Launched 20 years ago, Wi-Fi nearly lost out to the rival HomeRF standard, which was being promoted by the group of Compaq, HP, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft
Opinion: Launched 20 years ago this week, Wi-Fi nearly hit a dead spot. — We all love Wi-Fi, except when we can't connect. Tweets: @davwrigh , @wired , @wired , and @oliakanevskaia Tweets: Dave Wright / @davwrigh : Very good story on the early days of Wi-Fi, HomeRF, WECA, FlankSpeed, etc... https://www.wired.com/... @wired : Wi-Fi officially launched 20 years ago, on September 15, 1999. We take for granted being able to find wireless access at home, in an airplane, traveling. But what if Wi-Fi hadn't happened? It almost didn't, at least not in the way we recognize it today. https://www.wired.com/... @wired : “The next time you think about cursing a dead spot or scowl when your flight attendant tells you the Wi-Fi on the plane is down, take a deep breath and be thankful that you're not connecting with the world at FlankSpeed.” https://www.wired.com/... Olia Kanevskaia / @oliakanevskaia : A good read to remind that “success” of standards depends on many complex issues, including technologies, market acceptance, but also timely (de)regulation https://www.wired.com/...