The future was supposed to have flying bubble cars. That’s what they promised us, and frankly we are pretty disappointed. Nonetheless, “talking” cars are a close second, and they may be here sooner than we think. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Commentary
Wireless NAS Seeks A Niche
Tritton Technologies this week launched WiFi NAS servers. Last month, Iomega Corp. began shipping its 100d wireless NAS servers and Cisco Systems Inc.’s Linksys enhanced its wireless NAS family. In August, Palmchip Semiconductor was born with the intention of creating chips for wireless NAS and other storage devices. Via [byteandswitch.com]… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Hotspots Hit With Page Redirect Royalty Claim
US wireless internet service providers have been hit with demands for hefty royalty payments from an intellectual property exploitation company claiming it owns gateway page redirection. Via [theregister.co.uk]… Continue Reading
Drive-Through Wireless
We’ve told this story in a dozen variations: The entrepreneur who envisions a new use for Wi-Fi, a moneymaker sure to tap into the demands of a previously unrecognized audience. Latte sippers. Boaters. RV drivers. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading
New WLANs Still Don’t Come Easy
Cisco Systems Inc. is set to introduce a dual-band version of its popular 1100 Series wireless access point, a boon for enterprise customers looking to support voice and data on WLANs. But a lack of tools to make the devices easier to configure and manage might still leave users wanting. Via [eweek.com]… Continue Reading
Switching Off The Lights?
Wireless LAN startups Legra Systems and Airflow Networks may be the latest victims of the consolidation underway in the Wi-Fi switch. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading
Wound Up In Wireless
With all the media coverage and vendor hype it is easy to believe we are in the middle of a wireless revolution. But don’t get carried away: while there is an opportunity to deliver value to customers through wireless solutions, resellers must present solid business cases and help customers around technical complexities Via [vnunet.com]… Continue Reading
ZigBee In Danger Of Falling Apart
The domination of the 802.16 process by a handful of vendors is often criticized, but at least it has resulted in a measure of unity that is looking increasingly enviable as the other key IEEE wireless efforts fall prey to dangerous fragmentation, which could significantly devalue the role of the standards body itself. We have… Continue Reading
WiMax Price Cuts Will Expand Sales
WiMax wireless broadband could be become the third most-used high speed Internet access technology after digital subscriber lines (DSL) and cable modems, according to market researchers at the Yankee Group. Proponents of WiMax wireless broadband technology see it supplanting Wi-Fi, with a high volume of chipsets cutting prices. But, WiMax prices will take some time… Continue Reading
Patent Landrush Threatens Wi-Fi Standards
We have examined before how patent lawsuits are threatening to stifle the adoption of wireless standards. Symbol, fresh from an intellectual property victory over rival Proxim, is the latest to assert sweeping licensing rights in 802.11 technology, while VIA is seeking to extend its proposed ‘intellectual property pool’ to WiMAX. Via [theregister.co.uk]… Continue Reading
Cracking The Wireless Security Code
Is it possible to deploy a secure wireless LAN with technology available today? That question preys on the minds of IT executives who are tempted to deploy enterprise WLANs, but are hesitant because of security concerns. Via [nwfusion.com]… Continue Reading
Drive-by Hackers Get Residents’ Hackles Up
The specter of drive-by computer hackers cruising upscale Scottsdale neighborhoods to cherry-pick wireless Web systems has residents worried about a new method of privacy intrusion and identity theft. Via [azcentral.com]… Continue Reading
Voice Over Wi-Fi: Too Green For The Enterprise
Everyone likes to get something for nothing, so the combination of Internet telephony and open wireless access can seem irresistible. Imagine a wireless phone that can work with networks all over the world, without needing a subscription to a service provider. Via [networkmagazine.com]… Continue Reading
How To Defeat The Wardriving Spamlords
When it comes to sin, Los Angeles has an unparalleled record of innovation. It is entirely apt that the city has seen the first conviction for the very 21st century offence of spamming via wardriven Wi-Fi hotspots. Even the words sound like random Hollywood sci-fi gobbledegook. The crime, however, is real. Via [comment.zdnet.co.uk]… Continue Reading
Why Can’t Wi-Fi Be More Like Star Trek?
Opinion: This year, all of the big mobile operators are starkly aware that they’re in a race. But “Star Trek” taught us never to make the mistake of assuming that people operate rationally. Via [eweek.com]… Continue Reading