Wireless Modem for Handheld Devices Unveiled at PalmSource 2000

Strategic Insights -

Wavenet Technology Pty. Ltd. and yambay Technologies Pty. Ltd., two Australian-based companies, have unveiled a wireless modem for handheld devices with an "auto-wake" feature that activates a "sleeping" Palm device when information is transmitted. The modem, code-named Dualwave, is compatible with the Palm V and IBM Workpad family of handheld computers and will be demonstrated at PalmSource 2000 Conference in Santa Clara Convention Center from December 12-15, 2000. The wireless offering is the result of the development efforts of Wavenet and yambay, with Wavenet developing the Dualwave hardware attachment and yambay developing the MACH software platform.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Dualwave modem is the first wireless modem for handheld devices with an "auto-wake" feature that activates a "sleeping" Palm device when information is transmitted.
  • The modem is compatible with the Palm V and IBM Workpad family of handheld computers.
  • Wavenet developed the Dualwave hardware attachment, while yambay developed the MACH software platform.
  • The wireless gateway designed for handheld-centric wireless carriers, MACH, has generated much interest from carriers who are finding their legacy systems unable to cope with the demand for wireless handheld services.
  • yambay is the Asia Pacific region's largest dedicated developer of software applications for handheld computing devices, with investment from the Rothschild group.
  • yambay employs more than 30 staff and is supported by a strong management team with backgrounds in leading companies such as Arthur Andersen, Cable & Wireless Optus, and McKinsey & Co.
  • Wavenet's radio modem technology is used exclusively for data transmission and is compatible with DataTAC networks in North America and Asia Pacific.

Statistics:

  • The MACH Platform is designed to support multiple devices such as Palm, RIM, Pocket PC, and next generation protocols such as GPRS.
  • yambay has a strong customer base including Anglo America, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rio Tinto, Telstra, and Toyota.
  • Wavenet is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and has two major product lines based on its radio modem technology.
  • The OEM product range enables third parties to incorporate the radio technology within proprietary or purpose-built units.

Sources:

  • Wavenet Technology Pty. Ltd. and yambay Technologies Pty. Ltd. press release, December 13, 2000.
  • Wavenet Technology Pty. Ltd. and yambay Technologies Pty. Ltd. website: www.wavenet.com.au, www.yambay.com.
  • PalmSource 2000 Conference, Santa Clara Convention Center, December 12-15, 2000.