VCs Hope to See Wi-Fi Everywhere

Wi-fi is a very popular technology nowadays even other people know how to set up a simple home network. Wi-fi is what makes it all possible. Many are now investing in putting Wi-fi into different devices like cameras, televisions, keyboards and even mice.

According to data from ABI Research, Wi-fi chips that are sold in the market are expected to top 1billion this year. Aside from computers, Wi-fi-enabled televisions, set-top boxes and cars are slowly becoming popular in the market.

Carl Showalter, founding general partner with Opus Capital, says that the newer version of Wi-fi have the capacity to offer video and do a lot of things at lower power: higher energy and wireless bandwidth have been common problems in using the technology in more applications.

For Opus, Wi-Fi's primacy in the market has translated into investments in Eye-Fi, which announced an $11 million Series B round this month for a card that Wi-Fi enables a digital camera, and in GainSpan, which raised $20 million at the end of 2007 for its ultra-low-powered Wi-Fi chipset, which could be used in sensor networks and home automation.

Home Office to Living Room

Wi-fi started in the home office it links computers to broadband connections then to each other without cables. Soon this would replace Bluetooth or other lasers in wireless keyboards and mice through a new project at Intel called Cliffside. . In June, Ozmo Devices came out of stealth mode with $12.5 million in funding from Intel Capital, Tallwood Venture Capital, and Granite Ventures with plans to use Cliffside technology in developing a line of Wi-Fi-enabled keyboards and mice. Products should be available later this year.

Now Wi-fi is making a beeline for the living room. They are attempting to deliver high definition video to television from PC’s or DVD players. Companies like Samsung and Philip offer Wi-fi chips in television.