The problem with wireless peripherals is simple: security. It's a lot harder to tap a cable than it is to intercept a signal, and should true standards emerge (as in Bluetooth) then all communications between the peripheral device and the CPU will have to be encrypted. And if a security hole is found in the protocol itself, well, suddenly there are several open corridors into your box.

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.

(link) [Slashdot]

07:45 /Technology | 1 comment | permanent link

An interesting analysis, to say the least. How far are we willing to go to stop this, and how far will the "cheaters" go to get around the obstacles we put in place? We'll have a clue to the answers when somebody starts an escrowed urine bank ...

Floyd Landis' drug test results may shock Tour de France fans, but game theory says doping will be a part of professional sports for a long time. Commentary by Bruce Schneier.

(link) [Wired News: Top Stories]