Convergence Plus Journal

SINGAPORE -- The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) recently unveiled a new 'five-minute ready' program created to challenge and guide Bluetooth product developers and manufacturers in the Asia Pacific region to deliver devices that give consumers a "five-minute out-of-the-box experience." Convergence Plus met up with Anders Edlund, marketing director for Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) Inc., in Singapore to find out more about this program and also discuss the various issues related with Bluetooth. Excerpts from the interview:

Convergence Plus: What are you aiming to achieve with the 'five-minute ready' program?

Anders Edlund: Used as a cable replacement technology, Bluetooth technology is about connecting mobile devices. It is moving into the consumer base as well. To make sure that the transition is smooth, we are doing things like design handbooks, qualifications programs, etc. The 'five-minute ready' program equips manufacturers and consumers in the Asia Pacific region with tools to meet the goal of delivering Bluetooth wireless devices that work together within five minutes of being taken out of the box.

CP: How did the Bluetooth segment perform in 2002?

AE: About 33mn units were shipped to the market during June to December 2002. The majority was used in mobile phones, such as those from Nokia and SonyEricsson, as well as in other devices such as PDAs, PCs, mice, headsets, etc. Some of the major analysts, such as frost & Sullivan, already see 100mn units shipping this year.

CP: Is it safe to say that Bluetooth has overcome its teething problems?

AE: People will always have doubts. There is no doubt that the technology will be very successful. It is important to have it in the WAN devices such as mobile phones, as well as other in other devices.

Though it basically started off as a cable replacement technology, there are other usage scenarios, such as access technologies, as well. For example, it is used in GPRS and WAP phones. However, finding the information using those phones is cumbersome. Using Bluetooth, we can push the menus to you and you can select your service, e.g., movies. It is a relatively complex technology. You also have to understand the profile -- it should be similar in multiple devices.

CP: Is there a Bluetooth chip that works in a point-to-multipoint environment and offers low power consumption for use in headsets?

AE: Majority of the chips today are working in the point-to-multipoint environment and offer power consumption. When you do the baseband functionality in the hardware, the power consumption is low.

CP: Are there system-on-chip (SoC) implementations that are driving chip prices to $5 or below?

AE: You can now buy chipsets for as low as $5 to drive volumes. In future, prices are likely to come down to $3. We feel that if chip prices come down to reasonable levels, this technology will take off. You do have to sign a licensing agreement for qualification and the use of the trade mark. There is no real differentiation now, except that there is more rigorous testing. Its is a vendor's lookout whether it wants to have a voice application or not.

CP: How does Bluetooth compare against Wi-Fi?

AE: These two are complementary standards. WiFi is an application for connecting PCs. Bluetooth is about connecting personal devices. Bluetooth helps in developing low cost and low power consuming devices.

CP: There were comments that Bluetooth and 802.11b were meandering in different directions. How do you see the situation now?

AE: Bluetooth is an IEEE 802.15 standard -- and that is the lower layer of the technology. We have Bluetooth that defines applications. Wi-Fi also defines certain applications. Bluetooth is extremely complementary to 802.11b. However, you must appreciate that 802.11b is for connecting networks, while Bluetooth is for connecting mobile devices for voice and data applications. But, you will need both the technologies in normal portable PCs.

CP: Do Bluetooth developers need to think through specific applications in a PAN?

AE: The personal area network (PAN) defines what should be developed. Bluetooth application developers need to think about the functionality. For example, today, the key functions would be connectivity, IP access through GPRS networking, etc. As an example, Toshiba has a microwave line driving Bluetooth. Therefore, medical applications become another area. Likewise, wireless terminals become yet another area as well. For example, a FedEx deliveryman can communicate using his Bluetooth device in his vehicle.

CP: Will text-to-speech and voice recognition create new opportunities for Bluetooth?

AE: Bluetooth will be incorporated into portable stereos as well. There are lot of interesting applications in voice recognition as well, for example, in entertainment and mobile gaming.

CP: Which class of Bluetooth devices are likely to become more popular?

AE: Class 2 devices will be the most popular. For example, having a longer range for certain applications will make more sense. You might want to have a longer range for a printer.

CP: When can we expect to see Bluetooth version 2?

AE: Bluetooth v1.2 will show up soon, actually within the next couple of months. However, version 2 will take a much longer time.

CP: What is happening in the high-rate Bluetooth front?

AE: We are currently working on several different things. There is an audio/video group as well. You need to wait till video profile is in the market. However, it will need a much higher bandwidth.

Anders Edlund, marketing director for Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) Inc.

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