Article

Where there's not a wire, there's a way

Advances in wireless communications, such as Bluetooth technology, are making thousands of new applications possible.

April 4, 2002

It hasn't been that long ago that cable companies provided customers set-top boxes necessary for changing channels. These boxes had wires attached, connecting the box to the TV, and the wires were made long enough to reach from the TV to the recliner in most American living rooms.

Now the wires have disappeared, and remote controls produce signals strong enough to operate a dozen entertainment devices at once. It is hard to tell what's next on the technological horizon, but the buzz on Bluetooth is picking up steam.

Bluetooth is a technology standard based on wireless communication via radio frequencies. The technology allows wireless communication between electronic equipment, such as PDAs, laptops, mobile phones and PCs. Information can be distributed from one device to another using Bluetooth technology, all without wires.

Ultimately, it could eliminate the need for wires in offices, such as those from computer to printers. Thousands of applications are in various stages of development.

What follows are some of the most promising aspects of the Bluetooth boom.

Developers Corner

Axis Communications  has developed a Bluetooth driver for Linux that can be used both in its Linux/ETRAX port as well as on an ordinary Linux PC. Axis is using this software in its Bluetooth Access Point product. The software creates local hot spots of high-speed wireless connectivity. These areas provide a wireless communications link to local networks and the Internet for Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices. All code is released under the GPL (GNU General Public License).

Features of the Access Point include:

Applications Corner

It may not be long before Bluetooth access points are available in all sorts of public places, including offices, airports, hotels and stores. Here's a few scenarios that may quickly become reality.

• At the Office

Imagine arriving at your office minutes before an important client meeting, and you have to go straight to the conference room for the meeting. Because the BluetoothAccess Point gives you immediate wireless access to the LAN, you quickly download an updated presentation to your laptop. The prospect is delayed, so while you wait in the conference room, you check e-mail, review today's related market news on the web, and edit a proposal draft. When the client arrives, she uses her mobile phone to make an urgent call overseas at a nominal cost because it routes automatically through your company's IP telephony service. The meeting yields success and the two of you start collaborating on finalizing the proposal. She wirelessly accesses her secure e-mail server and distributes the document to her key contacts for feedback.

• In the hotel

As you check into your hotel, you avoid the long lines at the front desk by confirming your reservation on your PDA. The hotel transmits a code to your PDA that serves as your room "key" that unlocks your door as you approach. In your room, your mobile devices use your hotel room's BluetoothAccess Point to check into the office-retrieving e-mail, voicemail and accessing corporate Intranet services-all with broadband speed. Throughout the hotel, phone calls may automatically be routed to your mobile phone using Voice over IP (VoIP), providing one number simplicity and charges that are much lower than the regular call charges. During the meeting, you wirelessly access services in the business center. After closing the deal, you change your flight arrangements as you lounge poolside. To check out, you review room charges on your PDA, confirm them, and walk outside to a waiting taxi, which was ordered during your remote checkout.

• In the store

You walk into a large furniture store and your PDA starts communication with one of the store's BluetoothAccess Points, providing information about the store layout and special sales promotions. As you walk down the aisle, your PDA displays useful information about products as you approach them. You locate the item you came for-a couch-and find out immediately if the desired style, color and fabric is in stock and delivery options. On your prompting, the store suggests accessories with promotional discounts. You make the purchase on the spot, scheduling delivery and avoiding the wait for a cashier. You pick up the vase and pillows you purchased, which are waiting for you as you leave the store.

• At the airport

As you approach the baggage check-in counter outside the terminal, your mobile device begins receiving flight information from one of the airline's BluetoothAccess Points. After checking in, your device displays the departure status, gate information, seat assignments and claim check numbers for your bags. Upon entering the airline's business lounge, you are given instant high-speed wireless access to the local network, so you check e-mail, browse news updates from your favorite Web site and make dinner reservations at a restaurant in your destination city. You continue working without

interruption as you switch to a more comfortable chair across the room. As you sit down, you receive an alert that your flight has been delayed 30 minutes, as well as confirmation of your requested upgrade. You reply with an acknowledgment and make your First Class meal and wine selection.

Everywhere

When one Bluetooth product comes within range of another (this distance can be set up to 10 meters) they may automatically exchange information with one another. They can then establish a one megabit link with security and error correction.

Theoretically,up to eight Bluetooth devices within a 10-meter range could communicate with each other at one time in what is called a Piconet. Up to 10 Piconets can overlap to form a Scatternet, linking 80 appliances.

Some history

Ericsson, the Swedish-based international telecommunications supplier, is the original developer of Bluetooth technology. Aware of the potential ramifications of the technology, and in an effort to create an international standard, Ericsson has given the technology specifications of Bluetooth to any company willing to use it to enhance their own products - royalty free.

Michelle French of Ericsson's media relations division said the company's goal is to promote wide use of the technology. "The first products to market with the Bluetooth technology are within the telecom and computing arena," she said. "Ericsson is concentrating on its mobile phone and PDA markets and using this new technology to enhance its telecom industry."

Meanwhile, Ericsson has helped organize the Special Interest Group (SIG) along with eight other founding partners, so that the Bluetooth technology can reach widespread markets and be used in a variety of applications, not just telecom.

The SIG consists of 3Com, Agere, IBM Corp., Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp., Motorola Inc., Toshiba Corp. and Nokia. These firms are working together to distribute the technology at no cost to any developer who sees a potential for Bluetooth applications. SIG's goal is to create new Bluetooth applications in many different areas. French said more than 2,000 members have joined the SIG. At the Bluetooth web site, there are explanations of current applications using the technology and other key information.

NCR Corp., a leading manufacturer of ATMs, is looking at ways to make its money machines adaptable as outlets for communications devices with Bluetooth. At the recent ATMIA Conference, NCR's Mel Walter said Bluetooth will enable a number of communications devices through the ATM.

NCR's interest in Bluetooth could help transform the ATM from a simple money-dispensing device to a fulfillment center for a wide variety of services.

Kiosk developers are actively researching wireless applications, according to Craig Keefner, publisher of kiosks.org, a leading industry trade organization.

"If you think for a minute that the top kiosk developers don't have in-house initiatives going on with wireless, you're crazy," Keefner said. "There may be no practical deployments yet, but there's a lot of work in progress."