Opinion

A new high-speed Wi-Fi certification plan could actually mean reduced performance for Wi-Fi in future, a leading communications analyst has warned.

The Wi-Fi alliance this week announced that an interim standard for next generation wireless LANs has been approved. New products with the 802.11n draft 2.0 certification will be available from late June.

However, the Wi-Fi alliance has also said that some older 'pre-N' 802.11 wireless LAN products will also be certifiable under the new draft 2.0 certification.

Sony plans to slow down the rate of PlayStation 3 shipments, according to forecasts the company revealed today. The news follows reports that sales are moving slowly. The company also said it plans to cut PS3 production costs, and predicts a rise in profits. Observers are divided on whether a PS3 price cut is likely in the immediate future.

Wireless network manufacturers are promising that a new standard will end Wi-Fi compatibility problems and other headaches. With the announcement of the 802.11n draft 2.0 standard today, the industry appears to be reaching out to disillusioned consumers.

Korean internet users are up in arms over a satirical video clip from US humorist Stephen Colbert.

Pundits who predict a crisis for paid video download services like iTunes are wrong, says a leading technology analyst. The challenge from advertising-supported rivals like Joost will not be a knockout punch, says Mike Wolf of ABI Research.

While TV show downloads will mostly be funded by advertising in future, movies are a very different story, points out Wolf, who is a Research Director with US-based ABI.