New Broadcom(R) Bluetooth for Windows
Software Enables Enhanced Audio and Data Capabilities for Windows-Based PCs and Portable
Devices
TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 6 / / -- Computex 2007 -- Broadcom
Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless
communications, today announced a new version of its Bluetooth(R) for Windows (BTW)
software that provides advanced Bluetooth capabilities and enhanced connectivity between
Windows-based PCs and other Bluetooth devices. Announced today is the Broadcom(R) BTW
software (Version 6.1) that supports the Windows Vista(TM) operating system and enables
unique features that allow PC users to experience a variety of new wireless audio and
entertainment capabilities. As part of this new software upgrade, Broadcom also announced
that it has combined several versions of its Bluetooth software for portable devices under
the BTW-Mobile moniker.
Broadcom is the leading supplier of Bluetooth technology
for PCs, mobile phones and human interface device (HID) peripherals. To exemplify the
superior capabilities of its silicon solutions, Broadcom offers the industry's most
complete Bluetooth software and enables a wide variety of wireless devices to communicate
with one another and perform a range of wireless applications. Broadcom also provides the
industry's most extensive library of Bluetooth profiles that allows PC OEMs to offer the
features and applications that wireless-savvy consumers demand.
Broadcom's BTW 6.1 software works in conjunction with
Microsoft's Bluetooth software resident within the Vista operating system and adds the
audio drivers and Bluetooth profiles necessary for wireless voice and music applications.
Broadcom is one of the first vendors to deliver the headset and hands-free profile as well
as the advanced audio distribution profile for Vista systems. These sophisticated audio
profiles further enhance the Bluetooth user experience, providing consumers unique new
functionality, such as streaming stereo music to a wireless headset or controlling PC
music and VoIP functionality directly from the headset.
In addition to these new audio capabilities, Broadcom BTW
6.1 software offers new Bluetooth profiles for printing, digital imaging, file transfer
and file synchronization. By implementing these profiles, PC OEMs can offer better
wireless connectivity between PCs and a growing number of Bluetooth-enabled peripherals,
such as printers, digital cameras and media storage devices.
"Bluetooth has already achieved widespread adoption in
mobile phones, and the technology is making significant inroads into the notebook PC
market," said Celeste Crystal, Senior Analyst from IDC. "In 2006, over 25.8%(1)
of notebook PCs featured Bluetooth technology. As more PC users seek out wireless
capabilities for digital entertainment and communications applications, we expect the
Bluetooth penetration rate to continue to grow."
"Broadcom has built a reputation for delivering
superior Bluetooth silicon, but our unrivaled software portfolio is also largely
responsible for the success we've achieved with our PC and device manufacturing
customers," said Ron Wong, Senior Product Line Manager of Broadcom's Bluetooth
software products. "By continually providing our customers with the most innovative
Bluetooth software, we can easily allow them to differentiate their products and keep pace
with the growing demand for wireless features."
The newly-released BTW 6.1 software also includes a new
dial-up networking wizard that simplifies the process of connecting a notebook to the
Internet through a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. The wizard detects the network carrier,
the correct phone settings and automatically populates the information in the appropriate
screens. This provides mobile consumers with hassle-free connectivity in places without a
wired or Wi-Fi(R) connection.
BTW-Mobile Software Family for Portable Devices
Broadcom's new family of Bluetooth software for portable
devices (that are based on the Windows Mobile(R) 6.0 operating system), now designated as
the BTW-Mobile family, encompasses several previous versions of Broadcom's software
portfolio including BT-SP for smartphones, BTW-CE for consumer electronics and BT-PPC/PE
for pocket PCs. By aligning its software product names with the naming convention of
Microsoft's device operating systems, Broadcom is simplifying component selection and
product design for its customers.
In addition to a new name, Broadcom has updated its
BTW-Mobile software to extend the capabilities and improve wireless interactions between
Bluetooth-enabled phones, headsets and hands-free car kits. BTW-Mobile version 1.8 offers
several new Bluetooth profiles, including a phonebook access profile, synchronization
profile, SIM access profile and new hands-free profile -- providing device manufacturers
with additional opportunities to differentiate their products with Bluetooth
functionality.
Broadcom recently announced an expansion of its Taiwan
Cellular Design Center to accelerate development of smart phone products based on the
Windows Mobile operating system. With this expansion and the continued development of its
BTW-Mobile Bluetooth software, Broadcom remains the premier supplier of the key
technologies for advanced smart phone development.
Technical Details
Broadcom's BTW and BTW-Mobile software each includes
everything OEMs need to add Bluetooth technology to a device including the Bluetooth
protocol stack, device drivers, an integrated user interface, application programming
interfaces (APIs), support and test tools and documentation. Both software offerings
support Broadcom's extensive library of Bluetooth profiles, providing OEMs with a complete
software solution that streamlines the integration and use of Bluetooth technology.
Availability
BTW version 6.1 and BTW-Mobile version 1.8 are now
available to PC OEMs and other device manufacturers.
Broadcom's Bluetooth Product Family
Broadcom offers the most complete family of Bluetooth
silicon and software solutions for mobile phones, PCs, wireless headphones and headsets,
peripherals, gaming and other applications. Broadcom's Bluetooth solutions are widely
recognized in the industry as the most widely deployed and feature rich solutions
available. The world's largest manufacturers of consumer electronics, mobile phones and
personal computer products rely on Broadcom Bluetooth technology to provide their
customers with a unique, intuitive and feature rich user experience increasingly free of
wires and cables.
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and
global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom products
enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the
office and the mobile environment. We provide the industry's broadest portfolio of
state-of-the-art, system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing
and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile
devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything(R).
Broadcom is one of the world's largest fabless
semiconductor companies, with 2006 revenue of $3.67 billion, and holds over 2,000 U.S. and
800 foreign patents, more than 6,000 additional pending patent applications, and one of
the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless
transmission of voice, video and data.
Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has
offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be
contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at http://www.broadcom.com/.
Broadcom(R), the pulse logo, Connecting everything(R) and
the Connecting everything logo among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its
affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Bluetooth(R) is a
trademark of the Bluetooth SIG. Wi-Fi(R) is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Microsoft(R), Windows Mobile(R) and Windows Vista(TM) are trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their
respective owners.
(1) IDC Worldwide PC Interface and Technologies 2007-2010
Forecast (IDC Doc# 205155,Feb 2007)
Press Release, release date: June 6, 2007
Source: Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Mobile & Wireless
CONTACT: Technical, Ron Wong, Senior Product Line Manager,
Bluetooth, +1-858-521-5834, ronwong@broadcom.com, of Broadcom Corporation
Web site: http://www.broadcom.com/
Contacts:
Engineering: Ron Wong Senior Product Line Manager USA
Phone: 858-521-5834 Send email E-mail this person Company Information: Name: Broadcom
Corp. Address: 16215 Alton Pkwy. City: Irvine State: CA ZIP: 92618 Country: USA Phone:
949-450-8700 FAX: 949-450-8710 http://www.broadcom.com |
