Superb rundown of Intel's entrance into the 802.11a market using Atheros chips in November: one of the big players in the corporate market steps forward to embrance 802.11a. A good point mentioned here that we've discussed earlier: 802.11a may not offer its top speeds at the same ranges that 802.11b can perform at peak, but it's still faster. Where 802.11b would drop to 2 Mbps, 802.11a could range from 2 to 12 Mbps, according to the article. Another account by internetnews.com.
I dispute the dual-radio-problem contended here: my editor over at Wired, Paul Boutin, says that engineers have told him that dual-radio cards are unlikely. Everyone I've spoken to and other news reports refute that: there's already a chipset in the works that could allow common components to talk to two radios, rather than requiring two entirely separate units. (See illustration in this article.)
A less-informed piece from Wired News on 802.11a's emergence: the writer doesn't quite get the numbers right, which muffs the overall point. 802.11a may not wind up being much different in price for comparable equipment. The prices quoted in the article are all over the board, as they don't distinguish between home gateways (which run $200 to $300), SOHO equipment ($200 to $600), and enterprise (several hundred to over a thousand).
Wi-Fi phones: you have to buy a system and it only works in an office setting, but it's one more step in the transition from ubiquitous networks to ubiquitous voice and data.
Wowee, more wireless in schools! Hip hip hooray!: can you tell that was sarcasm? This article hypes the fact that the schools are using wireless, only mentioning in passing what the wireless technology and computers are being used for. Writing, research, and a bit with video. Except for the last, I don't see the advantage over paper and books, which are remarkably cheaper, last longer, and can be shared more effectively. They also don't require subscriptions, and are generally peer-reviewed and have some authority (the books, not the blank paper). Don't get me started.
Dual radio card - I can believe that.
Dual radio antenna - I doubt.
Dual radio card with two antennas - ya maybe.....