Wireless technologies are beginning to be used for more than just networking and sharing broadband internet. Homes worldwide are beginning to be fitted with high-speed cable in order to create ‘smart homes’ - fully automate houses. The technology itself has existed for several years but has been too expensive, complicated or simply unnecessary for most home owners (Dreier, 2004). However, with technology being integrated into a variety of appliances, there has been a strong trend in making the home technologically advanced.
For most home owners, simply being able to control the lights in the house is enough. However, home automation can be extravagant and many wealthy estates have become fully automated. However, doing so is highly expensive, with costs continuing for support, maintenance and upgrades. Also, fully automating a house is extremely complicated. Simply installing one wireless device does not mean that it will work everywhere. To fix this problem wired networks must be built-in to negotiate steal beams, microwaves and other objects that could block a wireless signal.
Once the network is installed the possibilities are astounding. A complete home network has the potential to control almost everything. A homes security can be controlled, including cameras, gates and door locks. Also, the entire entertainment system can be accessed anywhere in the house. Touchpads located throughout the home allow for easy control and built-in speakers and multiple television sets mean that entertainment is only a button away.
Home automation also has its benefits for those who travel frequently. A home owner can turn the lights on via the internet, check security cameras, open gates and turn on the swimming pool, even if they are out of the country.
The future for appliances also looks to be heading in the direction of home networking. Eventually every whitewood could be connected to a network. This allows for grocery shopping via the internet or getting recipes offline using a refrigerator (Marsan, 2004). Similarly, a washing machine can be turn on from anywhere in the house. For those who can afford it, this wireless technology doesn’t seem farfetched. Once again, it is working to make life simple and accessible.
Although most of this technology is unavailable to the mass market because of its cost, similar items will soon become common. The internet enabled fridge is already on the market and has proved popular. There are numerous wireless security systems that are affordable and practical for the average household. As with all wireless technology, prices will continue to drop and the devices will become easy to use and eventually could been seen as a necessity.
Back to Applications of wireless technologies
References
Dreier, T. 2004. PC Magazine, 23:19 (accessed October 4, 2004 from Proquest: Computing database).
Marsan, C. 2004. High-tech Cribs. Network World, 21:31 (accessed Ocober 4. 2004 from Proquest: Computing database) Katherineedwards 08:54, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)
