Last week we reported that Philips have teamed up with MetaLink to further their Connected Home. Today LG have got in on the act.
MetaLink has demonstrated the delivery of multiple HD video streams through the integration of Metalink's WLANPlus(TM) chipset in the LG set top box, at the Korean Cable Television Association show.
I'm sure LG and Philips will not be the only manufacturers to embrace wireless technology, as it definitely seems as if it will play a major role in consumer electronics, as elsewhere, in the next few years.
What is a little worrying is that some companies seem to be running ahead with this new 802.11n wireless protocol, and yet the actual ratification of the standard by the Wi-Fi Alliance will likely not take place until late 2007.
What we don't want is nearly-standards-compliant gear than ends up locking the consumer into one manufacturer's set of products.
I may be proved wrong, but, although this was not true of earlier generation "MIMO" products, I think the time is now right to go for "draft-n". Certainly for products that have yet to be released.
The standard is close to being tied up even if the ratification process takes longer. Any changes should be fixable in firmware. The benefits for HD far outweigh the risks.
That sounds feasible Jon.