Leyio File Sharing Gadget - UWB Finally Lands on Mobile Devices

The Leyio UWB file sharing device was released in London this week and the chaps over at eWeek Europe got a chance to give it a once-over. This long-awaited device has finally made it to distribution writing the first implementation of UWB technology to the consumer in a mobile format. The only other notable devices making use of ultra-wideband technology are high definition video signal transmitters. We're happy to see the Leyio come and hope many more devices make use of the high-bandwidth UWB standard. This application however doesn't have to do Certified Wireless USB, which lets peripherals to a PC wirelessly even though WUSB uses the same UWB radio platform.

The Leyio is designed to be a mobile data sharing device which can partner and transfer files with other Leyio owners. When the two of you meet up, you perform a kind of secret digital handshake involving the fingerprint scanner and accelerometer. Then whatever files you have chosen to share will start jumping across the airwaves at up to 80 Mbps. The Leyio holds up to 16GB of data and can be replenished by a 2GB USB drive that they call "The Shuttle" or via USB cable. now while you can move all manner of files the Leyio only has the ability to display images. It cannot display documents nor play music files at all. Hopefully later versions will at least have the ability to play MP3 files because at more than $200 it will have a hard time catching on otherwise.

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