Wireless
devices are
hot
New standard
reaches critical mass, offers cool devices
by ALAN ZISMAN (c) 2001
First published in Business
in Vancouver,
Currentz section, Issue #622 September 25-October 1, 2001: GearGuide
column
Even in the
current cool market for computer upgrades, wireless is hot. And while
some
proposals for wireless connectivity seem not quite ready to be hatched,
so-called IEEE 802.11b networking has reached critical mass. The
standard
lets notebooks and other computers connect to a business network or the
Internet without needing to run cables. Now prices have dropped and a
wider
range of computers and PDAs can be hooked in. 802.11b networks (also
known
as WiFi) can be set up in businesses or at home, and wireless networks
are starting to show up in hotels, airports, universities and other
public
spaces, allowing users to connect to the Internet without having to
plug
in.
Look, ma!
No wires!
Linksys
is one of several companies with a complete range of WiFi products,
aiming
at home offices and small businesses. Typically, WiFi networks are
built
around one or more base stations that are connected into an existing
Ethernet
network, or a cable or DSL modem. Linksys offers two models. The
Etherfast
Wireless 4 Port Switch ($450) combines a WiFi base station with a fast,
four-port Ethernet switch, making it a good way to link both wireless
and
wired systems to the Internet or to an Ethernet network.
If you don't
have any systems to connect using traditional cables, its Wireless
Network
Access Point Hub is about $70 cheaper. Yet another base station
combines
wireless access, wired access and a print server. Both can be managed
from
any computer with a Web browser and offer optional encryption for added
security.
It's easier
than ever to mix and match, so Apple
Airport-connected Macs can connect to these base stations along with
PCs
equipped with WiFi wireless network adapters from different
manufacturers.
Linksys sells a range of adapters for notebooks and desktops, including
PC Card models for notebooks and a USB model that can be plugged into
this
convenient external plug on both notebooks and desktops, both about
$200.
They also offer an internal PCI adapter ($79) for desktop computers,
letting
users plug a notebook PC Card wireless adapter into these models.
(Frankly,
I can't imagine who would want one of these!)
Wireless
in the Palm of your hand
Xircom,
an Intel company, is making it possible to connect Handspring
Visor and Palm M500/505 PDAs
into
WiFi wireless networks, giving users the same network and Internet
access
on their handheld computers.
The Visor model,
like other devices using that PDA's Springboard ports, plugs in and
instantly
installs its drivers along with a Web browser.
The Palm M500
and 505 are the first expandable models from that company and Xircom,
in
July, released its Wireless LAN Module for that standard as well. The
company's
also promising a model for Compaq's Ipaq series of Pocket Windows PDAs.
All models include optional encryption and cost about $450.
Want a phone
with that?
Not a WiFi networking
device, but another way to connect without wires is local company Arkon
Technologies' Parafone (www.myparafone.com). Another
Springboard
module, it offers easy plug and play to turn a Visor PDA into a 900-MHz
cordless telephone ($179).
By adding a
telephone to its PDA, Visor owners are able to make use of the
handheld's
address book, highlighting an entry and tapping the dial button added
by
the Parafone.
The Parafone
won a Best of Show award at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show,
and includes a base station/charger. It uses the Visor's screen for
call
display on call waiting and includes 50-entry speed dialing, calling
card
support, a 1,000-entry call history and hands-free headset support.