BLUETOOTH STILL NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET SAY USERS

Bluetooth continues to be dogged by interoperability problems and remains vulnerable to the threats of competing technologies according to the initial results of a Bluetooth study carried out by Berlin based market research company Metrinomics.

Berlin, 28 November 2002

Bluetooth continues to be dogged by interoperability problems and remains vulnerable to the threats of competing technologies according to the initial results of a Bluetooth study carried out by Berlin based market research company Metrinomics.

49% of those questioned in the initial report stage believe that Bluetooth remains under threat from competing wireless technologies. 80% of those who consider Bluetooth to be vulnerable identify Wi-Fi as the main threat to Bluetooth's long term fortunes. Bluetooth also makes a less than convincing outing in the interoperability satisfaction stakes, with almost 50% of those questioned unhappy with current interoperability levels. "That was supposed to be the strong point for Bluetooth, but it isn't the reality" said one disgruntled Bluetooth user.

A stream of industry big hitters including the likes of Apple, HP, IBM and Microsoft have thrown their weight behind Bluetooth, causing many industry watchers to proclaim that Bluetooth's time has come. As well as putting Bluetooth on PCs bundled with Windows XP, Microsoft has launched its Wireless Optical Desktop Bluetooth kit. The Redmond giant's accompanying marketing even claims that "Bluetooth sets the bar for the emerging wireless world."

"Interoperability remains a major concern for a lot of existing and potential Bluetooth users. However, that should change with Microsoft's very public adoption of Bluetooth" said Metrinomics Research Projects Manager Matt Slater.

Bluetooth is also expected to make advances in the in-car telecommunications market with the launch of Bluetooth enabled mobile phone kits which are expected to make a significant dent in the fortunes of proprietary in-car mobile phone kit sales. However, UK government proposed moves to make the use of mobile phones while driving a punishable offence have left many scratching their head as to whether Bluetooth is finally being shown the green or red light. As one respondent put it, "If the UK Government continue with their plans to make the use of bluetooth car kits illegal, the technology will be dead as far as my business is concerned."

Slater added:

"These results show that the consuming public still consider Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to be competing technologies - despite the better efforts of the marketers. Nonetheless, consumer confidence will undoubtedly grow thanks to the credibility boost supplied by Microsoft. Mobile phone and headset applications will also help Bluetooth squarely mark out its territory in the digital lifestyle market - come what may for Bluetooth in-car applications."

Metrinomics Bluetooth Report will be available early next year.