FOR SOME TIME NOW, I have discussed with those in the industry the void of market movement in the 56K Bluetooth modem space. So for that reason, it was especially positive to see that there were beginning signs for such products at the recent Blue-tooth Congress 2002. Two were shown at the CSR and Zeevo booths. It is looking like dial-up Bluetooth access points (AP) could be under the Christmas tree this year for the North American market.

The dial-up Bluetooth ALP will address the mass consumer market that does not want to spend $45 to $55 per month on a continual basis for broadband but is willing to spend a reasonable, onetime outlay for the benefits of untethered surfing and printing from their couch without installing a WLAN home network. If advertised and marketed aggressively enough, this could help to increase consumers’ knowledge of the benefits of products that offer Bluetooth cordless functionality then translate that knowledge into revenue. If not advertised and promoted effectively, these products could be slow to take off.

A greater level of consumer awareness of what Bluetooth is and what benefits it offers is the key to unlocking the box of consumer demand. Though knowledge is increasing, the low level of familiarity of Bluetooth by the average consumer is ensuring that mobile phone operators are still not feeling the consumer demand for Bluetooth-enabled handsets. Nokia and Motorola are very common phones in the United States, but Ericsson is not. Sony Ericsson has been the most aggressive Bluetooth-enabled handset manufacturer to date, but there has not been a significant push or driver thus far in the United States.

Since operators subsidize so many phones, it is necessary for them to see some benefit to offering Bluetooth-enabled phones to their subscribers. So they need to reap a return in terms of customer loyalty (for lower churn), obtaining new subscribers, or revenue. Driver safety alone could be a significant trump card in offering subscribers additional benefits. If operators begin to bundle mobile phones and Bluetooth headsets in an aggressive manner, in conjunction with a marketing campaign targeting hands-free use in vehicles for safety, demand could increase quickly.

On the acquisition front, comments were recently flying around regarding the acquisition of Ericsson Microelectronics by Infineon Technologies. The deal is expected to close in about two months. Infineon gains the module business via Ericsson, inroads to supplying semiconductors into wireless infrastructure and a supplementary customer list. Previously, STMicroelectronics began its acquisition of the wireline and wireless groups of Alcatel Microelectronics, while American Microsystems Inc. began its acquisition of Alcatel Micro’s mixed signal group. The acquisitions of Ericsson Microelectronics and Alcatel Microelectronics do not directly affect current market shares of Bluetooth chipsets.

Recent announcements by Texas Instruments for a $4 (BOM) Bluetooth solution via a ROM-based single chip and by Infineon Technologies for sub-$3.75 pricing (both high volumes) have set a new bar. Both use leading 0.13-micron RE CMOS processes, and volume production is planned for Q12003. Philips Semiconductors announced an affiance with Ericsson Technology Licensing for audio/video solutions. For space-constrained applications, Motorola will go into production in Q4 with a stacked chipset die solution in a 7mm-by-7mm-by-1.6mm BGA package. The price will be the same for the company’s separate radio and baseband.

Coexistence solutions were demonstrated by Silicon Wave (Blue802) and Zeevo (alternate wireless media access, or AWMA). Neither is based on the not-yet-finalized adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) scheme. These mechanisms are geared especially toward the PC market since the front-end can get overloaded in co-located situations (such as a laptop), which can still present a problem with AFH. The first coexistence solutions to hit the shelves are expected in the next six to nine months.

In-Stat/MDR estimates Bluetooth chipset shipments will climb from 10.4 million units in 2001 to 48 million this year, growing to 150 million in 2003.

Joyce Putcher is director and principal analyst of InStat/MDR’s Converging Markets & Technologies Group. She can be reached at jputscher@instat.com. InStat/MDR owned by Reed Business Information, the parent company of Electronic News.

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Bluetooth Makes it Easy for All Your Devices and Accessories to Work Together

Bluetooth is one of the latest marketing buzzwords for PDAs and cellular phones, along with PCs and especially laptops. It is a wireless technology designed to let products and accessories built by different manufacturers work together, without requiring special access codes or driver installation. Theoretically, any Bluetooth accessory should work with any Bluetooth-enabled device, and multiple accessories working with the same device shouldn’t interfere with each other.

For example, if you pick up a Bluetooth headset for your current PDA, and then in a year’s time replace it with a new PDA, the headset should work with the new PDA without any difficulties. With some older PDA Bluetooth accessories and devices, this is not always the case, but generally the more recent the design of the accessory or device, the more likely it is to work with other Bluetooth products.

PDAs, Cellular Phones, and Computers

New PDAs today resemble cellular phones as much as classic PDAs like the Palm Pilot. Most of these devices are Bluetooth-enabled, and even have the capability to link with other Bluetooth-enabled PDAs and cellular phones to exchange data. For models that are not Bluetooth-enabled, there are frequently PDA Bluetooth accessories available that will add Bluetooth capabilities to the unit. Bluetooth adapters are also available for PCs and laptops, usually plugging into a USB port, allowing you to easily exchange data between your computer and your PDA.

Just about any type of data can be transferred over a Bluetooth link, from electronic business cards and pictures to word processing documents and PowerPoint presentations. For transferring data from a PDA to a computer, special software is often needed and included with the Bluetooth adapter. However, PDAs running Windows Mobile can communicate natively with computers running Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista.

Having a Bluetooth PDA and a Bluetooth adapter for your computer can eliminate the need for a docking station or sync cable, removing one more piece of clutter from your desktop. You can even set the two devices up so they automatically synchronize their data when they’re in range of each other.

Other PDA Bluetooth Accessories

Headphones and headsets are the most common PDA Bluetooth accessories right now. Wireless headphones are great if your PDA has music stored on it, because you don’t have an unsightly wire running from your head to your pocket or purse. Headsets and earpieces allow hands-free operation of your cell phone or smart phone, which is not only convenient but is also quickly becoming a legal requirement world-wide for using your phone in your car.

Printer manufacturers are quickly adding Bluetooth capabilities to their products, turning them into convenient PDA Bluetooth accessories. Previously, to print something stored on your PDA, you had to use the docking station or sync cable to download the information to your computer, then print it from the computer. With a Bluetooth-enabled printer, you can send your data directly to the printer without the intervening steps. If your computer is also Bluetooth-enabled, it can send data to the printer as well, eliminating the need to hook up the printer to the computer or network.

There are many other PDA Bluetooth accessories available for your PDA, and with Bluetooth it doesn’t matter who manufactures either the device or the accessory. A Motorola headset will work with an iPhone, and a Palm Tungsten can print spreadsheets on a HP LaserJet. Manufacturers are constantly coming up with new PDA Bluetooth accessories to meet the demands of consumers. Bluetooth technology is making it easier for everyone to communicate.

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Adoption of Bluetooth wireless technology has made great strides in the last few years. One of the biggest steps forward-the standardization of Java APIs for Bluetooth wireless technology (JABWT)-is explained in detail in this book. The JABWT standard, defined by the JSR-82 specification, supports rapid development of Bluetooth applications that are portable, secure, and highly-usable. Wireless device manufacturers have responded to the JABWT specification by announcing mobile phones and other products that will run JABWT applications. Bluetooth Application Programming with the Java APIs explains in detail how to write Bluetooth applications using the Java APIs to exploit the power of both technologies. Written by the specification lead for JSR-82 and two other key participants in the definition of JABWT, this book provides the authoritative explanations and concrete examples you need to get started right away.

About the Authors

C Bala Kumar is a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at Motorola. He chaired the industry expert group that defined the Java APIs for Bluetooth wireless technology. He currently leads the systems software team for wireless platforms in Motorola’s Semiconductor Products Sector. Paul J. Kline is a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at Motorola and the maintenance lead for the JABWT specification. He currently works on the System Software Architecture team in Motorola’s Semiconductor Products Sector. Timothy J. Thompson is a Senior Software Engineer on the System Software Architecture team in Motorola’s Semiconductor Products Sector. He was the OBEX architect on the JABWT specification team at Motorola.

* Written by experts-the authors led the industry team that defined the JABWT standard and the Motorola team that developed the first JABWT implementation
* Covers JABWT in depth and goes beyond the specification to explain how to use the standard effectively
* A helpful resource both to Java programmers interested in Bluetooth wireless technology and to business managers interested in its potential for creating new business opportunities
* Digs deeply into the programming areas you must master to successfully design and build JABWT applications, including RFCOMM, OBEX, device discovery, service discovery, and L2CAP
* Details the real-world issues involved in programming Bluetooth devices and implementing the JABWT specification
* Organized into sections that explicitly address the different needs of programmers, business managers, and project managers

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• Enjoy hands-free communication on long road trips with this Motorola H670 Bluetooth headset with car charger
• Headset is designed to work with all Motorola Bluetooth v2.0 phones
• Cellular phone accessory is convenient and comfortable
• Also compatible with headset and hands-free profiles (backward compatible with Bluetooth? v1.1 and v1.2)
• Delivers maximum comfort and wearability with the very latest unobtrusive design
• Interchangeable hooks and lightweight for your ear
• Battery performance of up to 8 hours talk time or up to 200 hours standby
• Class 2 offers a wireless connection up to 10 meters (33 feet)
• Intuitive, easy to use controls
• Charge time is approximately less than 2 hours
• EMU (mini USB) connector
• Mute and 3-way calling
• Sliding on/off switch

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Navigation system for your smart phone to find your way without missing a call

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ulliStylish and portable cell phone accessory for home or officeliDesigned to charge your headset’s battery in approximately two to three hoursliSimply plug it into any AC power outlet and connect it to your headsetliSmall lightweight design and sleek appearance/ul

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ulliTake a step towards success with a hands-free deviceliCell phone accessory puts you in controlliHands-free device works with any Bluetooth-enabled cell phoneliHeadset offers latest Bluetooth version 2.0 technologyliEnhanced Data Rate (EDR) for faster pairing and connection, improved call quality, and lower power consumption liCompatible with Bluetooth version 1.2 and 1.1 devices liPower consumption: 7 hours talk time, 150 hours standby time liLightweight headset has a range of up to 33 feet liUnidirectional microphone allows for clear conversations in noisy environments liErgonomic earpiece can be worn on either ear li.One-touch controlliAC wall charger and car charger included/ul

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brulliMotorola H605 Bluetooth headset puts wireless connectivity at your fingertips liCell phone accessory features intuitive, easy to use controls lIEarpiece includes 2 buttons to control volume and microphone muteliCall button to handle incoming and outgoing calls lIBluetooth Class 2 lets you continue talking at your own pace for up to 30 feet away from your compatible Bluetooth enabled mobile phone liUp to approximately 10 hours talk time or 200 hours standby timeliBehind-the-ear headset designliAdjustable speaker ? tilts rotateslIIntuitive, easy to use controlsli2 buttons to control volume and microphone muteli1 call button to handle incoming and outgoing callslISoft touch material rests on the ear to provide longer wearing comfortlIMicrophone muteliGlowing blue indicator light (with option to disable)liCompatible with any brand of Bluetooth 1.1 or 1.2-enabled phone or device that supports ‘headset’ and ‘hands-free’ profiles/ul

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Features : Original Motorola H500 Universal bluetooth Headset. Compatible with all bluetooth enabled cell phones, PDA and other devices. An adjustable earhook allows the headset to be worn on either the left or right ear. Intuitive, easy to use controls. Simply press the multifunction button, place the headset on your ear and a link is automatically established (must pair the heaset with your phone the first time it is used). The multifunction button allows you to place, receive or end calls, all with the push of a button. Easily adjust the volume and mute your call from the headset. 2 volume buttons. Call button to handle incoming and outgoing calls. Compact size and lightweight, easy storage when not in use. Comfortable design. Specifications: Up to approximately 8 hours talk time or up to approximately 200 hours standby time. Size : 2.28 in. x 1.06 in. (2.09 in. including earhook) x 0.87 in. Weight : 0.55 ounces. 140 mAh battery. Charge time is EMU connector. Bluetooth Class 2 offers a wireless connection up to 30 feet. Bluetooth 1.2 offers better call quality with less interference and faster connections. Package Includes : Bluetooth H500 Headset (Silver). AC Travel Charger. User manual.

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ulliKeep in touch with friends, colleagues and family with this Bluetooth wireless headsetliHands-free device fits snugly and securely in your ear for clear audio receptionliWireless headset is ergonomically designed and user friendly liCompatible with most Bluetooth-enabled cell phonesliEasyPair technology creates a quick and simple connection to your cell phoneliTrueComfort design offers a comfortable fit in your earliDedicated on/off buttons allows for convenient operationliUp to six hours of talk time and up to 200 hours of standby timeliIncludes an owner’s manual and charger/ul

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