Wireless USB Vs. Bluetooth

As the release date for Wireless USB draws ever closer, discussion is warming up round the emerging standard. Specifically, there's been plenty of debate regarding the advantages and disadvantages of Bluetooth versus Wireless USB. Both these standards offer particular benefits along with particular challenges, also it appears that both standards will undoubtedly be competing with one another for exactly the same manufacturer and consumer base. Let's examine the way the lines are increasingly being drawn.

Bluetooth came onto the wireless scene in-may of 1999. Initially produced by Ericsson, it had been quickly adopted by such companies as Microsoft, Apple, Motorola, and Toshiba. It has since turn into a major standard for wireless device connectivity. Using wide-band, low-power radio waves to transmit data over short distances, Bluetooth has been useful for wireless keyboards, mice, along with other peripherals, cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, plus some digital camera models. Concerning Bluetooth's popularity with cellular phone manufacturers specifically, among the great things about Bluetooth is that it includes a suprisingly low power consumption rate, particularly when it involves audio transmission. It has made Bluetooth the technology of preference for cellular phone manufacturers seeking to pair wireless headsets with their phones.

Despite widespread adoption by many manufacturers, Bluetooth has been suffering from some nagging problems. A significant complaint has been having less interoperability between different manufacturers' Bluetooth devices. For instance, utilizing a Motorola Bluetooth headset has difficulty being linked to an LG cellular phone. Security has been another major issue with Bluetooth-enabled devices. There were documented cases of device "hijackings" in which a third party has had control of these devices through the Bluetooth link. Problems with eavesdropping, data theft, and Bluetooth-spread viruses for PDAs, cellphones, and computers are also reported. These problems are increasingly being handled as new revisions of Bluetooth are released.

The creation of the Wireless USB Promoters Group was announced in February of 2004 at the Intel Developer Forum. This group, made up of such companies as Intel, Microsoft, NEC, HP and Samsung, is tasked with developing a wireless standard in line with the exceptionally popular USB standard with exactly the same kind of interoperability and convenience. If the forum flourish in their goal, Wireless USB could easily end up being the wireless de facto standard for UWB (ultra wideband) connectivity. The completion of the typical was announced in-may of 2005 and the initial Wireless USB products are slated to begin with appearing in early 2006, with a solid ramp in 2007.

There is not any doubt that the Wireless USB Promoters Group has examined Bluetooth and done its far better address the problems which have been problematic, such as for example interoperability and security. While there were delays because of testing and certification, Wireless USB looks to be superior in both security and simple connectivity. Where Bluetooth had compatibility issues between different developers' products, Wireless USB's adherence to the prior USB standards should serve to avoid similar problems. So far as security can be involved, Bluetooth depends upon a four-digit pin number to make sure that the right device has been linked to, while Wireless USB is considering utilizing a USB cable to help make the initial connection, and point these devices can be utilized wirelessly.

If Wireless USB can deliver everything it promises, especially with the popularity of another USB standards that it's predicated on and linked to, it'll easily end up being the primary connectivity standard in the PC, consumer electronic, and mobile communication industries. Bluetooth users shouldn't quit hope, however. Freescale Semiconducter, a UWB developer, has had the opportunity to utilize Bluetooth stacks to interpret UWB signals, demonstrating a merging of both technologies can be done. Before Wireless USB standard officially releases and products appear on shelves, all we are able to do is speculate, but also for all intents and purposes, Wireless USB is apparently another major part of the evolution of connectivity technology, also it may alter just how we use technology forever.