Bluetooth chip maker Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) last week announced a complete package to help PC builders add the latest Bluetooth capability to desktops and laptops. BlueCore4-PC supports the recently introduced Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) ex- tension to the Bluetooth standard that lets a PC link with several devices simultaneously, which could result in wider adoption of the wireless standard in the workplace.

BlueCore4-PC, available now, combines CSR's silicon with a Bluetooth stack from software firm IVT, making a solution vendors can easily add to PC systems. It also includes a range of Bluetooth profiles to support mouse and keyboard connectivity and audio and video applications.

"BlueCore4-PC is the most comprehensive Bluetooth solution for PCs on the market today, including both hardware and software for the latest technology," said Simon Finch, CSR's vice-president of strategic marketing. The product lets PC makers add Bluetooth to new systems while keeping costs down, Finch added. Dell, IBM and HP already offer laptops fitted with CSR's older Bluetooth chips.

Bluetooth EDR, introduced last month as an addendum by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, triples the speed of data exchange. The older standard has already replaced cables in some applications but its 721kbit/s data rate only lets a PC talk to one peripheral at a time.

Bluetooth EDR's data rate of 2.1Mbit/s could, for example, allow a PC operator to simultaneously use a Bluetooth headset, keyboard and mouse while wirelessly synchronising with a PDA, said CSR. Such abilities will make the technology much more attractive for attaching a wide range of desktop peripherals.

Bluetooth has featured mostly in high-end phones, PDAs and laptops, where it meets the need for a cable-free links. It is not found in many desktops, which already have multiple I/O ports, but the increase in speed may encourage PC makers to build the technology into more corporate desktops.

However, Bluetooth will face competition from the proposed Wireless USB standard backed by a group of firms including Intel. Wireless USB will be software-compatible with USB but will use a short-range radio link instead of cables. It is expected to provide a data rate of up to 480Mbit/s, but a complete specification is not likely to appear before the end of this year.

CSR said its chips will add less than $5 (£3) to the cost of a device or system.