iPod chip maker is going wireless

Everyone who has been dreaming of a wireless-enabled iPod might not have to wait much longer. PortalPlayer, the company that makes chips for the iPod, is adding WiFi and Bluetooth support to its chips. They have teamed up with Cambridge Silicon Radio, or CSR, a pioneer in Bluetooth Technology. The two companies will combine PortalPlayer’s PP5022 audio chip and CSR’s UniFi WiFi and Bluetooth controller. The new technology will be shown off at the 3GSM Conference in Barcelona next week.

This new technology will allow users of PortalPlayer-powered devices to listen to them using Bluetooth headphones and to access the music on their computer without physically connecting to it. The speculation as to Apple’s plans for this technology is rampant, fueled by rumors of an event coming up that is said to be music related. Some people hope that this will be when they unveil their new wireless plans. The fact that the new chip from the two companies won’t be available until later this year may make that unlikely, but it doesn’t hurt to hope.