Extended Systems Adds Bluetooth Hands-Free Support for Auto Industry

    BOISE, Idaho--Oct. 2, 2001--Extended Systems , a leading provider of mobile data management and wireless connectivity solutions, today announced that its Bluetooth software development kit for embedded devices, XTNDAccess Blue SDK, now supports the new Hands-Free module of the Bluetooth Personal Area Network (PAN) profile.
    The Hands-Free feature, a voice connection over Bluetooth, will be used in future vehicles along with microphones and speakers to provide voice activated control of cell phones, MP3 players and other console functions. The PAN profile, along with telematics technology, will enable the car or a mobile device used in the car to become a node on the worldwide network for access to a multitude of other services.
    Extended Systems is introducing support for the Hands-free module at the automotive industry's Bluetooth Solutions Forum, Oct 2-3, in Troy, Mich. and at the Communications Design Conference Oct 1-4 in San Jose, Calif.
    "Adding the Hands-Free module to the Personal Area Network profile enables automakers to integrate Bluetooth for the enhancement of vehicle safety and the extension of wireless communications and controls in the car," said Extended Systems Director of Marketing Don Baumgartner. "This is important as automakers and suppliers continue to focus on safety, as well as convenience."
    Citing Visteon as one of Extended Systems automotive industry customers, Baumgartner said Extended Systems will play a significant role in providing futuristic wireless control features for the cars of tomorrow.

    About XTNDAccess Blue SDK

    Extended System's embedded protocol stack, XTNDAccess Blue SDK, is designed for use in embedded devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, digital cameras, portable office equipment, industrial automation products and more. The product has been qualified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) for more user profiles than any other competing product on the market.
    Extended Systems has had more than 100 Bluetooth design wins within 18 months of the release of its first software kit. Customers include 3Com and Xircom from the PC industry; Motorola and Mitsubishi (TRIUM, France) for telecommunications; Red-M, NEC and 3Com, among others, for networking; Hewlett-Packard and NEC for imaging; Palm for PDAs; and Visteon for automotive products.