Thursday, September 29, 2005
Broadband Through the Power Cord
Globetechnology: Chip helps electrical outlets go broadband
Matsushita has created a device to allow your appliances to network through the electrical outlets in your home. No more need for telephone or cable wires. A highspeed connection using wires that already exist in the home:
The most important implication of this technology is a boost for the power companies that are entering the competition to provide broadband access. Cable and Telephone may have real competition if the power companies can serve up pervasive computing in the home. That would require a revolution in the manufacturing of consumer durables to make them into network capable appliances. A redesign that would raise the price out of the reach of all but an elite group of consumers.
Matsushita has created a device to allow your appliances to network through the electrical outlets in your home. No more need for telephone or cable wires. A highspeed connection using wires that already exist in the home:
The advantage is that the lowly electric socket is everywhere. Right now, a broadband outlet still isn't usually available in every room, even in homes that have broadband connections.From now on you it will be possible for you to talk to your appliances from a far:
In the future home envisioned by Matsushita, people will be able to download and watch high-definition movies in any room of the house that has an outlet.
Attach a special device made by Matsushita into a socket and all you have to do is plug your TV or other gadgets into a socket for instant connection to broadband, which allows for faster transmission of on-line information than dial-up telephone connections.
A network-connected refrigerator may allow users to connect from a mobile phone or laptop to check whether you're low on eggs, for example. Or you may want to turn gadgets off or on, such as your washing machine or air-conditioner, from outside the home.Promises, promises. And does your diswasher really need internet access? Pervasisve computing is a least a technological reality if not yet a real presence in the average home.
The most important implication of this technology is a boost for the power companies that are entering the competition to provide broadband access. Cable and Telephone may have real competition if the power companies can serve up pervasive computing in the home. That would require a revolution in the manufacturing of consumer durables to make them into network capable appliances. A redesign that would raise the price out of the reach of all but an elite group of consumers.
