Wi-Fi & Cellular: A Wireless Match?

Articles about the future of Wi-Fi have long touted the promise of seamless roaming between cellular and Wi-Fi as one moves from a cell coverage area to a Wi-Fi zone, and vice versa. While that promise is not yet a reality, it is getting closer, thanks to a third-generation Wi-Fi/cell chipset from Texas Instruments announced this week.

Already some devices on the market offer both technologies, such as the new Nokia Communicator 9500, developed in partnership with IBM. Primarily aimed at business applications, Wi-Fi and cell connections for these devices would be handled at the enterprise level.

Texas Instruments Wi-Fi/Cell chipset

But the real holy grail is for the average consumer to be able to buy a cell handset or laptop PC card that switches wireless technologies transparently, without having to think about it. Carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless, all of whom offer Wi-Fi hotspot access as well as cell service, would be natural providers for such services.

The Texas Instruments TNETW1250 802.11a/b/g chipset will provide the hardware half of the equation, by offering greatly reduced power, size, and cost as compared to earlier generations, and is specifically designed for mobile devices like cell phones, smartphones and PDAs. TI cites the growing popularity of mobile entertainment solutions like streaming audio and video, which the faster download speed of Wi-Fi makes possible.

Now it's up to the carriers and software developers to do their part in making the dream a reality. End-user products using the chipset are expected this fall.

Gracenote and MusiKube Vie to Name That Tune

MusiKube service

Soon, you'll be able to get an answer to the perpetual question: What's that song on the radio? No more embarrassing off-key singing hoping friends will know what you're talking about. Just speed-dial your cell phone, hold it up to the music source, and in a few seconds, you'll get not only the name of the song, artist and album, but also an opportunity to buy the album, view artwork and even see concert information, depending on your cell phone and service provider.

Two companies lined up to make it happen are Gracenote and MusiKube. Both use music "fingerprinting" technology to identify songs from audio snippets. Gracenote has the advantage of its enormous worldwide CDDB music database, as well as huge name recognition. The company claims that it can recognize a song in as little as 3 seconds, using patented technology from Philips.

By contrast, MusiKube has a dual platform that includes bar-code recognition as well as audio identification, so users with camera phones can get artist information and song clips sent to their cell phones by taking pictures of CD bar codes. MusiKube is counting on this one-two punch to outflank GraceNote in the race to sign up service providers.

Both should be available in the US this year, although specific providers have not yet been announced.

Bluetooth Headset Makers Battle it Out

Fellowes Earglove BlueSport

Market-leader Jabra announced three new sets, set to ship this summer. The Jabra BT500 will replace the BT200 and BT250 as the mainstream entry with 8 hours of talk time, light weight (20 grams) and optional charging via USB cable from a desktop or laptop. At the high end, the BT800 has a backlit caller ID display, menu jog wheel, digital signal processing for audio clarity and automatic volume adjustment in noisy environments. It offers 6 hours of talk time and weighs 25 grams. The basic BT110 lacks the bells and whistles, but gets an impressive 15 hours of talk time on one AAA battery, and supports voice dialling and accepting/rejecting incoming calls.

Fellowes' Body Glove line of headsets have sporty blue rubberized cases aimed at active users. The new Earglove BlueSport, which will be available in May for $89.99, works up to 30 feet away from the phone, and folds for easy storing. The Earglove BlueVoice adds an extendable microphone for top voice quality even in noisy areas. BlueVoice will ship in July for $99.99. Both headsets have optional adapters for non-Bluetooth phones.

Plantronics M3500

Plantronics added the M2500 and M3500 to its Bluetooth lineup. The entry-level M2500 (available now) offers 5 hours of talk time and comfort styling for $89.95. The call control button lets users answer or end calls with one touch, and access voice dialing. The M3500 features digital signal processing for superior audio quality in noisy environments, and includes both AC and car charging adapters. The M3500 will be available in April for $169.95.

Logitech's Mobile Bluetooth Headset ($89.95), has a boom mike and features adaptive frequency hopping (AFH). AFH technology is incorporated into the Bluetooth 1.2 specification and improves connection reliability in areas with competing 2.4GHz wireless traffic from cell phones and Wi-Fi devices. It also works with Bluetooth-equipped PDAs and laptops.

GN Netcom 6210

GN Netcom (which also owns Jabra), showed off two innovative dual-use Bluetooth headsets that include base stations for plugging into standard phones as well. The DuoLink headsets let you switch seamlessly between using your office phone and cell phone, without changing earpieces. The foldable and lightweight GN 6110 will be available soon for $299. The behind-the-ear GN 6210 will ship this spring; pricing is not yet set.

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Sprint PM-6225 by Nokia

Phone-of-the-day:
Sprint PCS Vision Picture Phone by Nokia PM-6225

Sprint has just started selling this new picture phone ($229), which has a 640x480-pixel camera, a full color screen, and voice recording capabilities. It also has built-in FM radio reception for use with headsets, voice-activated dialing, and customizable caller ID with pictures.

Sierra Wireless AirCard 775

Sierra Wireless AirCard 775

Sierra's new entry into the EDGE and GSM/GPRS networks will offer some key advantages over the competition when it ships this summer. World travelers will lust over the quad-band support for GSM850/900, DCS 1800 and PCS 1900. And Sierra's Watcher software for notebooks, Pocket PCs and handhelds makes installation simple.

CellBoost Instant Battery

If you've ever been caught with a dead cell battery far from home (and who hasn't...), CellBoost will provide emergency relief. These one-time charging packs come in versions for almost all cell phones, cost under $10, and will be available at convenience stores, gas stations and office supply outlets. They average about 60 minutes of talk time and 60 minutes of standby time, enough to get you reconnected.