Intel Corp, IBM Japan Ltd, NEC Corp and Hewlett-Packard Japan Ltd have formed a group to set specifications for smart-home wireless technology that will link appliances and PCs, according to The Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The goal of the spec is to ensure compatibility of equipment and data transfer protocols. The news comes three months after a group was formed in the US for the same purpose (CI No 3,361). The Home Radio Frequency Working Group, which includes Microsoft, Intel, Compaq, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Motorola and Philips, say they are working on a spec called the Shared Wireless Access Protocol. The spec should be published later this year. The Japanese group already boasts ten home appliance and telecommunications equipment firms which have agreed to participate and market products using the technology, the first of which is set to come out next year. Among the companies are Fujitsu Ltd, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Matsushita Electric Works Ltd, Sharp Corp, Mitsubishi Electric Corp and Casio Computer Co. The technology will enable the transfer of various forms of data between appliances, such as cordless telephones and stereos, and PCs without connecting cables.
