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News that's changing the Wireless World!
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Tuesday, October 28, 2003 |
Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
PC World's Extensive G Testing
PC World outdoes itself with comprehensive 802.11g round-up: This set of articles from the November 2003 issue, posted several days ago, compares a host of consumer 802.11g equipment, performing lab-based tests -- and finding that there's still a lot of compatibility problems even among equipment from the same vendor. They show speed charts, discuss overall issues, and address some side topics quite extensively and well. Less formally, I've found the same thing. Nomenclature varies, sometimes among two devices of similar function. Entering WPA keys is obscure. Installing WPA support tricky (some Centrino models can handle it; some can't). Some Web-based configuration software fails or behaves poorly because of a reliance on JavaScript: I found that ZoneAlarm Pro interferred with the Linksys virtual private network wireless gateway's ability to be configured, for instance....
Source Link
10:54:20 PM 
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Source: Computer World
Warp-speed wireless
New 802.11g networks are fast, flexible, and more secure, but setup glitches remain. PC World tests nine Wi-Fi kits to find the best gear for today's applications -- and tomorrow's.
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9:12:30 PM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
Intel Ready to Ship a/b Adapter
News.com reports Intel ready to ship a/b adapters: What's the demand for mixed 802.11a/b networks? I'm not sure, but Intel is following the market here. The a/b/g adapters (really a/g with appropriate backwards compatible b support within g) are due out next year....
Source Link
4:37:52 PM
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Source: C|Net
MSN continues its move away from DSL
Microsoft is pulling out of efforts to sell broadband Net access to customers in SBC Communications' geographic market, the company's latest move to refocus its broadband strategy.
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12:45:30 PM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
The Netherlands to Get More Wi-Fi
Mobilander, a Wi-Fi operator, made a deal with Gemtek to build hotspots in five towns in the Netherlands: It seems that Mobilander wants to differentiate itself by offering a very secure network, which will support 802.1X from the start....
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11:10:38 AM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
WLAN Switch Vendors Starting to Die?
Since WLAN switch developers started coming out of the woodwork, it was clear that the market couldn't support all of them: Trapeze and Vivato have both laid off workers recently, leaving some to wonder if they are struggling. Trapeze made a name for itself by spending liberally on marketing and what some in the industry have described as a massive booth for trade shows. A company spokesperson in this article says that the cut backs happened on schedule. Trapeze cut 30 percent of its staff and Vivato laid off 25 percent. I would be surprised if Trapeze was one to go under straight away as it seems to have a robust product. But as we all know, the best product doesn't always win. This will be an interesting space to watch as acquisitions and failures are bound to start happening soon....
Source Link
11:10:37 AM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
McDonald's May Spread the Wealth
McDonald's hasn't yet chosen Wi-Fi service providers for the rest of its restaurants: But when it does, the choice may not spell failure for operators that don't get the contract. That's because many McDonald's are franchise shops and the owners may have some leeway as to the operator they choose for Wi-Fi....
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11:10:36 AM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
Medieval Times not Stuck in the Dark Ages
Medieval Times, the restaurant chain that lets you eat without utensils, is using Wi-Fi to help the wait staff: Instead of running back to the kitchen to place an order, servers use a handheld device to transmit orders to the kitchen. Execs at the restaurant say that if the capability allows them to serve one more round of drinks a night, it will pay for itself in a year....
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11:10:34 AM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
Another Speakeasy-like Service in the Czech Republic
The WSJ reports on a service in the Czech Republic that lets users sell their Wi-Fi connections to their neighbors (link good for seven days): This offering isn't as good as a similar one from WideNet and Wia in the Czech Republic which will do the billing for customers. The WSJ article covers a company called CzFree.net which requires customers to buy over $800 worth of gear and then allows them to sell connections to their neighbors. There is no mention of CzFree.net handling the billing, which I think is pretty key. I wouldn't want to have to deal with trying to make my neighbors pay me for something. Also, it doesn't appear that CzFree.net has a deal with a landline broadband provider, like WideNet does, which makes the legality of reselling connections questionable....
Source Link
11:10:33 AM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
Atheros Scores Xbox Deal
Atheros will supply its 802.11g chip for the Xbox Wireless Adapter: The deal should offer a boost to Atheros, which also announced that it has sold its 10 millionth wireless chip....
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10:59:41 AM
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Source: Wi-Fi Planet
Next Gen Wireless Video
Work continues apace from chipmakers determined to put wireless multimedia in your future. Hopefully we'll have it in the home entertainment center before they hit a third generation of products.
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10:07:10 AM
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Source: Wi-Fi Networking News
Verizon's Edge, I Mean, EvDO on the Competition
Cell carriers are pretty far behind on 3G, but Verizon's early deployment may give it an edge -- I mean, a competitive advantage: While GSM operators struggle with GPRS (10 to 50 Kbps) and are rapidly trying to get EDGE fully deployed (100 Kbps), Sprint is staying the course with 1xRTT (50 to 70 Kbps), and T-Mobile and Nextel don't seem to be in the running for anything more interesting. Verizon Wireless's early 3G deployment (1xEvDO, 300 to 500 Kbps) in San Diego and Washington, D.C., may pay off, Matt Maier of Business 2.0 notes, because they simply have this service now at a fixed rate. The advent of cell phone number portability about to be engaged ties in with this: Verizon is the only cell company to back it. They want people to switch over, sign up for data, and then lock them in with long-term contracts and the only real 3G that will have any scope in 2004. Great plan! (All speeds more or less real world, not the advertised ones.)...
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7:41:00 AM
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Last Update: 11/1/2003; 11:29:55 AM
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