The news
Intel is holding out the promise of faster wireless connectivity - with twice the range - from Windows Vista notebook computers that use its new-generation internal WiFi card, the Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN.
Acer, Asus, Gateway and Toshiba are said to be the first to be launching Vista machines - and doing so this month.
The so-called Next-Gen Wireless-N technology - formerly known as Kedron - is based on the draft 802.11n WiFi specification but claimed to give up to an extra hour's battery life compared to existing draft-N products.
Of course there's little point in the technology if it's not compatible with other wireless kit and Intel says it's being working closely with makers of wireless access points to make sure that its new internal WiFi card and their products will exist in harmony.
This testing regime has been formalised and kit that Intel certifies as working well will be able to carry an identifying logo - Connect with Centrino - that's supposed to alert consumers to this fact.
Click for larger imageThe PRO/Wireless 4965AGN is in PCIe Mini Card format and one of three mains elements of the next iteration of the Centrino platform - Santa Rosa - that will be officially announced in April.
Other elements of Santa Rosa Centrino are the mobile Intel Core 2 Duo processor (Merom) and the still-to-be-introduced Intel 965-Express mobile chipset (Crestline).
Check out Intel's press release on page two and share your thoughts with us in the HEXUS.community about Next-Gen Wireless-N and the still unfinalised 802.11n WiFi specs.
Update - Jan 24, 15:00
Various additions made to give more info - such as the card's form-factor, model code, previous code name and the stuff about Santa Rosa.
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