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The Doom of Wired Peripherals
techie writes "Is the doom of wired peripherals near? According to an article on CoolTechZone.com, it sure seems that way and Apple is leading the way. Quote: "Device cables are becoming a thing of the past, and that development couldn't come soon enough. We're ready to unplug, and we want to make the most of it. Apple has recognized this desire for consolidation and the benefits of a wireless lifestyle, and they've reacted effectively. When the iMac was first introduced, people went gaga over the fact that the monitor, computer, and speakers were all in one enclosure, thus eliminating the need for two bulky pieces of hardware and multiple cables. Just when you thought that was incredible enough, WiFi comes along and gives us blazingly fast Internet connections through the air, and Bluetooth rises up to allow all of our devices to sync with one another and the operating system without any wires."
Douglas Adams (yes, that Douglas Admas) wrote a piece called "Dongly Things" (it's a bit dated). He agrees with you.
Skeptic and Reason
Tesla had a plan to broadcast electricity a hundred years ago!
peace
Synk
I would say you had a bad sampling. I have a logitech wireless keyboard mouse combo, the one that came out right before they went to laser optics. It has a base station for the mouse. Yes, I have to recharge the mouse every week or so, depending on use, but there's a red LED that lights up so I know I'm getting low before it craps out completely. Nothing beats being able to prop your feet up and type from a keyboard in your lap (particularly added with the peace of mind of not having to worry if you will pull the cable out of the back of your box).
With that said, there is still room for improvement. Rumor has it that the advent of wireless USB will bring about wireless monitors. Good idea. However, while keystrokes being transmitted over wireless is a mild security risk, milder still using a RF connection like the one I have, instead of a more robust Bluetooth connection, the risk is still there. So, in that vein, imagine using a wireless monitor connection, which, depending on how it is done, is potentially putting out a ton of information through what will be (I'm almost positive) a unsecured-by-default wireless connection. This way an attacker no longer has to sift through random packets to find valuable information, but can simply watch you enter your credit card dumbers in real time. I sincerely hope they have a novel approach for this problem, because I see it as being a potentially huge security risk.
I will say I am thankful for the reduction of wired under my desk. With 3 monitors and 2 CPUs, you can barely see the floor behind my desk. With my own experience as a wireless network engineer leaving me a little leary about high fidelity digital connections, (specifically the bajillion points of failure possible in such a scenario) I am looking forward to increased innovation in this area.
Raging in an online forum won't do anything for the world around you. To see change, you must take action.
I'm wondering if it's really progress if everything we own are wireless, doesn't anybody think about the load of batteries it will take to make this equipment work?
Even if you use rechargeable batteries, i'm pretty sure a company that has over a 1000 employees will be very pleased to buy a pack of 4 AA batteries at 20$ plus another 25$ for the charger + the time for the I.T to go around spendind their time changing batteries instead of actual work.
I mean seriously, it may be practical but it is not cost effective or even realistic to imagine keyboard/mouse.
How many batteries does a keyboard take and a mouse? you'll ahve to spend 40$ every 3 months for each user so they dont have wires on their desktop?
i think not
I just acquired Logitech S510 wireless desktop. It looks fantastic, the keyboard has a fantastic key feel, but the problem is that because it's wireless, it's a fraction of a second delayed compared to wired keyboard.
:(
When playing a videogame (NFS: Underground 2 for example) there is a delay between when the key is pressed and when the game reacts.
This is still quite unacceptable, and regrettably, i will be returning my beautiful keyboard
If energy was free and didn't have to come from some power plant that poluted the environment, then yeah, wireless me up. Problem is that yoru wireless keyboard takes AA batteries that have to be manufactured, charged, and disposed of. What, so you don't have to look at a thin cable running to the edge of your desk? My keyboard cable doesn't kill me.
Yeah, I see WIFI in notebooks as making sense...but on a desktop? I don't move my desktop...I ran CAT5 to my office and I get faster performance and don't waste electricity on the WAP or my box.
Same goes for peripherals like wireless printers...HUH? Is this a real problem?
I only came here to do two things; kick some ass, and drink some beer...looks like we're almost out of beer.
Why is this modded funny? It's getting there.
They call me the wookie man, I guess that's what I am
No kidding. Even if it simply involves disabling and re-enabling the WiFi card every few months to get it to properly connect to the basestation, it's too much. Sure, I'll put up with it, but it's far beyond what I'd expect my grandparents to have to go through to ensure that their WiFi works right.
This guy's the limit!
I'll jump on the bandwagon when we can get rid of the power cable. When is power over wireless coming to computer peripherals?
A few years ago I read about a technology that does intend to get rid of the power cables. It's a mat you can plug in and then place on the desk. Any compatible device placed on top of the mat is then able to draw power directly from that. The interesting thing is that you can place several devices on it at once, each one draws the appropriate voltage and current for its operation, and the whole thing is safe for you to put your hands on. The last I heard, there was already a small version for sale (maybe 12x12 inches) and you could also get simple conversion kits for devices like phones and music players, so that you could charge them up by just placing them on the mat.
Ah ha! I found it, the MobileWise Wire-Free Electric Power: ABC news story, another link, and one more. The company's website (mobilewise.com) appears to be something else entirely now, though.
Ah yes, I will always love Mr. Tesla's comment to another much more famous inventor, which I'm paraphrasing.
If Mr. Edison thought a little harder, maybe he wouldn't perspire so much.
Tesla never got the credit he deserved... sometimes the world needs wild-eyed visionaries.
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
Exactly.
This slashvertisement was brought to you by Duracell and Energizer. I like having cords on my keyboard and mouse, I'd rather not have the batteries die at critical moments thank you very much.
I'll accept wireless networking when it has the signal integrity of coaxial copper or optical fiber. I'm pretty sure that will never happen.
Wireless technologies are a gimmick for the lazy home consumer who has too much money to spend on frivolity.