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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Parthus Technologies announced Bluehand in January 2001 as a licensable platform combining GPS and Bluetooth for mobile devices. It was aimed at cellphone makers and semiconductor companies—not consumers shopping for a finished Parthus gadget. The roadmap also contemplated adding digital audio broadcasting (DAB).
What was Parthus Bluehand?
Bluehand was a planned integration of Parthus’ NavStream GPS and BlueStream Bluetooth technology. According to EE Times’ January 2001 report, the design centered on one baseband chip built around an ARM processor core and one radio chip. Parthus presented the combination as a platform for customers to license and incorporate into their own products, rather than as a consumer device sold under the Bluehand name.
The idea came from cellphone customers asking Parthus to combine GPS and Bluetooth. The company’s chief operating officer, Kevin Fielding, said, “The combination of GPS and Bluetooth has come from the cellphone customers of Parthus.”
How was GPS and Bluetooth integration supposed to work?
Bluehand proposed bringing location and short-range wireless capabilities together in a coordinated hardware and software platform. The distinction is integration: Parthus described shared platform components, not a GPS receiver simply paired with a separate Bluetooth accessory.
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- Navigate with Garmin Caliber GPS data on the mobile device of your choice.
- Glow 2 can receive position information from both the GPS and GLONASS satellite constellations, allowing it to connect to up to 24 more satellites than devices that rely on GPS alone.
- This allows Glo 2 to lock on to satellites approximately 20% faster and remain connected even at high speed.
| Element | Role in the platform | What the source establishes |
|---|---|---|
| NavStream | GPS | A GPS radio platform that Parthus licensed to Maxim for cellular handsets and automobiles; a September 2000 report described it as a single-chip GPS radio. EE Times |
| BlueStream | Bluetooth | A licensable Bluetooth IP platform covering radio, an RF-to-DSP interface, a lower-link controller, protocol software and an optional audio codec. EE Times |
| Bluehand | Combined platform | The proposed GPS-and-Bluetooth integration, with a single baseband chip and a radio chip; DAB was also on the roadmap. EE Times |
The DAB idea illustrated how the connections might complement one another: the 2001 report described a proposed use in which a 1 Mbit/s Bluetooth link could pass a web address while a 2 Mbit/s DAB link downloaded the page. Those figures describe the report’s use case, not a measured Bluehand product benchmark.
Was Bluehand a consumer device or a chip platform?
It was a chip-and-IP platform concept for business customers. Parthus’ model was to license technology to semiconductor vendors and device makers, which could use it in products such as phones. The available announcement describes an integration roadmap, not a retail launch, consumer price, or finished Bluehand handset.
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- WAAS GPS receiver
- Simultaneous GPS and GLONASS reception
- Up to 10 position samples per second
- Bluetooth connectivity to up to 5 devices
- Automatic route recording
The underlying technologies had their own licensing context. In September 2000, Maxim licensed NavStream for cellular handsets and automobiles. In March 2001, Hitachi licensed BlueStream baseband and protocol-stack elements for system-on-chip products, according to EE Times.
What did Parthus’ GPS technology do?
Parthus strengthened its GPS capability through its April 2000 acquisition of Symmetricom’s GPS division. In the acquisition announcement, Parthus said the technology used both satellite and wireless-network information to locate a mobile device to within 5–20 meters in a wide range of calling environments. That was the company’s stated capability in 2000, not a Bluehand field-test result. The announcement positioned location services for smartphones, PDAs and pagers. Parthus acquisition announcement
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- WIRELESS BLUETOOTH GPS & UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY - Instantly strengthen your GPS signal on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, or Windows. This water-resistant receiver connects via Bluetooth in seconds and works with the free GPS Status Tool app to provide high-precision coordinates and real-time position updates.
- WIRELESS BLUETOOTH GPS & UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY - Instantly strengthen your GPS signal on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, or Windows. This water-resistant receiver connects via Bluetooth in seconds and works with the free GPS Status Tool app to provide high-precision coordinates and real-time position updates.
- 8.5-HOUR BATTERY & COMPLETE ACCESSORY KIT - Built for long-range travel with 8.5 hours of continuous battery life. Each unit includes a USB charging cable, an adjustable wearable strap, and a secure non-slip pad designed to stick to vehicle dashboards, boat consoles, or cockpits to ensure the device stays in place.
- RELIABLE HIGH-ACCURACY TRACKING & PERFORMANCE - Upgrade any mobile device into a professional navigator with a consistent GPS lock. This receiver is perfect for remote areas where internal device sensors fail, ensuring you maintain a stable signal and accurate positioning during critical missions, flights, or off-road trips.
- EXTENDED 2-YEAR WARRANTY COVERAGE – Enjoy with peace of mind knowing your GPS unit is backed by a standard 1-year warranty. Gain an additional year of protection by registering your product, ensuring reliable, long-term support.
What happened to Parthus Technologies?
Parthus later combined with Ceva. ParthusCeva launched operations on November 1, 2002, describing Bluetooth and GPS among its platform areas. Ceva’s launch announcement places Bluehand in the history of Parthus’ mobile-technology licensing work; it does not establish that Bluehand itself became a consumer product.
Quick Recap
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- Connects wirelessly to iPad iPhone and other Bluetooth enabled smartphones, tablets and laptops
- This allows GLO to lock on to satellites approximately 20% faster and remain connected even at high speed
- GLO can receive position information from both the GPS and GLONASS satellite constellations, allowing it to connect to up to 24 more satellites than devices that rely on GPS alone
- It offers up to 13 hours of battery life and a position update rate of up to 10 times per second (update rate may be limited by the host device)
- GLO, vehicle power cable, USB cable, Li‐ion battery pack. Compatible devices: BlueChart Mobile, Fishing My-Cast, Garmin SteelPilot Onboard
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- Connects wirelessly to your mobile device: iPad, iPhone and other Bluetooth enabled smartphones, tablets and laptops to provide precise position information
- Combines GPS and GLONASS satellite receivers for precise location data with Bluetooth Wireless Technology
- It has up to 13 hours of battery life to keep your position on long trips
- Suitable for pilots, mariners, hiking, cycling and the automotive industry
- Charge Garmin Glo 2 easily with the included USB cable or optional 12/24 V vehicle power cable
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