Analysts believe that although it's a relative newcomer, USB On-the-Go has a chance to succeed where other technologies, even wireless technologies such as infrared, have not. "The fact that it isn't wireless -- although you could argue it's more intuitive than wireless -- is a little bit inconvenient," said Brian O'Rourke, senior analyst with InStat/MDR. Still, having its heritage in USB could help. "I'm hesitant to endorse the idea that USB On-the-Go is a world beater," O'Rourke said. "But then again, it's part of USB, which has been a world beater." O'Rourke said USB On-the-Go chips have already exceeded his shipment forecast. Bluetooth could give USB On-The-Go a run for its money. But manufacturers say the USB On-the-Go is faster and less expensive, costing less than $5 per device to add. Philips sells a standalone chip that adds USB On-The-Go to a device for about $3. "It's a good value-add for convenience and functionality," Philips' Mehtani said. Should the new technology catch on, manufacturers could cut even more of the cost of adding USB On-The-Go by incorporating the technology into the system chip or chips that run their devices, Mehtani said. But even as USB On-The-Go nears introduction in devices, manufacturers are still working out some issues behind the scenes. Drivers -- software programs that are used to enable hardware devices to interact -- still need to be written in order to let various kinds of PDAs, cameras, MP3 players and other gadgets communicate with each another. It's a process that requires time and cooperation between many companies. And once this software is in place, the devices need to be tested with one another to ensure interoperability. Both tasks are ongoing, using the USB Implementer's Forum, the organization that creates USB standards, as a conduit to test drivers and devices for interoperability.
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