PalmSource Bringing Bluetooth 1.2 to the Palm OS

PalmSource has licensed from Extended Systems the software necessary to allow future handhelds running the Palm OS to support Bluetooth 1.2. This new version of this wireless networking standard offers better performance when used at the same time as Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth 1.2 includes Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH), which was designed to reduce interference between wireless technologies sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Cordless telephones, microwave ovens, and certain Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) technologies, including IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g, generally share the same wireless frequencies as Bluetooth. AFH works within the spectrum to take advantage of the available frequencies without limiting the Bluetooth transmission to a set of frequencies occupied by other technologies.

"By continuing to support the latest industry specifications, our software enables Palm OS licensees to deliver infrared and Bluetooth short-range wireless communications capabilities to the next generation of wireless device users," said Charles Jepson, president and CEO of Extended Systems.

It is not known at this time when the first Palm OS devices offering Bluetooth 1.2 will be available.

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