In Japan, Sharp has integrated IrSimple, an upgrade version of IrDA to its existing model SH901iC. The integration allows people to transfer file at 500kB per second to another IrSimple devices. The size of the phone is not affected by the changes. IrDA (Infrared Data Association), an industry organization that develops and standardizes specifications for infrared communications, has decided to formally adopt the IrSimple as its standard.

Main Features of IrSimple

• Faster data transmission speeds (at least 4 to 10 times faster than existing protocols)
• Improved efficiency of the protocol by reducing latency until a receiver/transmitter pair is ready to communicate
• Implementing IrSimple can be done by adding and/or upgrading software for existing IrDA protocols
• Backward compatibility with existing IrDA-enabled communications incorporated into devices or equipment

Read the announcement in August here

http://www.slashphone.com/news/?m=show&id=2453&page=1