From Wi-Fi Networking News, a look at the WiMedia Alliance's announcement of the completion of interoperability testing between five WiMedia members' ultrawideband (UWB) solutions -- Alereon, RealTek, Staccato, WiQuest and Wisair. "The event's success solidifies the Alliance's projection that consumers will be able to purchase WiMedia certified products during the second half of 2006," the Alliance states in a press release.

The testing event was held January 23 to 25 at Intel's UWB Integration Lab in Hillsboro, Oregon. "This WiMedia interoperability event marks the first, official recording of devices from different vendors 'talking' to each other," says Brad Hosler, Chairman of the WiMedia Alliance Certification and Interoperability Committee. "Alliance members have proven through product performance and upcoming event inquiries that we're ready to support a consumer-focused UWB market."

As Glenn Fleishman points out at Wi-Fi Networking News, the projection of a late 2006 release of WiMedia products puts the Alliance in a slightly better position than it has been to compete with Freescale, which has products coming out in a month or so.