While the Wireless USB standard has not really taken off as fast as we might have expected a while ago (probably due to the very serious competition from Bluetooth technology and the other short-range wireless data transfer solutions either already out or being developed), that's not stopping the USB Implementers Forum from actively working on it, the latest achievement in this field being the completion of the Wireless USB 1.1 specification.

Wireless USB 1.1 delivers key performance enhancements to Wireless USB technology, as well as added UWB upper band support for frequencies of 6 GHz and above, and offers backward compatibility with Wireless USB products currently in use by consumers.

Wireless USB is evolving with optimized power efficiency and ease of use, with the lower idle power requirements and improved battery life enhancing Wireless USB power efficiency, and the new association model offering support for Near Field Communication (NFC) and proximity-based association, making Wireless USB even easier to install and use.

“The Wireless USB 1.1 specification is the next step in Wireless USB technology,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and chairman.

“Consumers want a fast, easy-to-use solution to wirelessly transfer content from PCs to devices. Wireless USB 1.1 is the solution supporting robust, high-speed wireless connectivity among devices,” Mr. Ravencraft added.

Of course, it remains to be seen just how soon the first device to implement this technology will make their way onto the market, but we certainly hope that it will be sooner, rather than later.