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