Connectivity Activity: Wireless USB, Bluetooth, DLNA

When it comes to digital-consumer gadgets, the term "stand alone" simply does not compute. These days it's all about connectivity -- preferably without wires or configuration hassles, if you please. Underscoring the trend, Bluetooth, Wireless USB, and the Digital Living Network Alliance all made connectivity news in the past week. In connection (pun intended) with this week's Spring VON (Voice Over Network) conference in San Jose, Bluetooth-silicon provider CSR announced a reference design for a USB dongle that uses Bluetooth to connect a hands-free headset to the Skype VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) service via a user's PC. Once plugged into a USB port on a Skype-enabled PC, the dongle will automatically discover and connect to a Bluetooth headset, enabling the user to place and receive calls without additional software installation, according to the company. The design aims to unchain Skype users who normally find themselves shackled to their PCs by traditional headsets, and the system also supports volume adjustment and muting via the headset.