Broadcom Crams 802.11n, Bluetooth, and FM Onto a Single Chip

Broadcom has managed to cram 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and FM reception/transmission all into a single "combo wireless chip." Designed to be a better wireless implementation for portable devices, the chip seeks to lower chip counts and integration costs. "Broadcom is the second firm — following Atheros in a single-function chip — to announce a single-stream 802.11n product, in which one of 802.11n's advantages is shaved off in favor of a faster baseline performance and lower battery consumption. This move is meant to replace 802.11g in portable devices without draining a battery faster and providing other advantages that make up for what's become a slight cost difference."

Comments

So little room...

[Jonah Bomber]

So many ways to spy on you.

Linux laptops

[mgkimsal2]

So now we can have *3* devices that don't work in our laptops running Linux, instead of potentially only 1 or 2 not work! Awesome :)

Re:Package Size

[jhfry]

Why do debates about technology always get reduced to the size of one's package. What difference does the size of one's package make when it comes to pleasing your intended audience? So your car is faster, your phone is smarter, and your house is bigger... my package is smaller so ha!

(perhaps it's our effort to make everything smaller that has caused the decline in masculinity talked about earlier today)

Re:The real winner is the retailers

[noidentity]

They can sell the same hardware in 3 versions [802.11n, Bluetooth, and FM] charging more for each one depending which features are enabled.

So that's why my portable FM radio has two detachable antennas, four ethernet ports that don't seem to do anything, and flashable firmware!

I don't think you have the quite the right mindest

[Arthur Grumbine]

1) Broadcom Bluetooth 2.0+EDR adapter
2) Broadcom 802.11n adapter
3) Broadcom FM receiver/transmitter
4) Broadcom Office Pro:
802.11n with BONUS Bluetooth!! Let's you stay connected and productive WHEREVER you go!11!
5) Broadcom Mobile:
802.11n with BONUS FM radio!! Great for connecting to your friend's Wifi AND playing tunes through your car radio!!11!
6) Broadcom Media Pro:
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR with BONUS FM radio!! Play radio directly to your Bluetooth headset ZOMG!!11!
7) Broadcom Ultimate*:
802.11n with BONUS Bluetooth AND FM radio!!11! For the person who has EVERYTHING!1!11!!

* - requires 4GB of RAM for all features