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Wires and Web
For those just joining in on the world... it's burdensome. We want wireless. And we've proven it through demand. Wireless mice, wireless keyboards, wireless Internet (the Miracle!), wireless wristwatches, the list goes on... But for some reason, our desk, albeit our home, is still not devoid of lines: to trip on, to tug on, to be CHAINED on. That's [cough] about to change. May I first present: Wireless USB. You probably know what those three letters mean. If you don't, here's a brief recap: Ultra- Sticky Babies. Seriously, everything that won't work without a computer (your camera, iPod, webcam, printer, flash drive or external hard drive) is about to lose the wire. Bluetooth has been used for years to transfer a little data over a little area and WiFihas mastered Internet communications, but everything else was left behind... until now. A group consisting of Intel, Microsoft, Phillips, Samsung and HP have been developing the new standard since February 2004. The architecture of the new technology allows up to 127 devices to connect directly to one host. A wireless adapter/hub has already been made for existing USB 2.0 products by Belkin. However, that's early adapter prairie: $200 for 4 ports and 30 feet of range. But the real magic will come when Wireless USB hits laptops. Alright, the wand already waved. Dell and Lenovo have started offering it in laptops like the Inspiron and ThinkPad. While I'm on the subject of laptops, forget the whole USB thing and think about something else: Never having to recharge. Laptops, cell phones, cameras, the whole nine meters. Yes, wireless power. Imagine a truly "wireless" laptop. Internet. Peripherals. Power. It would be conquering that last frontier of laziness. Remember rewinding VHS tapes? It's sorta freaky to think about. Who would spend the time? Who wants to actually plug their microwave into the wall??? Is it possible? How long would it take? In fact, it's already available. It's coming within the next few months. Yes, you just went fishing; here's the catch: it's practically a mouse pad. Explanation: A United Kingdom company called Splashpower has developed a way to charge technology just by setting a gadget down on a pad. More than one gizmo can charge at a time. So... it's not truly wireless but it is getting great reviews from the press. If you're talking about the real thing, yes, it's here. The plane just arrived but the passengers have yet to enter the terminal and go home. In June, researchers at MIT demonstrated a new system of wireless power by generating a field of energy in a coil that lit a lightbulb a few meters away. The concept has been around for ages, but until now, an energy source was unable to provide power, no matter what lie in the path. It's much like being able to access wireless internet between different floors of a house. Using frequencies and electromagnetic waves, it actually works, and, in the future, will likely expand beyond a simple distance into a longer one. Take it a bit further. This July automakers Toyota and General Motors announced their intention to introduce plug-in hybrid vehicles into the production line, likely within fiveyears. If wireless power picks up steam, imagine forgetting gas altogether as the world converts further to electricity. Park your car in the Wal-Mart parking lot and receive a complementary recharge. Wirelessly. As you shop. Give it time, but the future of power isn't all about wind and the sun and nuclear energy. It's about what consumers use and how they want it. Pretty soon we'll be groaning at having to plug in our refrigerator.
To comment on this article, e-mail Harrison at hkeely@ gmail.com.
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