Wireless Computing on the Go

Wi-Fi was probably one of the most revolutionary'access points' through which the computer can
transitions in modern times. Before the advent ofsend and receive network data.
Wi-Fi or wireless computing technology, usersAnother key component of wireless computing is
were tethered to their desks, routing everythingthe actual hardware itself, namely the laptop.
through a LAN line and restricted in where theyThere is some contention as to who actually
used their faster and more powerful computinginvented the concept of the laptop, but most cite
technology by how long their cables were. Wi-FiAdam Osborne as the originator of the modern
changed all that. Suddenly, you had a mobileday laptop in 1981, although the 'clam-shell' design
network that allowed people the freedom towas attributed to William Moggridge and
roam and still connect to the Internet and theirdeveloped for GRiD Systems Corporation in 1979.
emails.It is difficult now to imagine life without laptops,
A sociological transformationyet it has only been a little over 30 years since
It is easy to underestimate the impact of wirelesstheir original conception. But probably the biggest
computing. It has become a common sight to seeinfluence on wireless computing was the
cafés full of people all connected up to adevelopment of WAP for mobile phones, allowing
server, yet not a cable in sight. An entire businessanyone to connect to the Internet using their
has grown up around wireless computing - themobile phone technology. Today, we feel
Internet cafe - that lets anyone, for a smallshort-changed if our mobile phone can't connect
charge, piggyback the establishment's Wi-Fito the Internet on demand, 24/7.
connection and surf to their hearts content. It isWhat future for wireless computing?
even possible to connect wirelessly using a mobileThe question of wireless computing's future is
phone - a situation that would have beenuncertain. Many believe that wireless computing
unthinkable 25 years ago when you were lucky ifhas reached its full potential - we now have
you could connect to another phone number usingalmost universal coverage thanks to a global
the first mobile 'bricks', let along the fledglingsatellite system creating a web across the world
Internet.with very few 'blind spots'. Smart phones are
It has released the constraints of an old systemfeature-rich and future-proofed to a certain
of doing business. But how does wirelessextent, and laptops are smaller, lighter and more
computing actually work?processor powerful than ever. The only area that
There are two types of what has becomecan really see any form of development to
known as 'wireless' Internet - either connectionenhance wireless computing is in the field of
through a router (your standard Wi-Fi) or throughbattery-life. The most up to date laptops and
the mobile phone network. Wireless routers areNetbooks can achieve up to nine hours on one
the most common form of land based system,battery, but after that you are still forced to
and are fundamentally a small connection box thattether up to a power source to keep your laptop
allows a signal to be shared between severalrunning - hardly a 'wireless' situation by any
computers. Basically, computers 'tap in' to thestretch of the imagination. So for wireless
signal, which can be made even easier by adding acomputing to move to a new level and give us
wireless interface card. These usually come astrue autonomy and control about where and
standard with most new laptops, but can bewhen we use our computers, manufacturers
bought as a separate add-on. USB routers andhave to address the knotty problem of that
dongles also give anyone the power to be able toinfuriating 'low battery' symbol. Perhaps then we'll
tap into any wireless signal, creating their ownhave truly wireless computing on the go.