Future Operating Systems to Support Bluetooth Wireless Nets

Microsoft has committed to supporting Bluetooth wireless technology in the “Whistler” release of Windows 2000, expected in the second quarter of 2001. Bluetooth creates short-range, wireless connections between mobile devices such as laptop computers, cell phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Given that one of the major uses of Bluetooth will be to simplify synchronization of desktop calendar and contact information with handheld devices, Microsoft’s support is a major boost for this emerging standard. The first commercial Bluetooth devices are expected by the end of this year.

Bluetooth-enabled devices will be able to independently create, join, and leave wireless Bluetooth “piconets” simply by moving within range of other Bluetooth-enabled devices. In addition to supporting synchronization of PDAs and cell phones with desktop PCs, Bluetooth will create a new category of applications, such as “proximity user authentication,” in which a Bluetooth-enabled smart card authenticates a user simply by having the user move into close proximity to a Bluetooth-enabled smart card reader.