Get ready to ditch your cords, your keys and even your credit cards: Short-range wireless protocols will soon give you ultimate remote control.

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Technology: ZigBee
Max. range bandwidth frequency: 300 ft./4x dial-up/2.4 GHz

What it can do: Control all your household appliances via remote

Why you should care: Uses very little power, saving batteries

How secure is it?: Very. Uses 128-bit encryption on a secure network

See it: Mid-2005






Technology: Bluetooth
Max. range bandwidth frequency: 30 ft./18x dial-up/2.4 GHz

What it can do: Link your cellphone to a wireless headset; print without using a USB cable

Why you should care: Gets rid of messy wires and cables between devices

How secure is it?: Not very. Many users leave their phones in “discoverable” mode

See it: Now








Technology: Ultra Wideband
Max. range bandwidth frequency: 30 ft./2,011x dial-up/3.1-10.6 GHz

What it can do: Transfer video from your digital camcorder to your TV sans cable

Why you should care: Enough bandwidth to stream video but uses little power

How secure is it?: Very. Uses 128-bit encryption and has no “discoverable” mode

See it: Early 2005








Technology: Near Field Communications
Max. range bandwidth frequency: 10 cm./8x dial-up/13.56 MHz

What it can do: Pay a vending machine with your cellphone; download an MP3 from a poster

Why you should care: No more fumbling for change

How secure is it?: Very. Uses encryption and PIN/passcode

See it: Early 2005








Technology: Skinplex
Max. range bandwidth frequency: 50 cm./1/3x dial-up/100 KHz

What it can do: Transfer data across your skin using your body’s inherent electrical properties

Why you should care: Put a transceiver in your wallet, and open a car door by touch

How secure is it?: Not very. As with a key, if you lose it, anyone who finds it can use it

See it: 2007






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June 2012: Invent Your Own Anything

The 6th annual Invention Awards are here, from an inflatable tourniquet to a better lobster trap to spring-loaded hocket skates. This issue is all about the celebration of invention.

Plus: Making synthetic biology breakthroughs in a garage, building a constantly-moving ping-pong table, and a ridiculously overpowered barbecue.

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