Epson to Demonstrate Full Bluetooth Printing Capability at COMDEX

Technology to Enhance Convenience by Eliminating Need for Printer Cables

Epson America, Inc. will demonstrate full printing capability using Bluetooth wireless communication technology on the new EPSON Stylus Color 777 color ink jet printer with the EPSON Bluetooth Print Adapter at COMDEX Fall 2000 beginning November 13.

The product being demonstrated will be the basis of the Bluetooth printing product Epson plans to ship by the end of the year.

The demonstration, which will take place in the Bluetooth Pavilion Booth No. L6126 location 37, will include printing of all Windows text and graphics applications at the full Bluetooth speed of 721 kilobits per second. It will also include a demonstration of printer discovery through the Bluetooth Neighborhood, which shows on screen the Bluetooth-enabled devices that are within range.

Bluetooth is a low-cost 2.4 Ghz radio frequency technology that allows for short-range communications between a wide variety of digital devices such as laptop computers, cell phones, handheld computers, printers and others. Bluetooth-enabled devices, which automatically detect the presence of other enabled devices, can communicate with each other within a 10-meter range without the need for cables. It is estimated that by 2005 several hundred million devices will be Bluetooth-enabled.

Epson officials said Bluetooth printing promises to be a business application that will enhance convenience in both the office and the home with advantages over infrared connectivity. Unlike devices using infrared technology, devices using Bluetooth technology do not require a clear line of sight to communicate, but rather just have to be within the designated range.

"People are eager to see how Bluetooth will simplify their lives," said Mitch Kadish, product manager, connectivity products, Epson. "With this technology, people will no longer have to worry about being constrained by cables to do their printing, which will be especially important for mobile professionals. The potential is phenomenal."

Epson plans to offer Bluetooth capability to its customers by the end of the year using technology that will be compatible with a full line of Epson printers. With this technology, customers will be able to print not only from their computers but also directly from telephones and handheld computing devices in the future.


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