It was probably only a matter of time. Microsoft (MSFT) recently announced that it will start selling home-networking equipment, jumping headlong into a high-growth segment of the wireless industry. It's not hard to see why: According to research firm In-Stat/MDR, the number of wireless home networks nationwide will jump from 10.5 million in 2001 to more than 16 million this year, making it one of the fastest-growing markets in the industry.
Microsoft is reaching out to those customers by introducing a new line of products -- including base stations ($150), notebook adapters ($80), and wireless laptop kits ($220) -- designed to let you take your laptop anywhere you want around the house (or the pool), unencumbered by cables.
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