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New standard allows you to wirelessly connect gadgets without a router

By | October 15, 2009, 11:43 AM PDT

A new wireless connection standard will allow any Wi-Fi-enabled gadget to connect wirelessly with another without having to go through a wireless router.

Expected in mid-2010, Wi-Fi Direct will automatically detect and connect a Wi-Fi-enabled device to another within a 300 foot range, including laptops, cameras, televisions and printers.

It’s the future of connectivity between our various electronic devices — and it may just put Bluetooth out to pasture.

The Wi-Fi Alliance, which includes major tech corporations such as Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Sony, Dell and Cisco (maker of Linksys routers), says the technology will provide the same speed and range as traditional Wi-Fi, except now it’s with a peer-to-peer connection.

That means Wi-Fi will be a lot more pervasive — and it won’t be nearly as hard to find a hotspot.

The next problem: how do you secure it all?

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Andrew Nusca

About Andrew Nusca

Andrew Nusca is editor of SmartPlanet.

Andrew Nusca

Andrew Nusca

Editor

Andrew Nusca is editor of SmartPlanet and an associate editor for ZDNet. Previously, he worked at Money, Men's Vogue and Popular Mechanics magazines. He holds degrees from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and New York University. He based in New York but resides in Philadelphia.

Follow him on Twitter.

Andrew Nusca

Andrew Nusca
Andrew Nusca does not hold any investments in the companies he covers.
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Until then. . .
In the meantime - I'm enjoying my Netgear Rangmax WNDR3700
router. It has been great for my office. We are all getting our
information so much faster!!
Posted by love2helpu
15th Oct 2009
0 Votes
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RE: New standard allows you to wirelessly connect gadgets without a router
lets make it even easier for hackers. We will need even more software, ad ware, virus protection and now need it on our TVs, cameras, printers, maybe even the house.
Posted by ben2025@...
16th Oct 2009
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If common sense security is built in
then this would be a big boost for national free wi-fi and opens up a huge
potential for killer apps.
Posted by Hobyx
16th Oct 2009
0 Votes
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This sounds more like a new security nightmare to me.
At least a router gives me a chance to lock things down at a central
location. But soon every device is going to have to fend for itself
against every other device, foreign and domestic?
Posted by JohnMcGrew@...
16th Oct 2009
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RE: New standard allows you to wirelessly connect gadgets without a router
Don't we already have a Wi-Fi Ad-Hoc connection? That's more or less the same I think. And if the Wi-Fi Direct is eminent then the securing the devices might be similar to bluetooth.
Posted by AsadHamdani
17th Oct 2009
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