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