Intel stake in UK firm aids drive to single Bluetooth chip

And brings Bluetooth in every toaster nearer...

Intel's VC arm, Intel Capital, has bought a stake into Cambridge, UK-based Bluetooth startup Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR). The company, which was founded in 1998, is due to ship its first product, a fully integrated 2.4GHz radio, baseband and microcontroller on one CMOS chip, in the middle of this year. Integration of Bluetooth functionality into single chips is vital if the standard is to become ubiquitous, linking PCs, notebooks, PDAs, phones and anything else you'd care to name. By funding CSR Intel intends accelerate the development of low-cost, highly-integrated, low-power Bluetooth components. No doubt Intel Capital, which has a Midas-like record, also intends to make a few bucks. CSR is currently backed by 3i, Amadeus Capital Partners and Gilde IT Fund - Vulture Capitalists all. ®