Broadcom announced the availability of its newest wireless combination chip that enables mobile phones to support more media and data applications without impacting size or battery life. A variety of products based on the Broadcom BCM4325, a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/FM chip, are already on store shelves. Now the newest member of this combo family, the BCM4329, adds the Wi-Fi technology and FM transmit capabilities to enable even more powerful applications in smaller devices.

As mobile phones become more media-centric – with cameras, full-featured browsers and enhanced audio capabilities – many consumers want to share photos, videos, music and data between their portable devices and other electronics such as TVs, PCs, printers, remote speakers, headsets and car stereos. These applications can benefit from the new 802.11n standard, which offers higher throughput, more robust connections and much greater coverage than previous Wi-Fi technologies.

The BCM4329 includes both FM transmit and receive capabilities. FM transmit enables consumers to stream music directly from a personal media players (PMPs) or mobile phone to car stereos or home theater systems without having to purchase special adapters or use bulky cables. The BCM4329 also integrates Bluetooth, which is already a ubiquitous feature in mobile phones and PMPs, enabling hands-free communications with wireless headsets, cordless data synchronization and stereo music streaming to headphones and speakers.