Wi-Fi Memory Stick Coming December 1

Last month, Hagiwara Sys-Com said its much-anticipated Wi-Fi card that uses the Memory Stick format would be available soon. It is now known that this will be released on December 1.

MobilePlanet is currently taking pre-orders for the HNT-MSW1. The price is $130, which makes it less expensive than Sony's PEGA-WL110 CompactFlash Wi-Fi card.

Unlike the WL110, which can only be used with Sony's NX series, the Wi-Fi Memory Stick will be able to be used with any Clie that runs Palm OS 5.x. Unfortunately, the HNT-MSW1 can't be used with any handheld running Palm OS 4.

According to MobilePlanet, this WLAN card will support 128-bit WEP in addition to 40-bit and 64-bit, providing better data security. It will be a IEEE 802.11b (2.4Ghz, 1-11 channel) device that has been Wi-Fi Certified. It will, of course, draw power from the handheld.

The exact dimensions for this card are not yet known but clearly a sizable piece will extend beyond the confines of the Memory Stick slot.

Those interested in pre-ordering this accessory should visit the MobilePlanet web site.

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