Wonders of WiMAX at CES

posted by Ken Kaplan on January 20, 2009

WiMax was something I really tuned into during the noisy tech bliss that is CES. Maybe because the demonstrations were better compared with what I saw at [CES 2008](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akr-OnVF4fc), or maybe because the high speed wireless technology is really hitting mainstream. I got to see first-timers like Rocketboom's [Ellie Rountree](http://www.elspethjane.com/) (Intel sponsored their trip to CES) and teen site [Kiwibox](http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNenTCGBXSU) curious and learning how WiMAX works. WiMAX is a complicated technology, so it helps me to see how others are putting it in simple terms and sharing their "awe-ha, I get it" analogies. WiMAX was available throughout the LVCC's Central Hall. This allowed live video show [Techku](http://www.mogulus.com/techku) to roam the floor and report live wirelessly connected to the Internet, using [Centrino 2-powered laptops](http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=287) equipped with WiMAX. As people visited the Intel booth, where Techku was based during CES, they could see WiMAX in action live on the computer screens. I could feel intrigue turn to buzz on the scene. But buzz is not momentum unless you see progress. And progress is being made: - The [Clear WiMAX service](http://www.clear.com/) just went live to the [Portland, Oregon](http://scoop.intel.com/2009/01/portland-wake-up-to-wimax.php) residents just days prior to CES. Portland become the second U.S. city after [Baltimore](http://blogs.intel.com/technology/2008/10/seeing_wimax_unleash_possibili.php) (by [XOHM](http://www.xohm.com/)) to offer WiMAX - We're seeing more devices, like this [Acer AspireOne](http://scoop.intel.com/2009/01/wimax-inside-a-netbook-at-ces-2009.php) netbook and [Acer eee PC](http://laptopcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/asus-to-show-off-second-generation-of.html), both fitted with WiMAX. - Cities like Chicago, Washington DC, Dallas/Fort Worth, Providence, Boston and Philadelphia are mentioned as being on the list to get WiMAX service. I also saw the [ComputerTV team](http://com.puter.tv/) visit the Intel booth at CES. They shot this [video with a Clearwire WiMAX](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96Ds7QfO5Ws TigerDirect) expert, who describes the business and how the new service connects customers who are on the go and inside their home or office. All of these are pieces of the WiMAX mosaic I see forming. Next I'm turning my attention to the [World Mobile Congress ](http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/) meeting February 16-19 in Barcelona, Spain. That's where I hope to learn more about how WiMAX is catching on in other countries around the world. If you're going to WMC, let us know what you're most interested seeing there.