Furthering its commitment to Bluetooth (TM) technology, and marking a significant advancement in the wireless category, Microsoft Corp. today announced the retail availability of the Microsoft� Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth, the industry's first Bluetooth compatible keyboard, mouse and transceiver combination. A Wireless IntelliMouse� Explorer for Bluetooth and transceiver will be made available as a separate offering. "Bluetooth is poised to be the cable replacement technology of choice," said Michael W. Foley, chairman of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) at Microsoft. "More consumers are choosing Bluetooth compatible devices today than ever before because they value the cable-free scenarios the technology allows. Microsoft's adoption of Bluetooth in its new desktop is an important step for the technology, which we believe will lead to increased enthusiasm and support for more products."

The trend is already under way. IDC recently reported that semiconductor revenues from Bluetooth SIG Inc. products are expected to grow from $76 million in 2001 to $2.6 billion in 2006. An advanced radio technology, Bluetooth wirelessly delivers improved range and reliability over that of any other wireless desktop technology on the market today with up to five times the wireless range of 27MHz technology. It allows cable-free interaction with a variety of Bluetooth compatible devices including PCs, printers, mobile phones and input devices, and additional compatibility is being planned.