Currently, we are used to using Wi-Fi as the main form of wireless connectivity on our iPhone, iPad or Mac, among others. However, it is possible that in the future we see a transition to a new technology: the LiFi.
As this light-based wireless technology continues to advance, a major innovation has been unveiled by the PureLiFi company at Mobile World Congress in 2023. A technology that is call to improve the connectivity of our Apple devices and from other manufacturers.
An internet connection through light
As reported in Business Wire, PureLiFi has introduced its latest LiFi antenna, called Light Antenna ONE, designed to comply with the global light communication standard 802.11bb, which is in its final stages of certification. This antenna, which is the first of its kind to meet this standard, is a major achievement. both in terms of engineering and commercial maturity.
According to Alistair Banham, CEO of PureLiFi, the Light Antenna ONE “will not only improve the connectivity of devices, but also will make LiFi available at scale for manufacturers of devices seeking to differentiate themselves and foster new markets with advanced connectivity.” This antenna has been optimized to meet market performance, size, cost and throughput requirements, enabling manufacturers of smartphones and connected devices to integrate LiFi to big scale.
Additionally, compliance with the upcoming IEEE 802.11bb standard means that LiFi will easily integrate with existing Wi-Fi networking equipment and also with the Wi-Fi chipsets that are already present in the devices we use. An antenna with a size of about 18 millimeters that becomes a real possibility of integrating this technology in the next models of mobile devices.
Will we see LiFi at Apple?
LiFi is a wireless technology that uses light instead of radio frequencies to transmit data. A light antenna is an optoelectric antenna that is designed to integrate like a traditional radio frequency antenna and allows LiFi to be used in connected devices. By using light, LiFi can deliver Faster, more secure wireless communications with unmatched security compared to conventional technologies such as Wi-Fi and 5G.
LiFi technology has many advantages over conventional Wi-Fi, but also some disadvantages. By using visible light, LiFi is much more secure than Wi-Fi, as it light does not pass through walls and cannot be intercepted by attackers outside of any enclosure.
Another advantage of LiFi is that can operate in environments sensitive to interference, such as hospitals and airplanes, where conventional Wi-Fi is not an option. Additionally, LiFi technology is more energy efficient than Wi-Fi, which means it can help extend the battery life of connected devices.
We are completely unaware of Apple’s position regarding this technology, but the news certainly promises. In general, Apple tends to integrate new communication technologies quite quickly, something we are already seeing with 5G and even with 5G SA being rolled out to compatible iPhones through software (such as iOS 16.4).
The possibility of high-speed connectivity, increased security, and reduced interference could be very attractive to Apple and give it a competitive advantage in the mobile device market. We will have to see how the technology evolves, of course, but the possibility of Leaving Wi-Fi behind in favor of LiFi in connectivity is advancing faster every day.
In Applesphere | How to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network without a password and quickly