With all of the buzz around ETech, CeBIT etc., and the unveiling of the UMPC/Origami portable devices, it passed rather quietly last week that Intel announced some of its wireless "roadmap" in San Francisco. Among the announced items were:

• The next generation of Centrino mobile technology, code named Santa Rosa, with additional connectivity management and security and support for 802.11n. Santa Rosa is due to come to market in 2007.


• Greater focus on handheld devices, including improved multimedia management.


• An accelerated WiMAX deployment strategy.

On this last issue, Intel had originally stated they would roll out WiMAX gear in 2007, but has now announced it plans to ship a WiMAX PCMCIA card later this year.