Businessweek reports on BAE system’s Wi-Fi wallpaper designed to contain the wireless internet signals and permit cell-phone usage. I see a valid security concern argument, no one wants their network open to anyone war-driving. However I think of the need and desire for an open wireless network like the one being put up in New York city. From what I hear there is almost complete wireless coverage all over the island of Manhattan.
And the impact on community … it just makes finding free Wi-Fi that much harder. War-diriving has become almost a cult. You search around for a Wi-Fi signal and then ride on someone else’s signal for free. My best friend does it in his apartment complex. He has free Wi-Fi internet from the girl down the hall who named her network Bunny22.
I just think that in the real near future the signal strength is going to be come refined enough that whole neighborhoods will ride off of one wireless router. The commoditization of technology products is becoming disturbingly fast. The real question is how long Wi-Fi wallpaper will be viable if the future holds community based routers instead of home based routers. Will you kick yourself in 3 years for putting up wallpaper today that will keep out the free signals of tomorrow?
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