Many technology enthusiasts find that sooner or later, they have more devices than they do USB ports. USB hubs can mitigate this to an extent, but the mess of cables running to a PC, printer, scanner, tablet, smartphone, and every other device can become unruly. Thanks to an agreement between the Wi-Fi Alliance and the USB Implementers Forum, that may soon change, according to PCWorld.
The Wi-Fi alliance has transferred for WiGig wireless transmission technology to the USB Implementers Forum, also known as USB-IF.
The WiGig wireless standard will power a new generation of wireless media agnostic USB hubs starting next year.
"We are pleased to see the USB-IF use the WiGig Serial Extension in its development of the Media Agnostic USB specification," said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. "Advanced wireless usages of serial bus technology have the potential to deliver great benefit to users."
The new standard is called “Media Agnostic” because it can use nearly any kind of wireless system, including Wi-Fi, WiGig and WiMedia UWB, or ultrawideband.
WiGig uses unlicensed 60 Ghz spectrum to deliver speeds close to wired gigabit Ethernet over a short distance, such as within a room.
The new Wireless USB standard will use existing USB 2.0 and 3.0 drivers, making it easy for developers to create new wireless USB devices as well as integrate legacy USB devices into the USB networks. After all, why get rid of a USB printer if it’s doing a perfectly good job?
The Wireless Gigabit alliance will certify WiGig devices themselves and a distinctive logo on certified devices will appear next year.
The standard was originally developed by the WiGig alliance before it was subsumed into the Wi-Fi alliance, but the “WiGig” name stuck. The USB-IF has already certified wireless USB devices based on UWB.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey 
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