The technology is there, and has been for a decade. Still, Wi-Fi's roll-out into our homes has been slow, at best, and continues to be confronted by various challenges.
For decades, the 'home of the future' has been touted as being 'just 'round the corner.' Wireless network technology has long been a selling point, with technology like tablets used as remotes, emails to open and close the garage door, and wireless security monitoring. Still, the technology, though readily available, has been slow to be placed in many homes. The New York Times' Kevin J. O'Brien reports on the lackluster implementation of wireless technology in the home.
"Experts say there are several reasons why the uncabled home, which became possible with the advent of Wi-Fi networks, has been slow in coming," reports O'Brien, "with consumer indifference, the cost of consuming wireless data, the global recession and competing technical standards among them."
The technology potential of such wireless networks is exceptional and, frankly, exciting. From wireless monitors that adjust household energy consumption to locks that send text messages to parents notifying when children arrive home, the potential benefits to the wireless-connected family are many.
FULL STORY: Home of the Future Still Years Away
It's Bus Shelters or Wi-Fi in Miami, But Not Both
The company that pays to build and maintain bus shelters in Miami-Dade County isn't happy about plans to bring in another company to build wi-fi kiosks at transit stops.
Battle of Technologies Shaping-Up for Connected Vehicles
The U.S. Department of Transportation proposed a new rule on Dec. 13 for automakers to require vehicle-to-vehicle technology to save lives, but critics charge the radio-based technology will be obsolete when the rule takes effect in about seven years
Expect Passenger Vehicles to Talk to Each Other in the Near Future
The U.S. Department of Transportation wants light-duty vehicles to communicate with each other via advanced technology, known as connected vehicle technology, to prevent crashes. The vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) rule would be phased in over five years.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
