Standards-based wireless USB (WUSB) hubs and dongles will reach market by mid-year, with WUSB-enabled PCs, printers, cameras, and other peripherals arriving before 2008, according to In-Stat. The firm's annual report on the USB market suggests that combined, wired and wireless USB-enabled device shipments will grow at double-digit rates through 2011.

The first “Certified WUSB” devices will be dongle and hub products aimed at retrofitting existing equipment. However, PCs, printers, multi-function printers, and cameras with WUSB built in will ship prior to 2008, In-Stat predicts.

Meanwhile, at least one Linux-powered 802.11-based wireless USB device has already started shipping.

Additional findings from In-Stat's report include:

• More than 2-billion USB-enabled devices shipped worldwide in 2006
• Annual growth of USB-enabled shipments through 2011 will be 12.3 percent, thanks in part to phones with “full-speed” USB

Analyst Brian O'Rourke stated, “Certified WUSB is designed to replace USB cables on the PC desktop, as well as to facilitate temporary connections between mobile and fixed devices, such as portable digital audio players and PCs, or digital still cameras and printers.”

These findings are from In-Stat's report, “USB 2007: Wireless Finally Arrives.” It divides the USB device market into five segments, including PCs, peripherals, consumer electronics, communications, and automotive. It covers USB silicon and IP providers, but not “specialized” commercial applications for USB, such as measurement, control, or point-of-sale systems.

Availability

The In-Stat report is available now, priced at $4,000. More details can be found here.

 
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