Wednesday, June 19, 2002
WiFi coming to an appliance near you
Posted by Ed Hansberry in "ARTICLE" @ 05:14 AM
http://news.com.com/2100-1033-937074.html
Not content to let Bluetooth encroach on its networking territory, WiFi is making a move to be included in appliances. For example, "in one [WiFi] trial under way in Michigan, called "OnStar@Home," wireless networking plays an integral role. The four-month project will let a car pulling into the driveway automatically arm or disarm a home's security system, turn on or off lights in the home, or adjust the home's thermostat. IHA, General Motors, security firm ADT, Panasonic and a handful of other companies are participating."
Houston has a trial going in 150 homes too. "Wi-Fi-powered devices similar to Web tablets have replaced the scribbled notes stuck under refrigerator magnets holding reminders about late soccer practices. Barra said these systems can use Wi-Fi to shuttle a short message to children's cell phones if their ride home is going to be late or automatically reconfigure an entire schedule based on a parent's sudden late meeting at work. "
Emergency workers are getting into the act as well. "IBM and Boeing have helped create "droppable access points" for police and emergency officials. In a recent trial, according to IBM manager Suzanne Rutkowski, emergency officials put Wi-Fi access points around the Pentagon, creating an on-the-go network."
WiFi - a working wireless solution.
Not content to let Bluetooth encroach on its networking territory, WiFi is making a move to be included in appliances. For example, "in one [WiFi] trial under way in Michigan, called "OnStar@Home," wireless networking plays an integral role. The four-month project will let a car pulling into the driveway automatically arm or disarm a home's security system, turn on or off lights in the home, or adjust the home's thermostat. IHA, General Motors, security firm ADT, Panasonic and a handful of other companies are participating."
Houston has a trial going in 150 homes too. "Wi-Fi-powered devices similar to Web tablets have replaced the scribbled notes stuck under refrigerator magnets holding reminders about late soccer practices. Barra said these systems can use Wi-Fi to shuttle a short message to children's cell phones if their ride home is going to be late or automatically reconfigure an entire schedule based on a parent's sudden late meeting at work. "
Emergency workers are getting into the act as well. "IBM and Boeing have helped create "droppable access points" for police and emergency officials. In a recent trial, according to IBM manager Suzanne Rutkowski, emergency officials put Wi-Fi access points around the Pentagon, creating an on-the-go network."
WiFi - a working wireless solution.
