Tell You What Technology Can Do

Boston University researchers are devising a method to transmit data through light rather than a traditional Wi-Fi router.

The technology involves utilizing LEDs that flicker at imperceptible speeds, communicating with network-enabled devices at speeds from one to 10 megabits per second. That's a tad slow compared to the current 802.11g Wi-Fi standard, which transmits data at rates up to 54 megabits per second. But researchers are aiming the light technology at networking household appliances, such as refrigerators, photo frames or printers -- bringing us a step closer to the dream of a wireless household.

An LED wireless system would certainly eliminate clutter taken up by a traditional Wi-Fi or femtocell hub. But, as TechDigest also pointed out, I wonder if my shadow would interfere with wireless communication with a device? That would be slightly annoying, no?