Bluetooth® Software supports Windows Vista(TM).
Press Release Summary:
Broadcom® BTW software v6.1 works in conjunction with Bluetooth software resident within Vista and adds audio drivers and Bluetooth profiles necessary for wireless voice and music applications. It allows control of PC music and VoIP functionality directly from headset and offers Bluetooth profiles for printing, digital imaging, file transfer, and file synchronization. Dial-up networking wizard helps connect notebook to Internet through Bluetooth-enabled phones.
Original Press Release:
Broadcom Announces New Bluetooth® Software with Full Support for Microsoft® Windows Vista(TM)
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)
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/
