HomeRF -- Not Dead Yet

By Michael Foley
iApplianceWeb
(07/25/01, 08:22:10 AM EDT)

Most of the recent press about HomeRF has been about companies such as Intel abandoning it in favor of 802.11. HomeRF 2.0 is a wireless networking standard designed to meet the broadband, multimedia needs of home users. It operates in the same 2.4GHz spectrum as 802.11b but uses frequency hopping spread spectrum instead of direct sequencing. But rumors of the death of HomeRF have been greatly exaggerated, and Motorola, SimpleDevices, and uniView are continuing to integrate it into their products.

SimpleDevices, Motorola's Broadband Communications Sector, and uniView are all members of the HomeRF Working Group. Through a recent agreement between SimpleDevices and Motorola, Motorola is integrating SimpleDevices' SimpleFi streaming audio technology into its wireless home networking product family. The two companies are also exploring additional wireless home networking products and streaming media applications to distribute computer-based content throughout the home.

SimpleDevices also recently announced the following new and upcoming HomeRF-based multimedia devices:

• SimpleFi: HomeRF technology to stream CD-quality audio wirelessly from a PC to a high-fidelity stereo system.
• SimpleAuto: HomeRF technology to stream personalized content to automobiles. Content, from audio books to MP3s and traffic reports, is synchronized between the car and the home wireless network when the car pulls into the driveway or garage.
• SimplePad: HomeRF technology to turn a PDA into a high-speed wireless home WebPad.
• SimpleClock: HomeRF technology to stream personalized content wirelessly to a specialized alarm clock. Users wake up to their choice of information -- weather, sports, traffic, stocks, or horoscopes.

uniView Technologies Corporation will soon offer wireless video on demand through its 310 VOD digital HomeRF-enabled set top box.

Link:
HomeRF