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Article #233: Wireless USB Vs. Bluetooth: Battle Royale

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As the release date for Wireless USB taken control of the device through the
draws ever closer, discussion is heating Bluetooth link. Issues with
up around the emerging standard. In eavesdropping, data theft, and
particular, there has been a lot of Bluetooth-spread viruses for PDAs,
debate concerning the pros and cons of cellphones, and computers have also been
Bluetooth versus Wireless USB. Both of reported. These problems are being dealt
these standards offer particular benefits with as new revisions of Bluetooth are
as well as particular challenges, and it released.
appears that both standards will be The creation of the Wireless USB
competing with each other for the same Promoters Group was announced in February
manufacturer and consumer base. Let's of 2004 at the Intel Developer Forum.
examine how the lines are being drawn. This group, composed of such companies as
Bluetooth came onto the wireless scene in Intel, Microsoft, NEC, HP and Samsung, is
May of 1999. Initially developed by tasked with creating a wireless standard
Ericsson, it was quickly adopted by such based on the exceptionally popular USB
companies as Microsoft, Apple, Motorola, standard with the same type of
and Toshiba. It has since become a major interoperability and simplicity of use.
standard for wireless device Should the forum succeed in their goal,
connectivity. Using wide-band, low-power Wireless USB could easily become the
radio waves to transmit data over short wireless de facto standard for UWB (ultra
distances, Bluetooth has been used for wideband) connectivity. The completion of
wireless keyboards, mice, and other the standard was announced in May of 2005
peripherals, cellular phones, PDAs, MP3 and the first Wireless USB products are
players, and some digital cameras. slated to begin appearing in early 2006,
Concerning Bluetooth's popularity with with a strong ramp in 2007.
cell phone manufacturers in particular, There is no doubt that the Wireless USB
one of the benefits of Bluetooth is that Promoters Group has examined Bluetooth
it has a very low power consumption rate, and done its best to address the issues
especially when it comes to audio that have been problematic, such as
transmission. This has made Bluetooth the interoperability and security. While
technology of choice for cell phone there have been delays due to testing and
manufacturers looking to pair wireless certification, Wireless USB looks to be
headsets to their phones. superior in both security and ease of
Despite widespread adoption by many connectivity. Where Bluetooth had
manufacturers, Bluetooth has been plagued compatibility issues between different
by some nagging problems. A major developers' products, Wireless USB's
complaint has been the lack of adherence to the previous USB standards
interoperability between different should serve to prevent similar problems.
manufacturers' Bluetooth devices. For As far as security is concerned,
example, using a Motorola Bluetooth Bluetooth depends on a four-digit pin
headset has difficulty being connected number to ensure that the correct device
with an LG cell phone. Security has been is being connected to, while Wireless USB
another major issue with is looking at using a USB cable to make
Bluetooth-enabled devices. There have the initial connection, after which point
been documented instances of device the device can be used wirelessly.
"hijackings" where a third party has






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