Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DaveMG who wrote (17908)	11/6/1998 11:48:00 AM
From: DaveMG	Respond to of 152472

Bluetooth bites into wireless marketplace -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Robert Thompson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A group of major computer and telecommunications companies is preparing an open standard that could revolutionize the way laptops, palmtops and cellular phones process data. Bluetooth, the code name for the wireless initiative, is being developed by Intel, IBM, Toshiba, Ericsson and Nokia. The Bluetooth system works on a radio signal, which allows laptops and cellular phones with the Bluetooth hardware to connect to another device at a maximum speed of 721 Kbps, much faster than a standard 56K modem. In essence, the new technology is like having a radio built into a computer that allows the user to access different networks, as well as a cell phone. In this respect, Bluetooth should eliminate the problems of connecting laptops, cell phones and palmtops, most of which use proprietary interfaces, according to Simon Ellis, an Intel marketing manager for Bluetooth. "Bluetooth is going to define some standard mechanisms that will put telephone numbers between your computer and your phone," says Ellis. "You can schedule appointments that come in from e-mail, (they) would automatically be loaded into your computer. Further on in time, when there is an installed base of Bluetooth and Bluetooth access points, you'll be clearly able to have your mobile equipment connected. For example, in a hotel or airport, where there would be Bluetooth access, you'd be able to turn your computer on and get immediate access to the Internet or your e-mail. "It's the anywhere, anytime, seamless communication vision." However, the success of Bluetooth isn't assured. While the companies that are developing the technology have agreed to give up the rights to any patents on Bluetooth, it was precisely this move which appears to have discouraged Microsoft from getting involved. Ellis says the development of an open standard will play an important role when it comes time to involve other companies in Bluetooth. The specification is expected to close next year, with software and Bluetooth-powered units being offered in 1999. Ellis says the product should reach a broad base of customers by 2000. "The model is to get the bigger companies, with the biggest market share in the interested industries, like the mobile phone world and the computer world," he says. "We would like them to bring in their intellectual property and come up with a solution. We'll provide a mechanism for the industry to review the specification, but that spec will be in control of the key companies." But Barney Dewey, an analyst with the Brookdale, CA-based Andrew Seybold Consulting Group Inc., says it's important the companies involved in the development of Bluetooth follow through with the rollout of the product. "It's an exciting development - as long as it gets implemented," he says. "We've yet to see if they actually build it into their products. A lot of things get all hyped up and then the companies drop it if it doesn't turn out to be affordable." Dewey says mobile phone companies and computer OEMs are both extremely conscious of pricing concerns. If Bluetooth's cost is deemed to be too extreme, the project might not get their support. Ellis doesn't think that will happen though. He says the computer industry and mobile phone industry both have reasons to be pleased with the development of Bluetooth. "I think what's significant is that we want to come together. We have a problem that we want to solve that fits in with the desires of the phone world and the computing world," Ellis says. "The phone world sees integration with devices like computers can be very important in the integration of data, be it schedules or phone numbers. They see the marriage of mobile phones to computers as a means of keeping the business successful."

To: DaveMG who wrote (17908)	11/6/1998 12:47:00 PM
From: Mika Kukkanen	Respond to of 152472

DaveMG, That's correct, I have seen it (WCDMA) in action. As it stands, there is no "sexy" little PDA that we can dream of...it is demonstration of the air interface and so uses monitors (bit hard to carry in your pocket, eh?). When you use monitors for a demo you tend to forget that you are actually wireless, which was the whole point! It works though, which I suppose is their point (Internet access, packet switching, video etc.). Needless to say, even one test system that I know about is currently being upgraded to be more "user friendly" (read: sexier). That system will be on show soon and i await to be asked to see it. No matter your flavor of company, I don't want to see any individual "done" -even though I am pretty much a diehard Ericy/Nokia guy. Accumulate when you can, that even goes to Jacobs! ;-) Mika