(WIreless-FIdelity) A logo from the Wi-Fi Alliance that certifies network devices comply with the IEEE 802.11 wireless Ethernet standards. In the early 2000s, Wi-Fi/802.11 became widely used (initially 802.11b, then 802.11g), and within a short time, all laptops and other handheld devices came with Wi-Fi built in. Earlier laptops can be Wi-Fi enabled by plugging in a Wi-Fi adapter via the USB port or PC Card. For details about how Wi-Fi fits into a home or office network, see wireless LAN. For details about the transmission technology, see 802.11. See Wi-Fi Alliance, WiMAX, Wi-Fi Multimedia, Wi-Fi camera, Muni Wi-Fi, wireless mesh network, hotspot and cellular vs. Wi-Fi.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Mossberg's review of iPhone 3G: Newer, Faster, Cheaper
- The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg has been testing the iPhone 3G for a couple of weeks and today posted his review. As you'd expect, he loves the "between three and five times as fast" 3G networking, "wireless synchronization with corporate email" and the App Store which gives iPhone 3G...
- Blog posts 2008-07-08
- One prediction about climate change challenges another
- One prediction about climate change challenges anotherWhen myths collideThere never was a hole. It was a thinning of the ozone layer.Any first year chem student could tell you it's impossible for ozone to disappear in the presence of sunlight, since ozone is created by the bombardment of short UV with...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-07
- HP Pavilion dv6915nr
- We've long been fans of HP's Pavilion line of laptops, which combine an attractive design with media-friendly features at a fair price. By those criteria the Pavilion dv6915nr, a configuration available only in retail stores, is a no exception. It features the familiar glossy black case, light-touch media controls, and...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- Dell 1525-122B
- Note: This review is part of our Back to School 2008 roundup, covering specific configurations of popular laptops that can be found in retail stores.As middle-of-the-road as a laptop gets, Dell's Inspiron 1525 is an excellent go-to choice for basic computing, especially if you take the time to configure a...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- Dell 1420-123B
- Note: This review is part of our Back to School 2008 roundup, covering specific configurations of popular laptops that can be found in retail stores.We were very fond of Dell's 14-inch Inspiron 1420 laptop when Dell launched it in the spring of 2007, as we find that 14-inch models offer...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- Samsung SGH-T339 (T-Mobile)
- Photo gallery:Samsung SGH-T339Several months after it came out with its HotSpot @Home service, T-Mobile introduced two new Wi-Fi-equipped cell phone, the Nokia 6301 and the Samsung SGH-T339. Though the features between the two phones are largely similar, the SGH-T339's red flip design calls more attention to itself. Call quality...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- Phillips DC912
- When it comes to iPod speaker systems, there are at least three criteria for most shoppers: compatibility it needs to work with your particular iPod model; form factor (it needs to fit into a given space, be it a spacious shelf or tiny nightstand); and value (good sound for the...
- Product reviews 2008-07-03
- Say it ain't so AVG, say it ain't so: AVG LinkScanner = Badware?
- Say it ain't so AVG, say it ain't so: AVG LinkScanner = Badware?AVG Freeware Ain't So Free After All...Man, am I shocked that AVG is doing this. Of course I don't use the product but have made recommendations in the past to folks who could not afford to purchase good...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-03
- Google Talk optimized for iPhone
- Google Talk optimized for iPhoneIM as a free substitute to SMSIM could only be a free substitute if you could receive messages without having to keep the browser/client open all the time on your phone. If I understand the iPhone 3G's push platform properly, they could get it to work...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-03
- News to know: Searching Silverlight; IE 8; Dell; Google vs. YouTube
- Notable headlines: Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft: Silverlight content searchable, too Ryan Stewart: Brian Goldfarb talks about Silverlight 2 and Deep Zoom with Michael Cot LineRider releases a Silverlight 2 version Microsoft steps up self-policing of its OSI-approved source licenses ...
- Blog posts 2008-07-03
- Linksys WRT610N Wi-Fi router delivers dual bands, simultaneously
- If you're the type who likes to wirelessly stream HD video from your PC to your TV, or if you live in a densely populated environment that's packed with interference in the 2.4GHz range, listen up. Linksys has unveiled a dual-band Draft N Wi-Fi...
- Blog posts 2008-07-02
- Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile
- Photo gallery:Logitech Pure-Fi MobileIf there's one thing Logitech does right, it's progress. The accessories company has been churning out iPod speakers for years, and its experience in this area shows in each new product. Rather than resting on its laurels, Logitech chugs forward with tweaks and improvements. Such is the...
- Product reviews 2008-07-02
- What to do with your first generation iPhone (updated)
- With the launch of the iPhone 3G a little over a week away and new rate plans published many people are wondering what to do with their first generation iPhones. An AppleInsider story lists a bunch of options including handing it down to a family member or...
- Blog posts 2008-07-02
- Linux-based cell phone drops July 4
- The Openmoko Neo Freerunner, a Linux-based cell phone that "will help enable ubiquitous computing in the 21st century," will be on sale starting July 4, with shipping to begin July 7. According to company specs, the phone utilizes GNU/Linux and comes with core software for dialing, SMS...
- Blog posts 2008-07-02
- GoodLink adds support for smartphones, Wi-Fi
- GoodLink adds support for smartphones, Wi-FiInteresting...I didn't write this.How strange to see my name on an article that I didn't write. Especially as I am a former ZDNet employee. Maybe somebody at ZDNet should get in touch with me.
- Discussion threads 2008-07-02
- A boon to the Webtop: Adobe makes indexing Flash in search easier
- A boon to the Webtop: Adobe makes indexing Flash in search easierWow!This is a really big deal for Flash developers. We've been waiting a long time for this. No more alternate content solutions and having SEO dweebs trying scab your clients over this issue.Now, all we need is Flash on...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-01
- News to know: Apple patches; Adobe; XP-Vista; Yahoo
- Notable headlines: Ryan Naraine: Apple plugs 25 Mac OS X security vulnerabilities. David Morgenstern: Apple releases Leopard 10.5.4 update Apple update notice. Robin Harris: Why computers fail Adobe: Adobe Advances Rich Media Search on the Web ...
- Blog posts 2008-07-01
- Asus Eee PC 901 (Windows XP)
- We've been impressed by the Asus Eee PC line from the very first 7-inch model in the fall of 2007, and it seems as if every time we turn around, there's a new version hitting store shelves. This 9-inch version, the
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Wi-Fi in cable set-top boxes coming (not so soon)
- Wi-Fi in cable set-top boxes coming not so soonoh yea! Makes it that much easier to wire tvs into the bath and above the.bed. heheThe whole house will be penetrated! :)
- Discussion threads 2008-06-30
- T-Mobile bringing iPhone to The Netherlands
- T-Mobile will introduce the iPhone in The Netherlands. There are three plans, the cheapest being €30 per month. All plans will have unlimited data, 2 Mbit down and 384 Kbps up. You also get free access to 1,500 Wi-Fi hotspots. Not a bad deal, especially compared...
- Blog posts 2008-06-30
Neighboring Terms
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