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News
Issue #2002 - 16
(April 2002)
(Updated Apr.
24, 2002)
TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft Introduces Soft Wi-Fi
System
At the recent Windows
Hardware Engineering Conference, Microsoft touted the benefits of
its Windows-only version of 802.11, Soft Wi-Fi, its latest idea in
wireless home networking.
With Soft Wi-Fi, the tasks of the Wi-Fi radio, the most expensive
component of the Wi-Fi system, are reassigned to either the modem
that lets laptops access the 802.11 network or the laptop itself.
Microsoft is looking at Soft Wi-Fi to lower the radio’s price tag.
Wireless LANs require a radio tower, about the size of a beer
can, to connect mobile devices equipped with PC cards to the
Internet via a high-speed phone line or DSL.
Setting up a home wireless network, with a 300-foot radius, is
relatively inexpensive, costing $500 to $1,000, of which the radio
generally accounts for a quarter of the cost.
For more information: http://www.microsoft.com
MobileInfo.com’s Comments & Advisory: Soft
Wi-Fi is a good idea but what we suspect that Microsoft is really
trying to test is software-driven radio (SDR's) concept because that
represents a sizeable future market, especially for multi-band
network connectivity..
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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