Wi-Fi without access points to arrive in 2010

The Wi-Fi Alliance is working hard to create a new industry specification in order to expand the capabilities of Wi-Fi. Called Wi-Fi Direct, the new specs will make it possible to connect directly to other Wi-Fi devices without the need for a unifying access point, aka "infrastructure mode." When finalized, Wi-Fi's new personal-area capability is expected to pitch it squarely against Bluetooth, which was created precisely with this in mind.

Under development for the past year, Wi-Fi Direct should work over existing hardware with just a firmware update. Of course, what is more likely to happen is that new Wi-Fi radio chips will be sold with inherent support of the new protocols. In the meantime, Wi-Fi Direct is expected to be finalized before the end of the year, with certified products to ship by mid-2010.

Edgard Figueroa, executive director of the Wi-Fi Alliance rounds up on what Wi-Fi Direct can do: "It can revolutionize what people do with it."

- check out this article at Network World

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