Wireless USB set to kill off Bluetooth

Wireless USB products will be in the shops by Christmas and the widespread adoption of the technology will rapidly kill off Bluetooth, Intel has claimed at its Developer Forum in San Francisco.

The wireless USB protocol will be completed by the end of March and the access controller specification should be approved by the end of the year. Wireless USB is designed to be used at ranges of less than 10 metres and will allow peak data speeds of 480Mbps.

"In the next 12 months we will see wireless USB products in the retail sector," said Kevin Kahn, senior fellow at Intel.

"Many companies are ready to adopt this stuff and start shipping it. Multiple silicon builders are around to provide a healthy competitive market as well."

Kahn demonstrated a USB dongle that fits into a standard USB 2 port and would make any machine with a USB port capable of using the device. Over 200 companies are due to bring out wireless USB devices.

Key to the uptake of the new technology is ease of use. Bluetooth has turned off many users due to compatibility problems, but USB is well understood and some analysts rate it as the most successful interface in the world.

"The general consumer doesn't have a clue," said Jeff Ravencroft, technology strategist at Intel. "Thirty per cent of returns to technology retailers are because of set-up problems. If it isn't easy to set up this isn't going to happen."

A website detailing the new technology can be found here.