TDK Systems and Sony Ericsson have formed a partnership that will see the companies collaborating on new Bluetooth products and applications, looking beyond wireless email and Internet access.

As part of the global agreement, the companies will share research and development expertise to increase the functionality of wireless technology for corporate and consumer markets.

"The partnership covers further development of wireless interfaces between TDK Systems and Sony Ericsson products," said Phillip Vanhoutte, corporate vice-president of marketing at Sony Ericsson. "Our shared aim is to further enhance usability and mobile connectivity for business users. We envisage a number of new applications to deliver business advantages."

The partnership will also extend to the development of joint sales strategies enhancing both companies' existing channels, with shared technical resources devoted to meeting the specific requirements of corporate users and network operators.

"Interoperability and usability between Bluetooth devices has always been our ultimate objective," said Nick Hunn, managing director at TDK Systems. "As a result, our products are already highly compatible with Sony Ericsson phones. This partnership will unlock additional product features when Sony Ericsson and TDK Systems products are used together."

TDK Systems will supply Sony Ericsson with Bluetooth USB Adapters and PC Cards from its 'go blue' range, as well as TDK Mobile and Dialer software. Sony Ericsson is the leading provider of Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, including the highly successful T68i color-screen handset with GPRS and MMS. The applications enable users to compose SMS messages on a PC and to back up the information stored on their mobile phone's SIM card to a PC.

In addition to its wireless email and Internet browsing applications, Bluetooth technology also enables users to engage in ad-hoc networking during meetings and conferences.