The (Slow) Rise of Wireless Technology

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.