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Next-gen NFC could bring longer range, faster wireless charging and other improvements

NFC technology enables what we sometimes called “contactless” payments, device pairing, and other functionality. But since the current range of NFC connections is limited to 5mm (or about 0.2 inches), you pretty much have to tap two devices together in order to establish a connection. That could change in the coming years though. The group […]

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Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 promises faster speeds, lower latency

Qualcomm says its new wireless solution with support for the emerging WiFi 7 standard could arrive in the second half of 2022. The Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 subsystem makes use of new technologies in the latest version of the WiFi standard to deliver peak speeds up to 5.8 Gbps and less than 2 milliseconds of sustained […]

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MediaTek begins demonstrating WiFi 7 (a spec that hasn’t been finalized yet)

It’s only been a few years since WiFi 6 technology was finalized and the first routers and mobile devices with support for 802.11ax started to hit the market. And now Taiwanese chip maker Mediatek says it’s already demonstrating WiFi 7 hardware to customers and industry partners. WiFi 7 is still a work in progress and […]

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Wireless Samsung DeX mode may be on the way (use your phone like a desktop)

Samsung’s DeX software allows you to connect certain recent Samsung phones and tablets to an external display and use them like desktop computers. Soon you may be able to that without the need to run a cable from your phone. Xda-developers discovered clues pointing to wireless DeX mode in the Samsung Tips app. The “tip” […]

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Verizon’s first 5G MiFi mobile hotspot costs $650 (data not included)

The first 5G wireless networks are starting to come online, and the first 5G-capable smartphones are starting to hit the market. Now Verizon is also launching its first 5G mobile hotspot which you can use to connect a laptop, tablet, or other devices to Verizon’s high-speed cellular network. It comes at a cost though — […]

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WPA3 WiFi security standard is here… but you might not see it for a while

As promised, the Wi-Fi Alliance is rolling out the biggest updated to WiFi security in more than a decade. The group has finalized the specification for the new WPA3 security standard, and it will begin certifying hardware. The move should offer improved security for devices that communicate over a WiFi connection (like when your phone […]

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Comcast launches Xfinity Mobile wireless service

As expected, the largest cable company in the United States is launching a wireless service. Comcast’s new Xfinity Mobile service combines WiFi and 4G LTE for coverage, and with prices as low as $45 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data the service seems pretty competitive… but there’s a catch. Xfinity Mobile is only available as part […]

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Bluetooth 5 launches with longer range, faster speeds

Bluetooth has long been the go-to wireless spec for connecting gadgets over short ranges. It’s what you use to connect a smartwatch, fitness tracker, speaker, or wireless headphones to a smartphone. It can connect a mouse or keyboard to a laptop or tablet. But the folks behind the Bluetooth specification are eyeing the smart home […]