Almost three years after it debuted at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), wireless USB remains one of the most promising implementations of ultra wideband (UWB) short-range radio technology, but it is still waiting for its day to hit the market. That day was expected to come in 2006, and the industry was ready, according to Intel technology strategist Jeff Ravencraft, who is also chairman and president of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). He even cited Citigroup as predicting that 17 million wireless USB devices could be sold this year, but the reality was far from that optimistic outlook.
In June 2006, Ravencraft cited In-Stat as providing a more realistic estimate for the Certified Wireless USB market as reaching 400,000 units this year. The market will grow to 11 million devices next year and 48.2 million units in 2008, he added. Backed by industry heavyweights, such as Intel, Certified Wireless USB remains the most likely winner in the battle of wireless USB implementations. And if that is the case, benefits will follow for companies such as Staccato Communications — a self-positioned UWB technology pioneer with application expertise in Certified Wireless USB, Bluetooth and Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity.