The Unbroken Line of Wi-Fi Interoperability

My home network is a small miracle of backward compatibility, slinging data across 60-plus devices that span five generations of Wi-Fi. Everything on it, from my iPhone 15 Pro all the way down to my Nintendo Wii, manages to connect to the internet, most of it wirelessly through my router, with shockingly few issues. That’s possible because of Wi-Fi’s essentially unbroken line of interoperability that stretches from its 1999 introduction in consumer products through today.

The Shapeshifters of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi devices do this by being shapeshifters. When two of them connect, the one using the newest generation of the standard will automatically switch to the highest Wi-Fi version the other one is equipped for. Making sure that works means lots of testing for compatibility, maintaining old parts of the standard, and coming up with new ways to make existing tech more viable. That approach has led to a level of backward compatibility and long-term device support that few gadgets or standards in the tech world can match.

The Glacial Transitions

One reason Wi-Fi operates this way is the glacial transitions between generations of the standard. It can take a long time for a new version to proliferate — see the 2022 Apple HomePod and its use of Wi-Fi 4, which debuted in 2009. And even when new products move forward old tech still lingers in homes and businesses everywhere.

The Importance of Backward Compatibility

Netgear’s VP of product management, Sandeep Harpalani, says backward compatibility is “intrinsic” to Wi-Fi — products that hew closely to the spec should have it by design. But they still need to be tested to make sure things work. In many cases, that’s done by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

The Wi-Fi Certified Logo

As of early 2024, the Wi-Fi Alliance was made up of more than 900 member companies, many of which submit their products to be tested and certified by independent, Wi-Fi Alliance-trained testing labs. According to a 2020 Wi-Fi Alliance testing guide, products that pass get a certificate that “assures the end customer of interoperability with other standards-compatible networking equipment that also bears the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo.” Basically, if you see that logo on a package, the product should work with any other Wi-Fi Certified device.

Maintaining Support

Given that the Wi-Fi Alliance, formed in 1999 as the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance, has been certifying products for Wi-Fi interoperability since 2000, that’s a long list of devices. Initial certification is optional, but once a product has been certified, the Wi-Fi Alliance enforces that certification by requiring that each product be retested after any changes are made that affect Wi-Fi functionality. Otherwise, the product risks losing its badge.

The Challenges of Compatibility

The certification process takes time, though, so some companies will forego the badge altogether. Amazon-owned mesh router company Eero is among those that skip the certification. Eero CEO Nick Weaver says that the company has a “rigorous internal certification process” and that it doesn’t want to wait for external approval to ship its products.

The Future of Wi-Fi

Part of Eero’s process is checking connections to outdated devices or emulating large numbers of gadgets connecting at once to make sure its routers can handle it. Similar to the Wi-Fi Alliance’s certification process, Weaver says Eero repeats its tests for every firmware update, too. When there are compatibility issues, it usually comes down to the manufacturer of a given device, according to Maureen Gallagher, VP of marketing at the Wi-Fi Alliance. Gallagher says that, most often, if an older device won’t connect, it’s not due to any disparity in Wi-Fi version. Instead, they’re usually uncertified devices that don’t properly implement the Wi-Fi standard or use proprietary features that don’t play well with other versions of Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

That all adds up to Wi-Fi continuing to be the rare technology without major compatibility issues. Your new phone will work with your old router. And when you eventually upgrade that router to something better, all your devices will come along with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is backward compatibility in Wi-Fi?
A: Backward compatibility in Wi-Fi refers to the ability of newer devices to work with older devices and equipment.

Q: Why is backward compatibility important?
A: Backward compatibility is important because it ensures that older devices and equipment can still work with newer devices and equipment, reducing the need for costly upgrades and replacements.

Q: How does Wi-Fi achieve backward compatibility?
A: Wi-Fi achieves backward compatibility by automatically switching to the highest Wi-Fi version that the other device is equipped for when they connect.

Q: What is the Wi-Fi Certified logo?
A: The Wi-Fi Certified logo is an interoperability guarantee that ensures a product will work with other standards-compatible networking equipment that also bears the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo.

Q: Why do some companies choose not to get their products certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance?
A: Some companies, like Eero, choose not to get their products certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance because they have their own internal certification process and don’t want to wait for external approval to ship their products.

Semiconductor Giants Intel and TSMC Reportedly Teaming Up

Joint Venture in the Works

Intel and TSMC, two of the biggest players in the semiconductor industry, are reportedly teaming up to create a joint venture. According to The Information, the two firms have reached a tentative agreement to operate Intel’s chipmaking facilities through a new joint venture. TSMC will have a 20% stake in the new venture.

How the Joint Venture Will Work

Instead of funding its stake with capital, TSMC will share some of its chipmaking practices with Intel employees and train them. This move is part of the agreement, as reported by The Information.

Background on Intel’s Turnaround Efforts

Intel executives are reportedly concerned about mass layoffs, which is why the Trump administration is believed to have kindled the discussions that led to this joint venture. The development comes less than a month after investor and entrepreneur Lip-Bu Tan was appointed CEO of Intel, with a mandate to make sweeping changes at the company.

Reaction from the Companies Involved

TSMC has declined to comment on the joint venture. TechCrunch reached out to Intel for comment, but the company has not yet responded.

Conclusion

The joint venture between Intel and TSMC is a significant development in the semiconductor industry. With TSMC’s expertise in chipmaking and Intel’s resources, the partnership has the potential to drive innovation and growth in the sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the nature of the joint venture between Intel and TSMC?

A: The joint venture will operate Intel’s chipmaking facilities, with TSMC having a 20% stake.

Q: How will TSMC fund its stake in the joint venture?

A: TSMC will not fund its stake with capital. Instead, it will share its chipmaking practices with Intel employees and train them.

Q: What is the background behind the joint venture?

A: The joint venture was reportedly sparked by concerns about mass layoffs at Intel, which was kindled by the Trump administration.

Q: Who is the new CEO of Intel?

A: Lip-Bu Tan, an investor and entrepreneur, was appointed CEO of Intel less than a month ago, with a mandate to make sweeping changes at the company.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency Plans Hackathon to Create Mega API for IRS Data

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is planning to hold a “hackathon” next week to create a “mega API” for accessing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data, reports Wired.

Objective of the API

The API would be used to move the data into a cloud platform — potentially a third-party one — to serve as the “read center” of the agency’s systems.

DOGE’s Hackathon Plan

DOGE’s hackathon plan includes pulling together “dozens” of IRS engineers in DC to build the API, writes Wired. Among the third-party providers the department has reportedly discussed involving is Palantir, a company known for its vast data collection and government surveillance and analysis work.

Timelines and Concerns

DOGE is aiming to finish the API work in 30 days, a timeline one IRS employee told Wired is “not technically possible” and would “cripple” the IRS.

Organizers of the Project

Wired says the DOGE operatives orchestrating the project are 25-year-old Gavin Kliger and health-tech CEO Sam Corcos. On March 1st, The Washington Post reported that Corcos had pushed the agency to lift restrictions it had placed on Kliger’s access to its systems, and proposed an agreement to share IRS data across the government.

Resistance from the IRS and Congressional Concerns

A March 14th letter to the IRS from Senator Ron Wyden and others suggests the agency didn’t relent, as it praises their “rightful rejection” of DOGE’s requests. It goes on to cite another later Post story suggesting that Trump administration officials want to use IRS data “to power their immigration crackdown and government efficiency campaign.”

Concerns from IRS Employees

One of the sources Wired spoke with said that “schematizing” and understanding the IRS data DOGE is after “would take years” and that “these people have no experience, not only in government, but in the IRS or with taxes or anything else.”

Conclusion

The planned hackathon by DOGE to create a mega API for IRS data raises concerns about the potential misuse of sensitive tax information and the feasibility of the project. The tight timeline and lack of experience of the project organizers have sparked criticism from IRS employees and congressional officials.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the mega API?

A: The API would be used to move IRS data into a cloud platform, potentially a third-party one, to serve as the “read center” of the agency’s systems.

Q: Who is involved in the project?

A: DOGE operatives Gavin Kliger and Sam Corcos are leading the project, and Palantir is reportedly being considered as a third-party provider.

Q: What are the concerns about the project?

A: IRS employees have raised concerns about the feasibility of the project, citing a lack of experience and a tight timeline. Congressional officials have also expressed concerns about the potential misuse of sensitive tax information.

Q: What is the current status of the project?

A: The project is currently planned to start next week, with a 30-day timeline to complete the API work. However, the feasibility and potential impact of the project remain uncertain.