Certified Wireless USB Technology Realized in First Six Certified End-User Products

Certified Wireless USB Technology Realized in First Six Certified End-User Products

USB-IF Certifies Consumer Products for Compliance with the Wireless USB 1.0 Specification

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) today announced the first six consumer products to pass compliance and certification testing for Certified Wireless USB. Products from Dell, D-Link, IOGEAR and Lenovo will introduce the Certified Wireless USB technology to consumers — in the form of notebooks, Wireless USB host adapters and hubs — and deliver the benefits of high data rate wireless connectivity in new and existing PCs and devices.

“This is the beginning of a very exciting time for Certified Wireless USB, as the vision of a world without wires is realized. It is a great endorsement to have consumer recognized PC and CE companies be the first to incorporate Certified Wireless USB into new products. This makes a huge statement that Certified Wireless USB is here,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president. “With a variety of Certified Wireless USB silicon and end-user products available, we expect to see other OEMs and ODMs follow suit in the coming months as Wireless USB continues its march to broad adoption.”

Similar to the Hi-Speed USB logo, consumers can now look for the Certified Wireless USB logo on product packaging and/or hardware for all products that have passed certification. This logo is a sign to consumers that these products have been tested for interoperability and will work with other Certified Wireless USB devices.

The new products, which are expected to hit stores for the back-to-school and the holiday gift seasons, include certified silicon from vendors Alereon, Intel Corporation, NEC Electronics Corporation, Realtek Semiconductor Corp. and WiQuest. This further demonstrates the strong adoption of Certified Wireless USB.

The following consumer products have achieved compliance and certification for Certified Wireless USB:
Dell Inspiron 1720 notebook
D-Link–Wireless USB Adapter (DUB-1210) & 4-Port Wireless USB Hub (DUB-2240)
IOGEAR’s Wireless USB Hub & Adapter Kit
Lenovo ThinkPad T61/T61p 15.4-inch Widescreen Notebook

Consumers have awaited a high data rate wireless solution that provides enhanced mobility and less cable clutter without compromising usability, security and performance. Certified Wireless USB builds on the ease-of-use and interoperability experienced with Hi-Speed USB.

“Consumers have long valued the ability to transfer personal content via USB,” said Liam Quinn, director of communications technology, Dell’s Office of the CTO. “Being one of the first to achieve Certified Wireless USB compliance on a consumer notebook platform is only the first step in driving this technology across our consumer notebook portfolio, and underscores our focus on delivering a solution that parallels the ease-of-use associated with Hi-Speed USB, only wirelessly.”

“D-Link is proud to offer a Wireless USB kit which includes both a hub and adapter. This solution will offer consumers the benefits of Certified Wireless USB and allow them to maintain the investments made in their legacy PCs and devices,” said AJ Wang, chief technical officer of D-Link.

“The development of end-user products such as our Wireless USB Hub & Adapter Kit is vital when transitioning a new technology into the marketplace,” said Sampson Yang, CEO of IOGEAR. “Certified Wireless USB’s high data rate capability will enable our customers to seamlessly transfer audio, video and large data files from USB peripherals to their PCs.”

“Combining Wireless USB with the leading connectivity, security and reliability of a ThinkPad gives customers the latest technology for greater flexibility in using their PC,” said Tom Ribble, Worldwide ThinkPad Notebook Director, Lenovo. “Our quick adoption of Certified USB supports Lenovo’s commitment to providing PC innovations that deliver a superior computing experience for our customers.”

To learn more about Certified Wireless USB compliance and certification or how to become a member, please visit www.usb.org.

About Certified Wireless USB

Certified Wireless USB is the first high-speed wireless personal interconnect technology combining the speed and security of wired Hi-Speed USB with the ease-of-use-of wireless technology. It is backward compatible with wired USB, allows users to connect up to 127 devices and delivers a bandwidth of up to 480Mb/s at 3 meters and 110Mb/s at 10 meters. Certified Wireless USB is based on the WiMedia Alliance Ultra-wideband Common Radio Platform.

The Wireless USB Promoter Group, consisting of seven companies — Agere Systems, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, Philips Semiconductors and Samsung — defined the core Certified Wireless USB specification with the support of more than 100 contributor members. The group has now transitioned the specification’s management to the USB-IF, the supporting governing body of USB specifications. If a company intends to build and ship a product based on the Certified Wireless USB specification and wants to obtain a license, it should become an adopter member of the organization and license the logo. Download the adopter agreement and the license agreement by visiting: http://www.usb.org/wusb/.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Contacts

VTM PR for USB-IF
Kim Miller, +1-971-563-5677
kmiller {at} vtm-inc(.)com