WiSAP: A wireless personal access network for handheld computing devices

New short-range wireless communication technologies would enable environmen t-aware, mobile, personal area networks. These new technologies will serve as enablers for ubiquitous, low-cost, low-complexity, small-sized informati on appliances. These appliances will serve as interaction tools between hum ans and computer-driven services and applications existing ih either the cl ose or distant vicinity of humans. In this article the new application para digms these new technologies will enable are explored. Furthermore, an expe rimental wireless personal access networking platform called WiSAP, develop ed to research these new technologies and applications paradigms, is presen ted. Finally, some of the experiences gained from WiSAP while designing a c onsumer-oriented portable wireless communication system suitable for wirele ss mobile personal access networks are also presented.