Google is currently exploring the potential of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for Chromebook devices, focusing on various use cases such as connecting Chromebooks to each other, to phones, and to multiple devices simultaneously.
While wireless networks and Bluetooth have been the go-to wireless technologies for device connectivity for a long time, UWB technology is emerging as the next big thing, promising high-speed data transfer.
Details about UWB technology for Chromebooks recently surfaced within Chromium Gerrit, a tool used by developers to discuss and review changes in source code.
Specifically, Google is testing UWB technology for various purposes across Chromebook devices, these experiments include connecting Chromebook devices, connecting Chromebooks to phones, and even involving multiple users in communications, extending beyond individual links.
UWB technology is still in the testing phase for Chromebooks, so it might take some time before it’s integrated into the ChromeOS system.
However, the potential applications of this technology across Chromebooks are intriguing, UWB technology utilizes radio waves but operates at an extremely high frequency, distinguishing it fundamentally from other wireless protocols.
As the name suggests, this short-range wireless communication protocol employs an exceptionally wide range, its primary purpose is device location discovery, offering energy efficiency, multi-purpose functionality, and cost-effectiveness.
Data transfer rates through these extremely high-frequency millimeter waves start at around 4 megabits per second, reaching up to 1 gigabit per second. It allows for high-precision location tracking down to centimeters, this is why Apple’s AirTags, used for reliable item tracking, employ UWB technology.
Various use cases for the technology include unlocking car doors, secure wireless payments, indoor positioning, and smart home accessory applications, this technology could potentially replace many of the currently used technologies such as Bluetooth, NFC, and RFID.
Integrating UWB technology into Chromebooks could unlock new communication possibilities, extended wireless displays could become a reality, offering significant enhancements by eliminating the need for cables and simplifying the setup and usage of multiple screens.
