ROW International Briefs

Bluetooth and UWB begin combination discussionsCompanies representing Bluetooth and ultra-wideband wireless technologies have started discussions about developing a new technology combining both protocols. Earlier this month, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group announced that it began working with the WiMedia Alliance. Discussions with the WiMedia Alliance and the UWB Forum are still in early stages, and it’s unclear at this point whether any collaborative work will result in a cross-platform combining the two technologies. Both are considered cable replacement technologies with applications in the computer and consumer electronics markets. Many have speculated that UWB would win out in the home entertainment segment because of its higher data throughput rates. A major objective of the Bluetooth SIG, as stated by the group, would be to allow short-range communications compatibility between Bluetooth devices and those integrated with UWB. "UWB could replace the existing air interface used by Bluetooth for the purpose of drastically increasing the total bandwidth available for Bluetooth devices. At the same time, the Bluetooth profiles and network stacks could easily be used to limit the amount of development needed for new devices, since Bluetooth and UWB target the same market for short range cable replacement," ABI Research analyst Dan Benjamin said in a media alert. "The downside is that backwards compatibility will be limited." Youth driving Asian mobile data market: In-StatNew research from In-Stat indicates that the youth market is driving significant growth to Asian wireless operators’ mobile data growth. Between 10% to 15% of all disposable income for youths is now spent on mobile products, displacing traditional youth products such as cloths, toys and comic books. "In the Asia-Pacific region, spending by youth on mobile data services reached $15.2 billion in 2004, and the fastest growth rate for revenues is estimated at 15.3% annually from 2004 to 2010," reads a May 4 market alert. Messaging services will continue to be a primary driven behind youth spending with it making up 40.3% of Asian youth data expenditures in 2004. Verizon turns off free Wi-Fi service in New YorkVerizon Communications will turn off free Wi-Fi service in New York City as the company’s wireless arm accelerates plans to deploy fee-based wireless Internet using its cellular network. The free service will be phased out over the next two months. The company began offering the free service in May 2003 from Wi-Fi transmitters installed in hundreds of telephone booths. Its new for-pay wireless Internet service will be based on Ev-DO technology, and could subscribers upwards of $80 per month for service. Microsoft unveils mobile OSMicrosoft Corp. has introduced Windows Mobile 5.0, a new version of its mobile operating system to be used in Pocket PC devices and smartphones. The company has also eliminated distinct brands for each product line, marking an about-face in marketing strategy. Microsoft has also added support to the new mobile operating system for internal hard drives, allowing device makers to design devices to compete with Apple’s iPod, for example. Nokia to release specifications for mobile TV handsetsNokia Corp. plans to release the technical specifications of its mobile TV system in a move to help service providers offer subscribers the ability to watch TV on their handsets. The mobile TV specifications are based on digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H) and they will determine how mobile TV devices interconnect with the network. One billion workers to have high-speed accessAn executive with Intel Corp. proclaimed at Interop Conference and Expo that one billion workers will have high-speed access from mobile devices over the next few years. Sean Maloney, executive VP and GM of Intel’s mobility group, says this is because of the emergence of WiMAX and third-generation wireless technologies, as well as the proliferation of Wi-Fi.

ROW International Briefs

News | 05/17/2005 4:00 am EDT

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