LiFi XC is about three times smaller than the bulky LiFi X dongle and about 14 times smaller than the huge Li-Flame concept product launched in 2014.

VLC pioneer PureLiFi announced the launch of LiFi XC, a U disk-sized dongle that allows tablets and laptops to connect to the Internet through visible light.

It was teased at the Mobile World Congress earlier this year that LiFi XC is about three times smaller than the bulky LiFi X dongle and about 14 times smaller than the huge Li-Flame proof-of-concept product launched in 2014.

This compact VLC adapter is also designed to plug into and use with Windows (7-10), macOS and Linux laptops and tablets. The previous version was only available for Windows and Mac, making it the platform-independent and most portable PureLiFi peripheral device to date.

The LiFi XC is plugged into the USB port of the device, and a connection to the access point is established almost immediately. PureLiFi said that the core components of the dongle-infrared transmitter and CMOS receiver, as well as the switch module between access points-are now small enough to be directly embedded in laptops and tablets, which means that future versions will not require you to sacrifice Any one of your precious ports, either.

PureLiFi’s CTO Mostafa Afgani is designed to work with currently connected luminaires (such as Lucibel’s luminaires). He said that most of the LED bulbs and strip lights that can be taken off the shelf today can be connected to the access point and then pass through the access point. Connect to your router Ethernet or power line.

"LiFi-XC is not just an achievement of shrinking the form factor, we have also made a major leap in providing a great user experience," Afgani said. "LiFi-XC provides plug-and-play connectivity out of the box and supports a wider range of off-the-shelf LEDs. We have not only improved the design of LiFi-XC-we have also provided a module that enables smart devices and appliances today Connect via LiFi."

It also announced a new small access point for PureLiFi. Unless you buy a system like Luminaire that has its own access point built in, you will need one for every LiFi-enabled light bulb in your office.

Yes, although the degree of modification has improved, you cannot enter the local electronics store and buy a set soon. Although the technology is still in the stage of attracting corporate and industrial customers, PureLiFi said that so far, its technology has been deployed in 45 cases in 14 countries/regions.

In addition to Lucibel, PureLiFi also cooperated with Verizon, Nokia and Aegex, and announced plans to cooperate with Wipro's lighting department. During the presentation, PCMag found a slide about future use cases of LiFi, including a picture of the Nest smart thermostat. It has not been confirmed that PureLiFi and Nest Labs are negotiating, but given the potential of LiFi to enhance home automation, it would be surprising if at least there is no cooperation.

Although you are more likely to see LiFi first in a local hospital or workplace, this development brings us one step closer to installing data-carrying lamps in the living room.

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