By Richard Shim
CNET

New wireless networking chips for handheld devices are giving second life to the 802.11b standard and could soon test the theory that Wi-Fi and cellular data services can work hand in hand rather than compete.

As previously reported, chipmakers Broadcom and Royal Philips Electronics have developed new Wi-Fi chips that will speed up the use of wireless networking on high-profile portable devices, including cellphones. Broadcom and Philips Semiconductor, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, on Monday announced the new chips — smaller, cheaper and more power-efficient versions of their current 802.11b products.

The chips create new and highly promising uses for the 802.11b standard, which is being eclipsed on PCs by the faster 802.11g, opening the door for devices that combine Wi-Fi and next-generation cellular capabilities.

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