ARM joins in Bluetooth initiative

ARM has joined the 'Bluetooth' wireless technology initiative and says it will start to design intellectual property that implements the Bluetooth specification, which is currently under development. What this might be is an interesting topic; when Bluetooth started up the founders divvied-up the responsibilities between them, with Intel "contributing its advanced chip and software expertise." So Bluetooth already has a lead member in ARM's department. Intel is however now, after a slow start, a strong supporter of StrongARM. It took over Digital's ARM licence, and now promises new products for 1999 - so we figure deals within deals, and increased ARM-Intel co-operation behind the scenes. The Bluetooth initiative was kicked off earlier this year by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba and is intended to develop standards for seamless voice and data transmission via short-range wireless links. This is going to be particularly useful for the exchange of data between mobile devices and appliances, and as a the company is leader in this area ARM's support is important. Around 90 companies are now members of Bluetooth. Said Pete Magowan, who we believe is vice president of ARM Europe and not Vice President of Europe, as claimed in the ARM release: "The global standard for wireless connectivity that Bluetooth provides will dramatically change the way wireless information devices and other computing devices communicate with each other. ARM believes the Bluetooth initiative is a significant milestone in the mobile communications industry." Bluetooth will operate on the 2.45 GHz ISM 'free band,' which is available globally and which therefore will (at least in theory) allow Bluetooth-enabled equipment to be used world-wide. ®