Ozmo Devices, a start-up based in Palo Alto, California, has begun sampling its second generation OZMO2000 chip for Wi-Fi Personal Area Networks (Wi-Fi PANs). The Ozmo Wi-Fi solution, which is positioned as an alternative to Bluetooth or proprietary wireless dongles, is designed for use in Wi-Fi mouse, keyboard and remote control devices. The company calculates that its advanced power management features provide a battery life that is two to three times longer than Bluetooth.
Primax Electronics, a leading Taiwan-based mouse manufacturer, is the first ODM to offer their mouse designs with the OZMO2000. In addition NMB Technologies Corporation, one of the largest keyboard manufacturers in the world, has also selected the solution.
Ozmo's new silicon is the first to take advantage of Windows 7 SoftAP (Software-based Access Point) functionality to attach peripherals to personal computers. SoftAP is built into Windows 7 and allows Wi-Fi devices to connect directly to notebooks without the need for an access point.
"Microsoft Windows SoftAP functionality is a logo requirement for all Wi-Fi products under Windows 7," said Billy Anders, Group Program Manager for Windows Networking at Microsoft Corp. "Given the nearly 100% attach rate of Wi-Fi in notebooks, Ozmo's innovative solution adds new, low-power peripherals to any Windows 7-based notebook without increasing the platform cost. We are excited to see developers like Ozmo take advantage of this innovative Windows 7 feature to improve the customer experience."http://www.ozmodevices.com
- Earlier this month, Ozmo Devices announced $10.8 million in Series D funding for its low-power Wi-Fi Personal Area Network (Wi-Fi PAN) solutions. Ozmo Devices' chipset enables low-power wireless peripherals like mice and headsets.
- Earlier this year, Ozmo Devices named Bill McLean as president and CEO. . McLean was co-founder and CEO of GloNav, a fabless semiconductor company that manufactured GPS receivers for the cellular market. He successfully sold the company to NXP (part of ST Ericsson) for $110 million in 2008.
