WiFi stepping on Bluetooth territory

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=73&e=1&cid=73&u=/zd/20020625/tc_zd/939232">http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=73&e=1&cid=73&u=/zd/20020625/tc_zd/939232</a><br /><br />Companies are beginning to produce small wearable WiFi devices, an area once thought to be Bluetooth territory.<br /><br />"Companies like Wi-Fi start-up Vocera Communications are focusing on merging telephone networks with Wi-Fi's ability to deliver data over short ranges. On Tuesday, the company said it was teaming with chipmaker Intersil to create a pager system that uses Wi-Fi wireless networking equipment for voice capabilities and 4-inch-long rectangular "badges" worn on someone's clothing. People will be able to operate the badges hands-free. But they need to be attached somewhere close to the face, like a person's collar or sleeve."<br /><br />4 inches long is still a bit big, but I don't know how much of that is WiFi vs. the battery. Still, I am all for smaller "PANish" WiFi devices. Source: Jonathon Blackwell

[jeffmckean]

I hate to say it, but it's the precursor to the Star Trek: TNG communicator!

[RobertCF]

That is exactly what I was going to say! I know it's supposedly hands free, but there's got to be some sort of on/off system (unless it's so goods it's voice-activated). Oh, man, I can see it now!

[kaiden.1]

Well if Bluetooth doesn't hurry and get it together WiFi just might become the dominant leader and leave it behind. WiFi works now and it is more available to companies, and after all that is the market that will make it mainstream item. Consumers with bluetooth a few cell phones here and there aren't going to cause blue tooth to stick around. Just an interesting possibility? :!:

[chris234]

I'm not sure I'd consider this a PAN-style application, as the impression I got is that these devices are not talking among themselves in a personal area, but are small, wearable appliances using your typical WLAN infrastucture.

[innersky]

Well if Bluetooth doesn't hurry and get it together WiFi just might become the dominant leader and leave it behind. WiFi works now and it is more available to companies, and after all that is the market that will make it mainstream item. Consumers with bluetooth a few cell phones here and there aren't going to cause blue tooth to stick around. Just an interesting possibility? :!:

A few cell phones ? I think in Europe there are more bluetooth cell phones around than you think.