There is more bad news for cable manufacturers, although it will probably not be fatal. UK distributor Frontline Distribution Ltd has taken on German invention Infralink, a device for connecting personal computers and printers. As the name suggests, the medium it uses is infra-red light, transmitted in an unfocussed manner so that it is not necessary for the two devices to be in line of sight – the signal bounces off walls, glass and such things. The small boxes attach directly to the computer and printer and enable data transfer rates of up to 40Kbps. While you don’t have to have them in line of sight, it does increase the possible distances between devices – have them properly lined up and printer and computer can be up to 200 feet apart. Plonk them down any old how and the distance drops to 20 feet. The Infralink boxes cost UKP180 and were launched at Cebit last March.
