The story behind Wi-Fi

Some of the details may have been different, but Lo recalls that similar concerns surfaced when automatic teller machines debuted. In his mind, it's just a matter of time before all the pieces fall into place for Wi-Fi.

Even as Wi-Fi moves beyond the early adopter set, questions linger about price, security and service. Lo's answer is that gear manufacturers and chipmakers will come up with faster, less expensive and more capable products, a trend he says will lead to the integration of wireless technology in every new device. Lo also sees a market for retrofitting older devices, such as TVs and radios, with Wi-Fi capabilities. He spoke with CNET News.com, offering a hardware maker's perspective on the industry's march toward an untethered future and what it will mean to users.