WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Bluetooth seems to have reached a maturation period with growth rates that, while strong, do not match the growth of the recent past, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). The Bluetooth chip market should benefit as new standards, such as Low-energy and High-speed Bluetooth, are expected to be introduced into devices beginning in late 2009, and in volumes beginning in 2010, the high-tech market research firm says.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Growth of Bluetooth-enabled device shipments will increase by 26% in 2008.
• Silicon manufacturers are continuing to roll out integrated radio chips with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and FM.
• Sales of mono headsets, another high-volume application for Bluetooth, will continue to grow, particularly as regulations surrounding mobile phone usage while driving continue to be made standard in many states

"These new silicon products will spur additional growth in Bluetooth-enabled product shipments, and High-speed Bluetooth ASPs (average selling prices) will help to keep revenues strong as other Bluetooth ASPs continue to decline," says Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst. "Current market growth for Bluetooth devices is primarily attributed to sales growth in mobile phones, which is the top market for Bluetooth silicon shipments."

The research, "Bluetooth 2008: New Standards Signify an Increasingly Complex Market" (#IN0804097MI), covers the worldwide market for Bluetooth and Bluetooth silicon. It provides unit shipment and revenue forecasts for Bluetooth-enabled products by category and Bluetooth semiconductors through 2012. It also includes domestic and international results from In-Stat's 2008 Residential Technology Survey regarding Bluetooth recognition among consumers. Analysis of Bluetooth standards and trends is provided.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/mmcatalogue.asp?id=161