March 22, 2002 – Bluetooth may make it to primetime yet. Providing the needed ratings: announcements this week from Palm, Sony Ericsson and Apple Computer.

For Bluetooth enthusiasts with Apple loyalties, the news couldn't be better: in April, Apple will be offering a Bluetooth USB adapter for its OS X machines. Free preview software is available now for downloading from www.apple.com/bluetooth. The adapter will be available at the Apple site and cost $49.

"Apple was the first to build in Ethernet, one of the first to build in USB, the first to build in FireWire, and the first to build in 802.11 wireless networking," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, at Macworld Tokyo, where the Bluetooth move was announced.

Apple's Bluetooth technology for Mac OS X will allow users to share files between Macs; synchronize and share contact information with Palm-OS based PDAs, and access the Internet through Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, including models from Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola.

Apple currently provides 802.11 networking through its AirPort software and hub.

A Bluetooth Duet

Bolstering Bluetooth further: both Palm, Inc. and Sony Ericsson, together and separately.

Sony Ericsson T68

Together, the two companies announced they would collaborate on "readily accessible and easy-to-use" Bluetooth communication solutions aimed at the mobile professional.

The first solution, demonstrated at the Cellular Telecommunications Association (CTIA) wireless conference in Orlando, Florida, featured Bluetooth communication between the new m515 Palm handheld and Sony Ericsson's T68 phone. The pairing enabled users to access email and search the Internet on their handhelds via touch-dialing on the T68 handset. Both devices feature color screens.

The linkup makes good on Palm's promise to add Bluetooth functionality to its popular handhelds. Although promised last year, the Palm Expansion Card Slot is now available (online from Palm store.palm.com/ and at selected retail stores). Cost is $129.

The T68 will be available in the United States next month and is the first GSM/GPRS phone in the U.S. to feature a color screen as well features including joystick navigation and customizable desktop themes. It can be purchased online at www.sonyericsson.com, or through U.S. carriers that support GSM.

Cingular has said it expects to offer the Sony Ericsson T68 and the Palm Bluetooth Card in a move to bolster its enterprise-based data applications, including its suite of Xpress Mail products and the Cingular My Wireless Window portal.