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India's ICT industry has "mixed feelings" about Bluetooth

From "Indian Bluetooth takes a big bite" by K.C. Krishnadas, EE Times (via CommsDesign), 28 September:

"BANGALORE, India -- Indian technology companies view Bluetooth technology with mixed feelings, with some having dropped out of the development race while others continue to bet on its future. The faithful include HCL Technologies, MindTree Consulting and Impulsesoft while dropouts after initial efforts include Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro Technologies.

"Bluetooth-related activity in India covers a broad range including the development of baseband controllers, of protocol stacks, synchronizing applications for handheld devices, testing Bluetooth products, interoperability testing between Bluetooth devices from different vendors, and developing profiles for applications such as device control, audio/video data transfer, FTP and MP3 players.

"Bluetooth technology developed in India is already on-board some of the world's highest volume consumer products. The Bangalore-based Impulsesoft has just announced the latest version of its multimedia solution for in-car entertainment, called iWiND 2.0. It licensed its iWaltz multimedia over Bluetooth system to Texas Instruments Inc. for mobile handset manufacturers.

"HCL Technologies believes Bluetooth's future is linked to the lack of viable alternatives. 'Millions of Bluetooth-enabled devices are being shipped and many new applications are emerging. If the technology remains unchallenged despite drawbacks in compatibility issues and short range, it will continue to grab big market share,' said a spokesperson of HCL Technologies Ltd...

"At MindTree, about 75 engineers work on Bluetooth-related projects. 'We provide a complete solution to customers ranging from silicon to software IP, leveraging our experience in both domains. MindTree's product realization services include porting, integration, validation, system testing, interoperability and pre-qualification testing, qualification support and application development,' Deshmukh said.

"Impulsesoft, which has a 45-member engineering team, has a model of licensing end-to-end middleware and reference designs for customers to integrate Bluetooth multimedia capability in their end products. Products now in the market using its technology include Ten Technology's naviPlay adapter and remote control for the iPod and OpenBrain's Bluetooth stereo headset and MP3 player.

"With five million units shipping each week, Bluetooth has had the last laugh. As a market, it is far larger than the much more written about Wi-Fi and with near universal adoption in high-end phones and cars, due to regulation, and steady migration into mid-end phones, it is poised to continue dominating the short range wireless markets. The decision to use Bluetooth profiles over UWB further secures its position, ImpulseSoft's Srikrishna concluded."

[Bluetooth: 29 September 2005]