Atheros’ new mobile chipset allows you to turn that mobile phone into a mobile wireless router. Made possible by Atheros’ Radio-On-Chip for Mobile (ROCm) platform, the new tech features the company’s AR6002 chip that gives Wi-fi routing capabilities to a mobile phone.
The new tech is listed to extend the device’s battery power while online by consuming 70% less power while active, and near-zero power during standby, compared to solutions that need an active Bluetooth or USB connection for providing mobile internet on laptops and other devices. The AR6002 platform features a 2.4 and 1.4/5GHz radio frequency and Wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g connectivity and integrates a RISC processor for smart functions.
The NEC N-06A, via Japan’s NTT DoCoMo is the first phone to sport the new Atheros platform. The slider features a rotating 3.2-inch touchscreen, an 8 megapixel cam, a TV tuner, and the ability to send 3G-based data over a Wi-fi connection.
More ROCm-based mobiles should be coming out soon, as the AR6002 is designed to work with other Linux- and Windows-based mobiles.
