08-21-2003, 10:03 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
USB Gets Unwired
"Component manufacturer Cypress is touting a new wireless standard designed to free keyboards, mice and game controllers from their cables. WirelessUSB LS aims to allow any of these USB peripherals to operate wirelessly with your PC. Unlike similar wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, WirelessUSB LS isn't a networking solution. It works on a simple point-to-point basis. This allows, for example, your keyboard to talk to your PC, enabling fast, simple communication between a PC and USB device."
You know, as much as I decry all these wireless "standards" because they make life more complex for consumers, after reading this article I thought "Yeah, that's the way it's supposed to work." No configuration, no hassles. Go give the article a read, then let me know what you think about the concept. Ultra-low latency and ultra-efficient battery life? If there's sufficient market penetration (that's always the hard part), then I'm sold. I don't mind fighting with Bluetooth for more complex devices that require networking (like Pocket PCs and phones), but a keyboard, mouse, or printer? Just let me plug it in and get on with my day.
When you stop and think about it, Bluetooth is nothing like the cable replacement it's purported to be. Cables simply plug in, and work. When's the last time you had to configure your PS/2 keyboard port to work with a new keyboard? Or configured an AC power jack to work with a new monitor? You just plugged it in, and worked. Sure, you might need to install software to make the keyboard do certain things, but the port itself just works. Bluetooth, on the other hand, harkens back to the old days of yore with the configuration of COM ports and whatnot.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-21-2003, 10:12 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 713
|
|
I've always wondered why wireless solutions for cable replacement try to replace more than the wire. I would love to find a mouse or keyboard that came with a dongle that I plugged into the mouse or keyboard port on the back of the PC and worked in such a way that the PC had no idea of the difference. The keyboard and the dongle could be keyed together uniquely so that there is zero configuration and no chance for error.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-21-2003, 10:23 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Jimmy Dodd
I've always wondered why wireless solutions for cable replacement try to replace more than the wire. I would love to find a mouse or keyboard that came with a dongle that I plugged into the mouse or keyboard port on the back of the PC and worked in such a way that the PC had no idea of the difference. The keyboard and the dongle could be keyed together uniquely so that there is zero configuration and no chance for error.
|
That's the way most RF-based wireless devices work. Some require drivers to detect battery life and whatnot, but I know with an old Logitech keyboard + mouse I had, the damn thing worked from my BIOS screen! It was awesome, and exactly the way all wireless devices like that should work.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-21-2003, 10:25 PM
|
|
Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 276
|
|
I've played with a development kit from Cypress with these wireless USB devices and its pretty cool. I'd prefer Wirless USB to BlueTooth any day...
|
| |
|
|
|
08-21-2003, 10:37 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 161
|
|
absolutely about time for such a standard
I think this is what the consumer market really needed. No fuss, no muss. Just unwrap and start using. way to go.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-21-2003, 10:40 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 157
|
|
I think it would be nice if someone comes out a protocol where it's like Bluetooth, but each of the devices has a conductive connection point. The connection point can be used to touch the 2 device together, transfer each device's profile, driver, security information ect... Then, each time after, the device will automatically recognize each other because it has shaken hand before. Kinda like the cordless phone that we use, where you have to sit the phone on the base station first to begin use. That would make everything easier.
This would solve the problem of:
1. Secruity. Nothing beats the security of a wired device. By having the 2 device connect once, it can both be recognized as authorized partner. The 2 device can then transfer a special key to each other that authorized the use.
2. Ease of use. Even grandma knows how to touch 2 things togther.
3. Driver. Once the 2 device touch, it can transfer the required driver to each other. If the device are not meant to work with each other. they simply reject each other.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-21-2003, 11:12 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 123
|
|
Blame the over-smart idiots in every company
There's always some guy who believes himself to be smarter than he really is. That guy always overcomplicates the product vision and ends up providing features the REAL customers aren't asking for. You know who you are.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-22-2003, 12:14 AM
|
|
Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
|
|
Honestly? I say "easier said than done".  They market that it's easy to use, but has anyone described actual deployed implementations?
Bluetooth is complex because it needs to support a wide array of devices, and because wireless has, by definition, a greater need for security than wired. However, it can do a lot. Who is going to support this "standard"? What will this "standard" be able to do? How will you be able to be sure communications are secured without individual passcodes or bonding techniques? There are a lot of unanswered questions that this article poses. egads, can you shed any light on this?
Oh, and an analogy: if anyone remembers when USB first came out, it was a nightmare. We all think it's easy plug-and-play now, but it was far from that. So was Wi-Fi 5 years ago. Things take time to shake out and become easy. All that said, if they pull it off, more power to them. 
--janak
|
| |
|
|
|
08-22-2003, 12:34 AM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 135
|
|
I don�t have any experience with bluetooth, but I always had the idea that it would detect any device nearby automatically without doing any configuration. For example, If you walked into a office with your Bluetooth enabled PDA,a window would pop out on your PDA telling you that there is a BT printer, PC, cellphone or a fax available for you to use and you would not need to configure anything at all.
Is this how it works or is not that simple?
I have a WIFI network at home and although I think it could be more user friendly, I realize that networking is a bit more complicated for the average user to begin with.
This technology if implemented right, could be the next great thing.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-22-2003, 02:59 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 68
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
We all think it's easy plug-and-play now, but it was far from that. So was Wi-Fi 5 years ago.
|
i think wifi is still too flaky, still too cumbersome.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
