Globe-spanning partnership signals end to annoying mobile phone interruptions in public

Charlotte, N.C., Adelaide Australia (Jun. 28, 2000)-- Thanks to a shared zeal for courtesy, a global solution to the growing irritation of mobile phones ringing in public places will soon be available with the development of 'quiet zones' using a new technology called Q-Zone©.

BlueLinx, Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., and the Centre for Telecommunications Information Networking (CTIN), part of the University of Adelaide in Australia, have formed a strategic partnership to co-develop Q-Zone, a politeness feature for mobile phones, and to collaborate on future wireless applications.

Q-Zone is an optional location-based courtesy feature that allows public venues to control audible interruptions from mobile phones and other wireless electronic devices. This patent-pending system creates "quiet zones" in restaurants, churches, theaters, and conference rooms by automatically lowering alert tone volumes while users are inside the zone. When users leave the zone, alert systems return to normal settings. Q-Zone is based on Bluetooth™ wireless technology.

Wireless handset and consumer electronics manufacturers will soon be able to provide their customers with a wider range of product features thanks to a strategic alliance between these two top Bluetooth wireless technology applications developers.

"By collaborating with CTIN, we gain access to a recognized center for Bluetooth excellence," said Jeff Griffin, President and CEO of BlueLinx. "As mobile phones continue to provide more services, consumer demand for new features like Q-Zone will also increase. By combining our efforts with CTIN we can provide consumers and the wireless industry with timely solutions to their needs."

According to company officials, the cooperative effort will streamline research and development of additional Bluetooth location-based products, allowing manufacturers to bring new applications to market faster.

"Q-Zone is our first joint project and represents an effort at bridging the gap between consumer demand and industry goals," said Professor Reg Coutts, Director of CTIN. "Q-Zone is the perfect vehicle to address consumer concerns about courtesy assistance and the wireless industry's desire to respond to market demand. We are pleased to be working with such a visionary Bluetooth solutions provider as BlueLinx."

Bluetooth wireless technology is set to revolutionize the personal connectivity market by providing freedom from wired connections. It is a specification for a small form-factor, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable and handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, and network industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes promoter companies 3Com, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and more than 1800 adopter companies. For more information on Bluetooth, visit the official web site at http://www.bluetooth.com.

BlueLinx, Inc., is a wireless innovations company based in Charlotte, N.C. BlueLinx identifies and develops emerging markets in consumer electronics based on wireless personal area networking (PAN). For more information about BlueLinx products or services, call 704/341-3323 or visit www.bluelinx.com.

The University of Adelaide is an Australian leader in education for professions, research and research training. The Centre for Telecommunications Information Networking (CTIN) provides innovation in personal communications. CTIN's research strengths and its influential links with the telecommunications and related industries have forged an excellent reputation for high-quality strategic and applied research, consulting and industry training. For more information about CTIN visit http://www.ctin.adelaide.edu.au.

For more information, please contact www.bluelinx.com.

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Editorial Contact:
BlueLinx, Inc.
Mary Beth Griffin
marybeth@bluelinx.com


CTIN
Collette Snowden
+61 (08) 8303 3222