Microsoft Reveals Commercially Available Bluetooth Desktop Solution

April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2002, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT), the leading innovator in desktop peripherals, will unveil the world's first commercially available Bluetooth-enabled wireless mouse and keyboard solution. Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates will demonstrate the devices during his keynote address, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The Microsoft product suite is expected to be available later this year and will include a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard, mouse and transceiver, as well as support for the Windows XP operating system. This desktop solution will highlight the benefits of the Windows-based PC platform, making the latest technology innovations accessible and easy to use.

Bluetooth is an advanced radio technology that delivers improved range and reliability over other short-range wireless technologies. Further, it allows cable-free interaction with dozens of Bluetooth-enabled devices including PCs, PDAs, printers, mobile phones and input devices.

"Bluetooth is the cable replacement technology of choice," said Darrell West, director of marketing for Hardware at Microsoft. "This technology allows consumers to automatically connect -- without wires -- their Bluetooth-enabled devices to their PC. Microsoft is proud to be one of the first to introduce this technology."

Consumers will now be able to quickly and easily create a personal area network (PAN), allowing them to wirelessly link their Bluetooth-enabled portable devices and peripherals to their computers by simply plugging in Microsoft's USB Bluetooth transceiver. The Microsoft Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse will work reliably as much as 30 feet away from the computer, eliminating the need for inconvenient and troublesome cables and wires. In addition, the transceiver will also act as a portal to the PC for up to seven Bluetooth-enabled devices, and seamless integration with Windows XP will make it easier than ever for consumers to connect additional peripherals to their computer.

The Microsoft Bluetooth-enabled mouse will use the company's industry-leading Microsoft Optical Technology, providing smooth, accurate cursor performance without the need for a mouse pad. The Microsoft Bluetooth-enabled keyboard will feature the comfortable design and innovative features Microsoft customers have come to expect from the leader in ergonomic desktop designs. Microsoft will continue to offer its existing wireless keyboard and mouse products -- operating on 27MHz technology -- as a lower-cost alternative to Bluetooth.

Microsoft first joined the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) Inc. as a promoter group company in 1999. The company's continued support of Bluetooth technology will complement its backing of other wireless technologies, including WiFi (802.11b) for wireless computer networking. Just as the USB and Ethernet wired communications standards meet different needs, Microsoft intends to actively support Bluetooth and WLAN technologies within different product categories.

The Microsoft Hardware Group employs innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that improve the software experience and strengthen the connection between users and their computers.

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Website: http://www.microsoft.com/