Texas Instruments (TI) today unveiled a new PDA concept designed called WANDA, short for Wireless Any Network Digital Assistant. A PocketPC-based PDA, the WANDA supports GSM/GPRS cell networks, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi — the first “tri-wireless PDA concept design,” according to TI.
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WANDA is a proof of concept aimed at piquing the curiosity of manufacturers who want to license the design — the company is offering manufacturers complete reference designs. It’s a modular architecture that can support one, two or all three of the wireless capabilities, according to TI, but it gives a tantalizing glimpse at how wireless PDAs and cell phones may evolve in the coming months and years.
The WANDA itself is a platform for TI’s semiconductor designs, including the OMAP1510 application processor, which helps to drive the Microsoft PocketPC operating system; the BFR6100, a single-chip Bluetooth solution built using a 0.13 micron processor which integrates RF processing; the TNETW1100B, an 802.11b processor with enhanced power management features; and the TCS2100 chipset, developed for GSM/GPRS communications.
TI plans to make the WANDA concept design available to manufacturers starting next month.