Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corporation announced they are developing a road map to provide native support of the Bluetooth wireless technology for the Microsoft Windows operating system during the first half of 2001. The companies are also working on a standard method for PC platforms to interface with the Bluetooth technology that the PC industry can implement in their products.
Intel is currently developing the initial Bluetooth software, which will enable early adopters to deliver products to the marketplace. Intel and Microsoft will also be working with the industry to help deliver new solutions to customers when the Microsoft implementation becomes available.
"Intel is committed to providing a robust hardware and software solution to enable initial applications that support the Bluetooth wireless technology," said Steve Nossel, Country Manager for Intel South Africa. "By working with Microsoft and major PC manufacturers to develop a detailed road map for native integration of the technology into the PC platform before it is available, we are helping to ensure the success of the Bluetooth technology."
"Establishing an early road map with Intel and the Bluetooth technology industry will ensure that end users have the best possible Bluetooth experience on Windows-based PC systems, "said Cyril Belikoff, Network Solutions Group Manager at Microsoft South Africa. "By looking to the industry to provide us with production-class Bluetooth products, Microsoft will be able to provide a true plug- and- play user experience for our customers in the first half of 2001 by implementing an architecture based on the WinSock programming model."
Near-Term Intel Solution for Bluetooth Wireless Technology
The Intel Bluetooth development team has been a driving force behind the 1.0 Bluetooth Specification. The company has also developed Bluetooth software code that complies with the 1.0 Specification for Intel`s upcoming software suite. This Intel software suite will enable the first key Bluetooth scenarios such as wireless file transfer, synchronization between devices and dial-up networking. Intel is also developing an integrated hardware and software solution to enable mobile PC platforms with the Bluetooth wireless capability. This solution meets the 1.0 specification, is compatible with Windows 98 and Windows 2000, and will be available worldwide later this year.
Native Microsoft Bluetooth Solution
As announced at the Windows Hardware and Engineering Conference in April, Microsoft will be providing hardware and software support for Bluetooth hardware designs and applications that will take advantage of Bluetooth wireless technology. The solution will support the initial Bluetooth usage scenarios mentioned above, in addition to providing a more flexible architecture for the future. A key to delivering this support by the first half of 2001 is availability of production-quality Bluetooth hardware and software for development and testing in mid- to late 2000 that complies with the Microsoft solution.
PC Industry Working Together
Intel, Microsoft, IBM Corp. and Toshiba Corp. all hold Promoter group membership status within the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and are working together to define PC implementation for Bluetooth technology. The Bluetooth SIG currently consists of more than 2,000 member companies that are developing Bluetooth products. Intel and Microsoft encourage the PC industry to get involved with the development program as it evolves, to help ensure successful implementation.
"We believe that industry convergence is necessary to enable a unified Bluetooth end-user experience in the PC and Windows environments," said Fran O`Sullivan, vice president of Mobile Computing Development for IBM`s Personal Systems Group. "IBM is working proactively with Intel and Microsoft to facilitate Bluetooth development efforts including providing technical expertise and systems."
"As a world leader in mobility solutions, Toshiba will provide hardware systems necessary for the software development of Bluetooth wireless technology," said Steve Andler, vice president of marketing portables, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Computer Systems Group. "Working with Intel and Microsoft strengthens our commitment to the long-term success of Bluetooth and the ultimate deployment of a wireless future."
The Bluetooth wireless technology is set to revolutionize the personal connectivity market by providing freedom from wired connections. It is based on a public specification for a small-form factor, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable handheld devices, as well as to the Internet. The Bluetooth SIG, composed of leaders in the telecommunications, computing and network industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market.
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Intel
Intel Corporation is a leading building block supplier for the Internet economy. The world`s largest chipmaker, Intel is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking, and communication products. In the last several years, Intel has been embracing the Internet as a key technology to drive the evolution of personal computing. Intel has reorganised its internal and external processes around Internet. Intel has been working with the major solution providers world-wide to bring the benefits of Internet technology to its customers and gained extensive knowledge of the implications of Internet on future business models. Intel has been investing in more than 300 companies since 1997 to financially support new ventures and businesses focused on Internet. Intel has also launched and announced a number of services targeted to businesses and consumers, further distributing the benefits of new technologies to more users and enabling to drive new strategies through the new technologies.
Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom
Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.
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