth product line manager at 3Com, said the agreement will allow the vendor to build on its commitment to Bluetooth's wireless standard. "By combining forces with companies like Extended Systems , 3Com hopes to provide cordless connectivity to voice, data and e-business applications," he said.
Steve Simpson, chief executive at Extended Systems , said: "Together with our PC applications and hardware solutions, our protocol stacks fuel the growth of mobile information management by expanding wireless connectivity."
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