Bluetooth Cometh

By Michael Foley
iApplianceWeb
(05/29/01, 11:19:31 PM EDT)

A lot has been written about Bluetooth, but what can it really do? 3Com is hoping to answer this question by introducing its first Bluetooth PC Card. 3Com Corporation's Bluetooth PC Card features the 3Com Connection Manager for Bluetooth software package and an innovative antenna design. The Bluetooth PC Card is for mobile devices with PCMCIA slots, such as notebooks, desktop PCs, cell phones, and handhelds.

3Com's Wireless Bluetooth PC Card is based on the new Bluetooth 1.1 specification. The new specification includes a number of enhancements to the original 1.0 specification and is intended to ensure compatibility among Bluetooth products regardless of the vendor. The wireless Bluetooth PC Card enables users to connect to a network or other devices without cables.

The Bluetooth card features 3Com's patented XJACK antenna, which folds conveniently into the PC Card when not in use. The antenna design eliminates the need to remove the card from the notebook. When extended, the XJACK antenna reduces dead zones and interference by providing true omni-directional coverage. 3Com's card is also functional with the antenna retracted, so it does not interfere with other PC cards using the second PC card slot.

The 3Com Wireless Bluetooth PC Card, including the 3Com Connection Manager for Bluetooth software is scheduled to be available in June 2001 for a US list price of $149. 3Com's Wireless Bluetooth PC Card will be sold through standard 3Com channels, including traditional retail partners, distributors, resellers, VARs, catalog, and at 3Com.com.