Sunday, February 10, 2008

Wi-Fi Plus Bluetooth Coming in 2009

A new standard will allow Bluetooth devices to switch to Wi-Fi for file transfers if Wi-Fi is available, according to Michael Foley, director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. The new features should be available in 2009.

Bluetooth also is compatible with ultra-wideband technology, but Wi-Fi now is seen as important as well. It is expected that chip vendors will start putting both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions onto a single chip, instead of the separate approach now popular.

The combination devices will use the regular low-power Bluetooth radios to recognize each other and establish connections. If they need to transfer a large file, they will be able to turn on their Wi-Fi radios, then turn them off to save power after finishing the transfer, Foley says.

It's just one more detail for consumers to track.

No comments:

Will Robotaxi Business Models Beat Rideshare Models? The "Butterfly Effect" Might Matter

On the surface, given the role that worker compensation plays for just about any business, it might seem obvious that a robotaxi business wo...