Bluetooth opens up to high speed
The Bluetooth SIG consortium has announced closer working ties with developers of the UWB technology (Ultra Wide Band), which paves the way for wireless high-speed applications. This combination will particularly meet synchronization and high-speed transfer requirements, especially for video on mobile phones. Consumers will be able to interconnect their computers, telephones and other electronic devices without any problems in both the car and at home. It marks an important step towards ever greater mobility.
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chips every week
That is the figure that has just been announced by the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group). This extremely high number bears testament to the rise of the technology and its spread in such varied sectors as telephony, computing, cars and MP3 players. "Before you can say Bluetooth, 10 new chips have already rolled off the production line," says Michael Foley, Executive Director of the SIG. Remember that forecasts for 2005 are counting on 500 million units!
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With a name like that, you might imagine an SUV connected to the Internet. But the Bluetooth technology is actually used to provide the driver with a wireless GPS navigation system inside the car, which incidentally doubles as a satellite anti-theft device constantly linked to a central tracking office. Rav4.com is proposed by Toyota Italy - an obviously very dynamic subsidiary with a strong preference for Bluetooth.
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Until 31 August, the Japanese manufacturer is offering a Bluetooth kit for just €1 more in its Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 models in France. Customers actually have the choice between a cutting-edge Sony Ericsson T630 mobile phone with a Bluetooth kit, and a Garmin GPS with a colour touchscreen. With the Mazda2, a CD player is offered in addition to the Bluetooth kit.
Bluetooth people carriers
Fiat is currently offering "Cinecitta" versions of its Multipla and Ulysse people carriers. In particular, the equipment includes a Bluetooth hands-free kit and a DVD player. Opel is introducing an in-vehicle navigation system in the new Zafira with the Bluetooth function for linking a mobile phone.
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BLUETOOTH® : AMERICA HERE WE COME! 
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Bluetooth may have got off to a quicker start in Europe than in the USA, but the US market is beginning to keep its promises. Car manufacturers are giving the technology a great deal of thought and Parrot is intending to lend them its support as part of their approach to offer the very best in wireless technology.
"Without mentioning any names, it is actually the European mobile phone manufacturers, Nokia and Ericsson, that have managed to get Bluetooth accepted by the Americans," , advises Henri Seydoux, CEO of Parrot.
It should be pointed out that the USA uses the CDMA standard and only recently migrated to GSM networks. But today, several operators are developing Bluetooth-compliant mobile phone packages. Such is the case of Verizon Wireless, Sprint and especially Cingular. Americans look to the telecoms operators to renew their mobile phone and adopt the new technologies. Bluetooth mobile phones and wireless headphones have therefore become very trendy items across the Atlantic. There is admittedly a huge difference between old Europe and the new continent. Experts are banking on sales of 80 million Bluetooth phones in Europe for 2005, compared to 20 million in the USA.
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As far as hands-free kits are concerned, there is also plenty of catching up to do. Two million kits were sold in Europe in 2004, as opposed to 500 000 in the USA (an expected 1.5 million in 2005, including Canada). However, the tightening of legislation governing the use of phones at the wheel should change the situation. For instance, no less than 10 million hands-free kits should be sold by 2010 throughout North America (compared to 15 million during the same timescale in Europe) - a figure that can easily whet Parrot's appetite.
"The American market is some two to three years behind", says Bernard Patry, head of the subsidiaries, "and we are looking to take advantage of this time difference."
 High-quality distribution
The subsidiary Parrot Inc. has been operational for 18 months.
"Most of our customers are based in California," stresses Bernard Patry. "This particular state is very focused on the hi-tech market and sensitive to trend effects. In addition to our flagship products, such as the Easydrive (plug & play), the CK 3000 Evolution and the CK 3100 (fitted car kits), we are planning to develop a fleet management package with the CK 3300 and CK 3500, which both incorporate Bluetooth and GPS reception. Unlike its renowned competitors, such as Nokia and Motorola, Parrot's main strength lies in its wide range of products. The one stop shop concept has proved a big hit with distributors." .
The distribution side is actually handled by companies specialized in telephony and accessories, like Tesco, Nice Stuff, Live Wire, PC Mall and Magnolia. . At the same time, the Detroit office is holding talks with car manufacturers in an attempt to develop sales in the dealer networks.
Parrot, which above all remains a company of engineers, has also forged technical partnerships in the USA. For example, it fosters special relations with Palm in California, which enables it to be recommended by the manufacturer for hands-free kits associated with the Treo Bluetooth. Parrot also maintains technical relations with Plantronics, the specialist in telephone accessories.
 The motor industry changes over to Bluetooth
Christophe Deffontaines, in charge of the motor industry at Parrot, confirms the interest shown in the Bluetooth technology by manufacturers and players in general, "You could say that the US market has taken off ever since Motorola started investing in the sector. Remember that Chrysler was the first American manufacturer to offer a Bluetooth package with the U Connect system. General Motors is wondering about upgrading its in-vehicle telematics system, On Star."
Another factor motivating the sector's players can be attributed to the Japanese manufacturers, who are progressively winning shares of the US market from Detroit's Big Three and actually offering this technology (Toyota with the Prius, Honda and soon Nissan as OEM fit equipment). In all, 17 manufacturers are offering this option in 2005 for the US market, compared to seven last year. "OEMs are also starting to give some thought to the Bluetooth issue," Christophe Deffontaines reveals. "For example, we are holding talks with Visteon and Johnson Controls. Parrot has the R&D capacities, the technological expertise and above all unrivalled telecoms experience".
"Our strength lies in interoperability," adds Bernard Patry, "we have a team that continually performs compatibility testing on our phones in both France and the USA. Furthermore, we provide software patches on our website to update the hands-free kits and ensure that they are compatible with the new mobile phones on the market. We have also developed specific solutions geared towards the American market. Unlike in Europe, where everything is standardized, manufacturers all have their own system of cables dedicated to their particular brand. Therefore, we are offering specific cables according to the vehicle. This guarantees the customers that their phone will work in the car and installation engineers that the package will be easy to fit inside the car." .
 Parrot's American dream
Our expertise is a recognized fact. Back in May, Parrot was nominated for the second year running in the "best aftermarket product" category of the awards given by Telematics Update, an organization specialized in in-vehicle telematics. The jury comprised representatives from such reputable companies as Strategy Analytics, the Telematics Research Group and Gartner.
The « Frenchie's » breakthrough did not go unnoticed during the ceremony, which was held in Detroit, the heart of the American motor industry. In addition, Parrot's CEO, Henri Seydoux, took part in a round table discussion on Bluetooth and reaffirmed his vision of seeing the technology systematically introduced into every car. It is very important for us to be an active force in the USA, as the market is going to undergo high levels of development. Parrot is currently present in 39 countries, which ensures that we can write off R&D costs and offer products with ever higher performance levels. Our reputation is built on the reliability of the hands-free kits and the compatibility with the mobile phones on the market." According to experts, 25% of new cars will be fitted with Bluetooth modules in 2008. In other words, the prospects are very good indeed.
Even Bill Gates himself has spotted a bright future for Bluetooth! Microsoft's boss actually made an announcement on Windows Mobile 5, confirming that the Smartphone will be the terminal of the future for music, which opens the way for wireless music file exchanges between the mobile phone and the car.
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