New Broadcom chip for phones does 802.11n, lots of other stuff

Phones have lagged -- understandably, we suppose -- behind desktops and laptops in bringing 802.11n to market, but it was bound to happen eventually; to that end, Broadcom has announced its BCM4329, one of the first mobile 802.11n solutions on the block. On top of delivering up to 50Mbps of real-world WiFi throughput on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the darned thing throws in Bluetooth, an FM receiver, and an FM transmitter, too -- in other words, everything but the kitchen sink, where the "kitchen sink" is the cellular radio itself. Sadly, the 4329 sticks with single-stream transmission to conserve battery life -- no MIMO here, folks -- but considering the 802.11g alternative, we'll take what we can get. The chip's already being sampled (and hopefully being integrated into future products) by Broadcom's customers with mass production following on sometime in 2009.

[rock99rock @ Dec 9th 2008 12:24AM]

I bet Qualcomm is looking mighty close at this chip.

[RoboDan @ Dec 9th 2008 12:59AM]

Broadcom sucks

It's what DELL uses in their crappy, low-range wifi cards

It's what cheap wifi manufacturers put into their sh*tty underperforming wifi cards

Stick to Bluetooth, Broadcom, where your incompetence with range is encouraged.

[who? @ Dec 9th 2008 12:26AM]

The next iPhone will have this.

Just wanted my thoughts heard, 3 2 1 & low rank!

[nerdtalker @ Dec 9th 2008 12:32AM]

Considering the fiasco with choosing an immature radio stack for the current 3G iPhone, I doubt they'll chose something this cutting edge, but rather something more tried-and-true.

Plus, apple has never been a fan of the whole FM radio thing.

[who? @ Dec 9th 2008 12:37AM]

@nerdtalker

I'm afraid you are mistaken on that point. The chip in the iPod touch is capable of bluetooth, wireless b/g, and FM radio. They'll put this in their next generation and simply do what they did to that chip in the touch (feel free to Google more info on that topic, it makes me too sad).

[Billy @ Dec 9th 2008 12:32AM]

11n in a phone? I'm sorry, but there is just no need for such a thing. If you think there is, you are a ridiculous person - that's all there is to it.

[ethana2 @ Dec 9th 2008 12:45AM]

yet

[who? @ Dec 9th 2008 12:45AM]

This would be more for compatibility than increased speed. I'd want this, if only so I could throw out my old b/g router in favor of my 'n'.

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 9th 2008 1:04AM]

Not in terms of speed, but in terms of range, it's useful. Also, N is compatible with B and G...

[Sohip @ Dec 9th 2008 1:26AM]

Don't forget that 802.11n doesn't just means more bandwidth (50mb/s) but also means more coverage (8x to 12x more coverage than the 802.11g) which what I'm looking forward for it.

[Jesse S @ Dec 9th 2008 12:35AM]

Maybe that might have something to do with the n spec not being finalized yet, and thus subject to change, and thus (at least, one would think) a waste of time/money due to the risk that the standard could change more?

[andres @ Dec 9th 2008 12:56AM]

im in ur protocols transmittin ur bits.

[Joe @ Dec 9th 2008 1:39AM]

I would like to see something like this integrated into more phones... I don't know how well it will integrage with the iPhone (since apple can't even seem to support stereo bluetooth properly...or at all!) but it sounds very promising for something in the 2-3 year range. I do like the idea of integrated fm transmitters as well, but that might put a good number of accessory makers out of business!

[Renegade Fanboy @ Dec 9th 2008 4:22AM]

My bet would be on Nokia for this chip. All the new N-series devices (N78, N79, N85) are sporting full Bluetooth (stereo audio, sending files, tethering), FM receiver and FM transmitter - so it would be a logical next step to also include 802.11n.
They have the a properly working stack for everything except the "n", so Nokia could be the fastest bringing this to market.

Rumor says, that the Nokia N97 will include the new Broadcom chip (via Scobleizer).

[Kasi Viswanath @ Dec 9th 2008 6:13AM]

Bluetooth 3.0?

[Sharif @ Dec 9th 2008 12:05PM]

All Ur Protocols Are Belong To Us!!!

[Alan @ Dec 9th 2008 2:14PM]

oh god, now i have to deal with broadcom in phones as well. Why won't they die off the face off the planet. Please Atheros kill this company.