In the wake of President Bush's recent call for a manned Mars mission, we may someday see astronauts walking on the red planet. And, thanks to some new technology NASA has been testing, it's quite likely those space explorers may be carting around Wi-Fi-enabled PCs. Via [wired.com]

Despite all the press and the hype, I believe that 802.11 is remarkably underhyped, relative to the massive impact this seemingly simple standard will eventually have on the entire wireless communications sector. Via [zdnet.com.com]

T-Mobile obviously understands that sometimes you have to give a little to get a little, or even a lot. Its latest Wi-Fi promotion with Borders Books & Music gives Wi-Fiers a sneak peek at the Grammy's. Via [wirelessweek.com]

Will we see the economics of the cellular industry appear in the fast growing national WiFi HotSpot expansion? If so, when?

"FREE WI-FI IS HERE," proclaims the banner atop the Rusty Pelican in Wallingford. Below, in tiny type, is the caveat, "While dining." Via [seattletimes.nwsource.com]

Cable broadband customers will have more incentive to take their home high-speed Internet experience on the road thanks to a new venture to be announced Monday by T-Mobile, the USA's top Wi-Fi provider, and Comcast, the No. 1 cable and broadband seller. Via [usatoday.com]

If you can send MP3 files wirelessly around your house using 802.11b, why not pipe music via Wi-Fi to your family car as well? Wi-Fi can transfer music to an MP3 jukebox in the trunk when your car is in the garage or parked nearby. Via [pcmag.com]

Calling ultrawideband technology "the next frontier of wireless," Matthew Shoemake is leaving his post as chair of the nascent IEEE 802.11n high-rate wireless LAN task group to head the latest UWB startup, WiQuest. Via [commsdesign.com]

If Schlotzsky's experience with free Wi-Fi is any indication, this phenomenon will likely spread. Via [entrepreneur.com]

The security of wireless networks used by businesses in London has improved significantly over the last 12 months, says a survey. Via [news.bbc.co.uk]

Interoperability problems are only going to get worse as more companies implement non-standard extensions to Wi-Fi devices. Via [insight.zdnet.co.uk]

Wi-Fi hotspot aggregators are increasingly appealing to IT organizations, as the wireless technology becomes a complement to existing enterprise remote access and broadband services, according to a report from META Group. Via [techweb.com]

While networking vendors were a bit slow to support 802.11a products, consumer manufacturers were not. "Home entertainment devices from companies like Sony are coming out with integrated high-speed connections, and they were designed to work with 802.11a, not g," said Michael Disabato, a senior analyst at the Burton Group. Via [technewsworld.com]

Wi-Fi providers who redirect users' web browsers to their own log-in page may soon have to cough up cash if they want to continue using the technique - US network access software company Nomadix has patented it. Via [theregister.co.uk]

Amtrak is expanding its Wi-Fi service to six Northeastern U.S. train stations, in a move to attract more business travelers. Via [news.com.com]