Wireless Networks
IR - direct exchange of data between devices, 1 meter. Laptop and printer, PDAs
Wi-Fi or IEEE 802.11a 54Mbps, 802.11b 11Mbps and 802.11g 54Mbps and now 802.11n 100Mbps
Benefits - ease of setup, cheaper
Drawbacks - slower speeds, speed decreases with distance, security - WEP
Bluetooth - up to 10 meters (short distance), up to 8 devices, devices automatically sense other devices so communication is seamless, create a "personal-area network (PAN), or piconet"
Examples: mouse & keyboard, speakers, cell phone and headphones, DVD, TV, computer, cordless phone.