Author: Wayne Slavin

Two US academics have promised to dramatically boost wireless networking security using a revolutionary identity authentication system. Via [vnunet.com]

Cisco has invested in wireless hotspot aggregator iPass, along with voice recognition firm Nuance and Lumera, a firm that makes polymers used in wireless antennae, biotech chips and electrical-optical converters. Via [itweek.co.uk]

Philip Howard has always thought of Seattle as a well-connected city. Now he has the map to prove it. Via [seattletimes.nwsource.com]

On nearly a daily basis, we're seeing numerous municipalities, such as Atlanta and Philadelphia, announcing deployments of citywide public Wi-Fi networks. In fact, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is claiming the largest metro-wide network, with over 100 square miles of service area. I was even surprised that my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, has recently established public...

The wireless broadband standard called WiMax won't be ready for prime time for a couple of years, but when it does come out, Internet phone service could be the cash cow for providers, according to a study. Via [news.zdnet.com]

The Paris transportation authority has deployed a context-aware Wi-Fi network that customizes data feeds by the employee and even the time of day. Via [informationweek.com]

OnAir sealed an agreement with Airbus to provide its in-flight communications system as a standard option for its aircraft, which could lead to in-flight wireless chats. Separately, Boingo Wireless inked an agreement that will enable its customers to roam in mid air. Via [wirelessweek.com]

Nomadic workgroups may soon be trading in their memory sticks and floppy disks for software that enables peer-to-peer interconnectivity between Windows laptops, tablet PCs and pocket PCs. Via [searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com]

Because it can be deployed without government regulation, WiMAX has the ability to significantly alter the nature of the telecommunications industry, according to a study released Wednesday by market research vendor In-Stat. Via [informationweek.mobilepipeline.com]

Lower prices and killer apps such as voice-over-WLAN (VoWLAN) are the main reasons wireless networks are proliferating in enterprises. VoWLANs, for instance can save enterprises loads of money while enabling mobile telephony throughout a facility. Via [informationweek.mobilepipeline.com]

Several telecom vendors and service providers, under the auspices of the International Packet Communications Consortium, have established a working group to define reference architectures for mobility across wireline and wireless networks. Via [commweb.com]

Lusora has developed a nifty new twist on solving the "I've fallen and I can't get up" problem. The company rolled out its LISA pendant, and a series of monitors, which use the new Zigbee low-speed mesh network to provide security to elderly people who want to live at home, and their family. Via [extremetech.com]...

T-Mobile has pledged to take its global Wi-Fi hotspot tally to 20,000 sites by the end of the year, including both fixed locations and mobile access points on UK trains connected to the net via WiMax. Via [theregister.co.uk]

Starting with the southern California area, Netopia will soon be offering its hosted hotspot solution to restaurants and cafés that want it, through a business partnership with Sysco Food Service, the giant food supply company. Sysco will market the service to its customers. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]

Legra Systems was one of the first victims of the ongoing consolidation of wireless LAN switch vendors. When the company folded, its intellectual property (IP) was sold to NextHop of Mountain View, Calif.—which also hired most of the Legra engineering team. The plan now: to sell the improved-upon Legra software to equipment companies that want...