Window of Opportunity for Wireless USB Slowly Closing?

Ultra-wideband (UWB) has been in the market since 2006, yet only a handful of consumer products based on Certified Wireless USB of WiMedia's UWB radio platform exist. In fact, there isn't even one native peripheral to date. The only application we've seen so far is some WUSB hubs plagued by sub-par performance. So, where is Wireless USB heading? IMS Research believes UWB and all the protocols that rely on the platform are at a cross-road, and 2008 may very well be pivotal year for them.

The key is in getting more first tier manufacturers to ship WUSB integrated with their notebooks, and this should ramp up the production, hence driving the cost down to below $5. (The UWB IC prices currently remain at around $10.) Even though Dell, Toshiba and Lenovo are getting onboard, the rest is skeptical about UWB future, and has expressed concerns that half of the eco-system has been disappointing. IMS Research isn't all pessimistic, reassuring that UWB market volume will increase eventually as portable electronics move on to wireless option whose only choice is Wireless USB.