Nicholas Negroponte explains why Wi-Fi “lily pads and frogs” will transform the future of telecom. Via [wired.com]… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Commentary
Validating The Hotspot Model?
Announced rather quietly earlier in the summer, it looks like Toshiba’s Computer Systems Group (CSG) hotspot initiative is ready for phase two. The company seems poised to give the push toward increasing the number of public hotspots in the U.S. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading
Why Built-in WiFi’s Not Necessarily A Good Thing
Despite my feelings about who will find Tablet PCs to be really useful, I’ve decided to try using one as my main system. The Tablet PC I’ll be testing is a prototype of Acer’s 700MHz mobile Pentium III-based TravelMate 100. But the fact that it has built-in support for 802.11b-based wireless Ethernet–as all tablets should–means… Continue Reading
WiFi Hotspots Pose Threat To US 3G – US Bancorp
The success in the US of public wireless local area network (PWLAN) “hotspot” services is causing a rethink among wireless network operators, which are beginning to see hotspot growth as another reason to delay the roll-out of 3G services. Via [theregister.co.uk]… Continue Reading
History Lessons For Wireless Networks
Barnet in North London has much to recommend it but few would associate it with the history of UK technology. Via [news.bbc.co.uk]… Continue Reading
Small-time ISPs Jump On Wireless Bandwagon
It’s a national phenomenon: All over the United States, small-town and rural Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) are springing up, often because wireless is the only practical way to bring broadband Internet access to the areas they serve. These are not hobbyists using consumer-grade 802.11b equipment, but professionals hoping to make substantial money providing professional-level… Continue Reading
Wireless ‘Cloud’ May Offer Silver Lining
Wireless technology is a little bit like wind power, electric cars and voice recognition — for several years, it’s been “just about” to be huge. Via [cnn.com]… Continue Reading
Will UWB Be The Next Step After 802.11 And Bluetooth?
Ultra-Wideband technology has been used by the Government for close to 50 years for military radar and applications such as radar surveillance systems that can look right through walls and precision location equipment.… Continue Reading
CyberShuttle: Mobile Hotspot On Campus
Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi has obviously generated headlines for months with its rapid growth into homes, businesses, and public hotspots. Few innovations have struck a nerve as much as the CyberShuttle, a Wi-Fi-equipped bus originating from the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi–Cleaning Up The Kitchen?
Wi-Fi, it seems, is finally getting something else to do other than move files from place to place. Via [zdnet.com.com]… Continue Reading
The Next 802.11 Revolution?
The dream of some in the 802.11 community is to replace the hodge-podge scheme of disconnected wireless LANs with a floating system of self-forming, self-healing networks. And they think they can make that dream a reality in a few years. Via [internetnews.com]… Continue Reading
Wireless Broadband In A Box
Non-line-of-sight wireless systems promise strong signals for high-speed Internet access. Via [spectrum.ieee.org]… Continue Reading
Retailers Defend Low Level Of Security On Wireless LANs
More high-profile retail chains are being fingered for not fully securing wireless LANs installed in their stores. But several retailers said they’re not exposing any sensitive data, and some security analysts agreed that the risks don’t appear to be great. Via [computerworld.com]… Continue Reading
Wireless Networks Vulnerable To Intrusion
The rapid growth of wireless networks in homes and offices across the country shows that businesses and consumers are willing to unplug from their hard-wired networks in order to roam free. And evidence from computer security professionals indicates that most of those have not taken the steps necessary to protect their networks from intrusion by… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Sheds Its Blue Jean Image
Is Wi-Fi shedding its blue jeans for pin stripes as 802.11 looks to go commercial? Analysts and those in the trenches of fee-based hotspots see an inevitable trend as Wi-Fi availability goes nationwide. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading