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3Com's Wireless Bluetooth PC Card Enables Simple
Connectivity for Personal Computing Devices
Posted by WDN, May 29, 2001
3Com's Solution Among the First Available Based on the Newly Ratified 1.1 Industry Standard Bluetooth Specification
As a step in enabling personal electronic devices to connect effortlessly without cables, 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) today
announced the worldwide availability of its Bluetooth(TM) PC Card, featuring a radically simple 3Com Connection Manager for
Bluetooth software package and an innovative antenna design. The 3Com(R) Wireless Bluetooth PC Card allows mobile users to
instantly share information (such as data files, text documents and contact lists) among Bluetooth-enabled personal devices including
notebooks, desktop PCs, cell phones and handhelds.
As one of nine promoter companies in the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, 3Com has been a driving force in determining the latest
industry standard Bluetooth specifications. 3Com's Wireless Bluetooth PC Card is among the first to market 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 simple and ad hoc nature of Bluetooth connections is ideal for personal devices such as mobile phones and PDAs and is also a
perfect complement to the inherent structure of a local area network (either wired or wireless) for computing devices like laptops.
Bluetooth is an integral component of 3Com's complete communications solutions that enable simple, reliable and secure mobile
connectivity," said Rick Maule, vice president and general manager of 3Com's Mobile Connectivity Division. "3Com's Bluetooth
products demonstrate our solid heritage in serving the connectivity needs of the mobile worker, and with our distribution channels, we
will be a powerful force in placing standards-based Bluetooth products in the hands of consumer, road warrior and enterprise
customers."
Delivering on the Promise of Bluetooth
3Com's wireless Bluetooth products enable users to conveniently connect without cables, share files among personal devices,
establish a quick dial-up Internet connection via a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or print to a Bluetooth-enabled printer without logging
onto the local network. With this new technology, exchanging files in a conference room or checking email on the road can be
accomplished without cables, in a matter of seconds.
In April 2001, Cahners In-Stat Group estimated that shipments of Bluetooth-enabled products will soar to 955 million units by
2005. "For Bluetooth to successfully live up to its potential of universal adoption, it must be easy to install and manage. We are
encouraged that 3Com's products are simple to use. The future is bright for this emerging technology with enormous potential, and
3Com is on the leading edge of what is sure to be the future of personal wireless networking," said Joyce Putscher with Cahners
In-Stat.
3Com's Radically Simple Software
Building on its rich history of innovations in mobile connectivity, the 3Com Connection Manager for Bluetooth software ships with
each PC Card and provides radically simple connectivity for the mobile worker:
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Exchanging files or printing is a simple, one-step, drag-and-drop process.
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Recognizing other Bluetooth devices requires no user interaction. Discovery is done automatically by the 3Com Connection
Manager for Bluetooth software.
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Multiple security options allow users to control access to their device.
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A fully discoverable setting enables other Bluetooth devices to recognize and transact with the Bluetooth device.
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A medium level of security enables other Bluetooth devices to recognize the Bluetooth device, but requires a password to
communicate.
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The highest level of security cloaks the Bluetooth device from other devices, and transactions are only possible with a password
from authorized devices.
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The 3Com Connection Manager for Bluetooth software and firmware are flash upgradeable, providing a future-proof upgrade
path as additional profiles are added to the Bluetooth specification, protecting customers' investment in this new technology.
Innovative Antenna Design
3Com's Wireless Bluetooth Type II form factor PC Card features 3Com's patented XJACK(R) antenna, which folds conveniently
into the PC Card when not in use. This innovative 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.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi(TM) (802.11b) Wireless Networking
As a leading provider of both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless products, 3Com recognizes the complementary nature of the
technologies, objectively playing to the advantages of each, and enabling them to coexist. Bluetooth is designed for quick bursts of
low-bandwidth information in a cable replacement scenario, while Wi-Fi is the ideal wireless LAN technology for transferring
high-bandwidth files or for always-on Internet and network connectivity. Bluetooth's purpose and design allows small computing
equipment such as notebooks, cell phones and handheld computers to complete small data transfers using a less expensive,
smaller-footprint device and significantly lower power consumption.
Pricing & Availability
The 3Com Wireless Bluetooth PC Card, including the 3Com Connection Manager for Bluetooth software, (model No.
3CRWB6096) 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. The PC
Card and software comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
About 3Com Corporation
3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use, connectivity products and solutions for
consumers and commercial organizations. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network
service providers. For further information, visit www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
3Com, and XJACK are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by its proprietor and
used by 3Com Corporation under license. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with
which they are associated.
CONTACT: 3Com Corporation
Mark Plungy, 408/326-6545
mark_plungy@3com.com
or
Coltrin & Associates for 3Com
Christy Boden, 801/350-9412
christy_boden@coltrin.com
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