Lilbits: WiFi 6E, touchless controls, and Google’s new use for Soli radar?

We’re likely to start seeing routers, PCs, smartphones, and other devices with support for the new WiFi 6E standard soon, and a few days before the official start of the 2021 virtual Consumer Electronics Show, the Wi-Fi Alliance has announced the launch of a certification program for devices featuring the new technology.

Meanwhile, Intel has unveiled new tech that will allow you to interact with previously touchscreen-only devices without touching them. And Google’s next smart home device might use radar to track your sleep patterns.

Here’s a roundup of recent tech news from around the web.

• Wi-Fi Alliance delivers Wi-Fi 6E certification program [press release]
  The Wi-Fi Alliance is now certifying Wi-Fi 6E devices that will be able to make use of the 6Ghz band as well as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz in order to reduce congestion and interference while offering high-speed data transmission. Expect to see WiFi 6E devices soon.
• Wi-Fi is getting its biggest upgrade in 20 years [The Verge]
  The new 6 GHz band has the same 9.6 Gbps theoretical top speed as 5 GHz, but because there’s a lot more space in the new band, there will be less congestion and you’re more likely to get closer to those top speeds. The Verge has a pretty good explainer. There’s also a video from the Wi-Fi Alliance below.
• Turn a Touch Interface Touchless with Intel RealSense TCS [Intel]
  Intel introduces RealSense Touchless Control system that brings touch-free controls to formerly touchscreen kiosks or other devices using cameras and software.
• Sources: Google launching a new Nest Hub in 2021 that uses Soli radar [9to5Google]
  A Google device with Soli technology and Zigbee wireless support passed through the FCC recently. If 9to5Google is correct, it’s probably a new Nest Hub smart display with support for new features including sleep tracking by radar

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