Magnets To Replace Bluetooth?

aceat64 writes "News.com is carrying a story that suggests magnets could eventually replace Bluetooth as a cheaper and more energy effiect wireless solution. The concept of magnetic induction isn't new, but Aura has managed to shrink the technology onto a single chip. The first device to be made using the technology is a wireless headset that will cost between $60 and $80."

Comments

Induction

[polyp2000]

Correct me if i'm wrong but dont most Radio transmission technologies use some form of magnetic induction in order to achieve their goal. Last i heard passing electricity through a coil produces a magnetic field. Whats new here?

It's nice to know this is new technology (not)

[panurge]

Obviously the magnetic induction loops in churches and halls that transmit the sound to hearing aids don't count because they are some primitive old technology.

Actually, I have to wear a hearing aid in one ear due to mid-ear damage, and I'm expecting before long to have an inductive loop for my cell phone that means handsfree use without any kind of additional earpiece. Apart from convincing people that I'm completely mad and talking to myself in the street, it should be a considerable improvement over bluetooth headsets, which, compared to either of my hearing aids, are heavy and have poor frequency response.