Agere Systems, best known as a semiconductor company that lends its storage, mobility and networking technologies to OEMs, today introduced a new consumer-level product that bridges all the aforementioned items. The BluOnyx mobile content server announced today enables mobile users to share and stream music, video and business files to or from electronic devices ranging from cell phones, PCs, digital cameras, game machines, DSL routers and many more. The BluOnyx server is a peer-to-peer device that does not require a PC for its operations but can move content to and from a PC using USB and wireless connectivity.

Devices can connect to the BluOnyx server wirelessly through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections or using USB cables or SD cards and can be accessed directly or through a home or corporate network where it is seen as a drive letter for easy file transfer by the operating system.

With the BluOnyx server, users will be able to wirelessly access and display stored content, broadcast and stream videos to one or more cell phones, backup pictures, music, video, emails, documents and images from cell phones, cameras and PCs. When the BluOnyx is connected to the Internet, it can enable online access for cell phones and PDAs that have Bluetooth or USB connectivity.

Storage will range from 1 GB to 40 GB (1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB will be flash-based; 10 GB will be 1” HDD-based; and the 40 GB will be 1.8” HDD-based). The device has no built-in screen, but instead displays its contents on a Java-enabled cell phone, PC or TV. On a full charge, the battery lasts up to 12 hours. The BluOnyx has dimensions of 90 mm long by 60 mm wide, or about the footprint of a credit card, and varies between 6 mm and 15 mm thickness depending on memory capacity. The 40 GB version of the BluOnyx server weighs about 140 grams.

“The BluOnyx server opens up an entirely new world that will no longer be PC-centric or limited to one company’s closed version of an entertainment device. It truly deserves to be called a breakthrough as it brings a newfound freedom to consumers through an open platform,” said Nik Bahram, lead for the BluOnyx server product line. “Users can have their content with them, exchange content between their various mobile and stationary devices and share their private content with friends in social settings.

“Not to be outdone, the savvy business person looking for a highly mobile and valuable addition to their business tools will see the BluOnyx server as a must-have for quick access, sharing and presentation of their content on a number of displays with or without a PC,” added Bahram.

Agere developed the system, software and key semiconductor chips in the device and is encouraging third parties to build hardware and software on this open platform. Agere currently is in discussions with consumer electronic device makers and cell phone service providers regarding manufacturing and private labeling unique products based on the BluOnyx server system and industrial design.

“We are talking to some of the leading brand names in consumer electronics to bring this product to many market segments,” said Rudiger Stroh of Agere’s Storage Division.

The retail price of the BluOnyx server is expected to range from $99 to $250 depending on memory capacity. We will bring you more after we get our hands on the preliminary versions of the BluOnyx server at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.