Palm Releases Beta of Bluetooth SDK

Posted By: Ed Monday, January 14, 2002 8:55:33 AM

Palm, Inc. introduced early this morning a beta version of its Bluetooth Software Developer Kit (SDK). This will help developers to create applications that use this short-range wireless standard. The SDK has recieved approval from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) as being compliant with the Bluetooth 1.1 specification. Palm also announced it is working with top Bluetooth hardware manufacturers, including Red-M, Northstar Systems and TDK Systems, to provide compatible hardware development kits.

The new beta version of the Palm Bluetooth SDK is available to Palm OS developers for free download at PalmOS.com. The SDK download offers a complete Bluetooth software solution, including the certified Palm Bluetooth 1.1 compatible stack, Palm Bluetooth API, configuration tools, documentation and sample code.

It is also offering the Palm's SDIO Bluetooth Hardware Development Kit (HDK) This contains two Palm SDIO Bluetooth Cards, a Palm Universal Connector serial cradle, and SDIO drivers, and is available for $200 worldwide through Palm's PluggedIn Program Expansion Parts Store.

The PluggedIn Program is a developer resource for Palm expansion solutions including Bluetooth. Developers need to join the free program and get approval from Palm in order to access the Expansion Parts Store.

Palm hasn't exactly bet the farm on Bluetooth but they have committed a great deal of time and effort to it. They plan to release the Bluetooth SD card to consumers in the near future and Palm-branded handhelds later this year with Bluetooth built in.

Just last week, the company announced that it had chosen Broadcom to supply Bluetooth chips for its next-generation handhelds.

About Bluetooth
Bluetooth is the name of a short-range radio frequency (RF) technology that replaces cables. Bluetooth allows computers, peripherals, and other devices to communicate with each other without having a physical connection, or direct line-of-sight with each other, and without needing extra communication protocols. Bluetooth technology operates at 2.4 GHz and is capable of transmitting voice and data. The effective range of Bluetooth devices is 32 feet (10 meters). Bluetooth transfers data at the rate of 1 Mbps, which is from three to eight times the average speed of parallel and serial ports, respectively. Bluetooth technology allows users to create a PAN (Personal Area Network) in which they can synchronize data with handhelds and PCs, and access data and E-mail on handhelds remotely with the use of a Bluetooth enabled cellular phone.

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Palm To Give Handhelds Extra (Blue)Teeth

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 10:39:49 AM #
Palm To Give Handhelds Extra Teeth

http://wireless.newsfactor.com/perl/printer/15737/


RE: Palm To Give Handhelds Extra (Blue)Teeth
Ed @ 1/14/2002 10:53:07 AM #
Please do not post the entire contents of copyrighted articles. You just make me take the time to replace what you've posted with a link. If I can't find a link, I have to delete your post. If you'd like to post link to the ones I had to remove, please do so. Summaries and short quotes are also good.

Also, this particular one isn't new. We covered the deal with Broadcom last week and was even mentioned in this article. There's a link at the end.

---
News Editor

RE: Palm To Give Handhelds Extra (Blue)Teeth
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 11:29:07 AM #
Sorry Ed.

RE: Palm To Give Handhelds Extra (Blue)Teeth
Ed @ 1/14/2002 11:31:28 AM #
Sorry, I kinda slapped you down, which I feel bad about, but I have to follow that wacky law thing. Anyway, thanks for reposting the links to the articles. They really are interesting and useful.

-Ed

---
News Editor

Palm uses XTND Bluetooth Software on any Palm device
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/15/2002 6:56:01 AM #
Check Extended Systems Bluetooth Embedded SDK pdf file for more info on the Palm Bluetooth SDK.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M22412E4

Extended Systems Bluetooth Press Releases
http://makeashorterlink.com/?R13421E4

Palm uses XTND Bluetooth Software on any Palm device regardless of CPU or radio H/W (see pdf; Silicon Wave, TI, Ericsson, Infineon, CSR)

Extended Systems (already a Bluetooth Partner of Broadcom) is working very closely with Broadcom to have there Software work on Broadcoms Embedded and WIN OS specific radio H/W.

XTND has more then 120 Bluetooth SDK wins already: Extended Systems has licensed its Bluetooth software development kits to more than 120 companies for implementation in next-generation products. Customers include Palm, 3Com, Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, Fujitsu, FlashPoint, Xircom, Red-M, Nissin, Taiyo Yuden, NEC, Mitsubishi (TRIUM, France), Crossbow, and Visteon, just to name a few.

Products that utilize Extended Systems' protocol software include:

-NEC's connectBlue serial port printer adapter and AtermITX92BT ISDN terminal adapter
-Red-M's 3000AS access server, 1000AP access point, Bluetooth clip-on adapter for the Palm Vx, Bluetooth Module for Visor and Red-Ms Geno Software (802.11 and Bluetooth)
http://www.red-m.com/genos/Default.asp
-3Com's Wireless Bluetooth PCMCIA card
-Pico Communications' PicoBlue access point
-Primax's Blueport access point and wireless modem.
-Palm Bluetooth SDK
-AmbiCom's PC and CF Card solutions
-3Com Bluetooth USB Adapter
....just to name a few

Very interesting Bluetooth Demonstration by 3COM
http://www.3com.com/other/metafiles/infra/corpinfo/en_US/kolsen080701.ram (Real Audio)

Broadcom can produce chips for less than $5
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/15/2002 7:26:54 AM #
Broadcom breaks the $5 Bluetooth barrier
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t294-s2096044,00.html

Over 30 Mln. Bluetooth Module Units Expected to Ship

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 11:22:24 AM #
Over 30 Mln. Bluetooth Module Units Expected to be Shipped in 2002
http://www.nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com/wcs/leaf?CID=onair/asabt/news/163957

NYTimes on Palm and Bluetooth
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/15/2002 6:47:38 AM #
Palm Acts to Help Advance Technology on Wireless Links
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/15/technology/15PALM.html?todaysheadlines

Bluetooth settling into comfortable niche

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 11:24:32 AM #
Bluetooth settling into comfortable niche
http://www.ebnonline.com/story/OEG20020110S0082



RE: Bluetooth settling into comfortable niche
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 12:06:16 PM #
That is a nice, short, to-the-point article that describes all that I like about Bluetooth. A low cost, low power, wireless solution that eliminates line of sight issues.

When we start seeing Bluetooth built-in to various devices, it is going to provide all kinds of neat ad-hoc setups.

My only fear is still that is runs on the same frequency as 802.11b. I can just see the network management folks in this building saying that Bluetooth devices are not allowed for that reason.


RE: Bluetooth settling into comfortable niche
sir_tez @ 1/14/2002 6:31:17 PM #
Actually, they've tested Bluetooth and 802.11b running together and due to their adaptive frequency jumping and synchronization schemes there've been no problems whatsoever. I can't remember the exact link but I'm sure I read the info from here.
-----
Sir-Tez

Sir Tez
IT is a rough life
RE: Bluetooth settling into comfortable niche
Xian @ 1/14/2002 7:14:22 PM #
I actually have in my home, a 802.11b network running as well as using my Bluetooth'd T29 World phone with my laptop. I'm encountering no problems, and my laptop has my Xircom BT card right under my 802.11b card.

RE: Bluetooth settling into comfortable niche
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 7:44:08 PM #
I have a Netgear 802.11 base station and a T39 phone, plus a Bluemod (www.hcvwireless.com) plus a few other undisclosed bit and pieces... all works great together... :-)

Bluetooth Interest Heightened

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 11:26:51 AM #
Bluetooth Interest Heightened
http://www.anywhereyougo.com/bluetooth/Article.po?id=1099488

i705 Bluetooth enabled?

Foo @ 1/14/2002 10:07:51 PM #
If Palm is pushing Bluetooth such as it is, I suspect that the upcoming i705 is going to have Bluetooth built-in. This may also explain why the device was delayed.

RE: i705 Bluetooth enabled?
I.M. Anonymous @ 1/14/2002 10:24:00 PM #
heh, doubt that very much.

RE: i705 Bluetooth enabled?
Hed @ 1/15/2002 12:21:25 AM #
Foo Fighter! Is that you over on the 'Buzz forums? If only this rumor were true. If it is, then that would hopefully mean that Palm is back in the saddle (of innovation, that is).

I want my bluetooth

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/15/2002 1:29:20 AM #
I'm sick of waiting for Palm to launch the Bluetooth product. I've seen the pics of the SD card... now when are they going to come with the product? The idea of hotsyncing without using the cradel is very attractive to me and I'd love it if the palm would talk to an Ericsson T68 or whatever to help me get on the net... when is it coming???

Sony Bluetooth Module

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/15/2002 9:36:17 PM #
When are Sony going to get off their backsides and release the Bluetooth clip-on module for Clie (PEGA-N700) outside of Japan. Do they think the rest of us won't use Bluetooth?

I was going to wait for the "InfoStick" Bluetooth Memory Stick but would prefer the clip-on module as it keeps the Memory Stick slot free (Even though the module is a bit chunky). Even the Bluetooth Memory Stick was announced over a year ago...

Ben Starr

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