No longer just for gadget geeks, phone calling over the Internet -- known as Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP -- is going mainstream, driven by consumer market entry of such telecommunications giants as AT&T and entertainment heavyweights like Comcast. Via [mercurynews.com]

The wireless fidelity revolution is about to take over downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Via [msnbc.msn.com]

Electronic health record devices don't interfere with heart pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, says a new Mayo Clinic study. Via [forbes.com]

According to IDC, wireless mesh networking will be the next step in WiFi development. Although wireless mesh is now mainly offered by start-up companies, IDC expects established network vendors to follow Nortel and Motorola and announce their own mesh solutions, or cooperate with one of the mesh start-ups in the near future. Via [linuxelectrons.com]

Analysts see a down year for chip sales in 2005, but not for the ones that enable wireless networking. Via [kansascity.com]

Rural communities will be offered increased choice of wireless broadband options following a government decision to open up more of the spectrum. Via [vnunet.com]

Canary Wireless LLC, a Chicago start-up, has launched the first hand-held device that not only detects Wi-Fi hot spots and measures how strong their signals are, but can tell whether they are open for subscribers or available for a free ride to check e-mail. Via [suntimes.com]

Open sesame. The magical command Ali Baba used to open the door of a robbers' den has taken on a new meaning at a Canadian law firm. Via [theglobeandmail.com]

Wi-Fi is on the rise. With at least seven locations in McKinney and nearly 50,000 worldwide, wireless internet hotspots are becoming as ubiquitous as the corner McDonald's ... literally. Via [zwire.com]

Britain's first Wimax service, with the potential to offer broadband to mobile devices, is launching in Kent in early 2005. Via [vnunet.com]

NETGEAR Inc. has unveiled a wireless device that bridges the gap between PC digital content and home-entertainment systems utilizing 802.11 technologies and a wealth of hardware connections and file formats. Via [techweb.com]

The 11a flavour of Wifi is faster in practice than 11g even though both are rated at the same 54Mbits/sec, according to wireless-networking pioneer Symbol Technology. Via [vnunet.com]

The Open Park Project’s free, WiFi hotspot on Capitol Hill has drawn support from members of Congress and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration as the organization begins to raise funds for expansion. Via [gcn.com]

Car makers BMW, Audi, Daimler Chrysler, Volkswagen, Renault and Fiat have won a German government grant to help develop the basis for a standard method for car-to-car wireless data. Via [theregister.co.uk]

Claiming to be the nation's first "real" mobile city, Kaohsiung City yesterday inaugurated wireless Internet connections in parts of the city to provide free access in the public. Via [taipeitimes.com]