Ericsson Committed to WAP: Unveils WAP Phone and Embedded WAP-Over- Bluetooth Server

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NEWS FLASH 2000 - 45 (Dec. 2000)
(Updated on Dec. 13, 2000)

TECHNOLOGY

Ericsson Committed to WAP: Unveils WAP Phone and Embedded WAP-Over- Bluetooth Server

Despite the backlash WAP has received from its critics, Ericsson continues to strengthen its commitment to the development of WAP as the de facto standard. The Swedish-based company has released not only its latest WAP phone, A2626, making it the seventh in Ericsson's family of WAP-enabled phones, but also an embedded WAP-over-Bluetooth server.

Features of the A2626:

WAP over GSM and over SMS
Access to WAP sites, including Ericsson Mobile Internet portal
Exchangeable snap-on covers and start-up shows
Measures, 131 x 51 x 25 mm
Weighs, 140 grams
Voice recognition
Environmental adjustments
Menu uses both text and icons

The company said that two versions of the A2628 will be produced: the A2628s and A2628c, which features a complete Chinese interface.

Embedded WAP-over-Bluetooth Server
In anticipation of the raft of WAP-equipped devices with Bluetooth facilities, expected early next year, Ericsson has unveiled its embedded WAP server that has Bluetooth personal area network (PAN) technology.

Placing WAP and Bluetooth side-by-side, will enable advanced wireless devices to download more data at a higher speed via a Bluetooth channel.

The embedded WAP Server will be available to OEMs to add both WAP and Bluetooth connectivity to products such as TVs, VCRs, DVDs, as well as top boxes, location information points, cars and garage door openers.

Using the embedded WAP server in a Bluetooth device makes it possible to implement WAP in a small and low cost device, said Ericsson.

The company added that the Ericsson Bluetooth Module will execute all the needed software for Bluetooth wireless technology, WAP, and the application.

For more information: www.bsquare.com/press/story.asp?PressID=235

Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: Integrating WAP and Bluetooth in the same server is an interesting development. However, core application for WAP is wide-area and core application of Bluetooth is local. In so long as we use one gateway to connect these devices, it is a good thing but it does not solve the problem of limited bandwidth of wide area wireless networks. Nor are SDK's for Bluetooth compatible with WAP SDKs. We see only a limited utility of a combined server. Servers are installed generally at a backend location, ISP location where there exists a wireline connection anyway where many of these Bluetooth devices are going to be controlled by a PC or the new breed of home gateways. May be, we are missing Ericsson's point.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.

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