Broadcom has unveiled a new 11.n wi-fi chip that will let cellphones connect wirelessly to the internet - or other wi-fi-equipped phones, PCs, TVs, printers or car stereos - much faster than before, hitting video sharing-friendly speeds of up to 50Mbit/s.

The "11.n" flavour of wi-fi offers much faster wireless networking than the older 11b/g spec, plus a stronger, steadier signal with a much longer range. 11n is easier to set-up, and much more secure too, making neighbours less likely to freeload on your internet connection.

If you're buying a new laptop (and certainly if you're buying new networking gear) then 11.n wi-fi  should be one of the hardware specs near the top of your checklist.

Sure a beefy processor and more memory are always good. But in these broadband-focussed days, 11n will deliver the most noticeable boost to  your everyday computing experience as it juices your wireless to your home or office network, and relays an ADSL2+ fixed line connection to your roaming laptop without crimping your bandwidth.

Now, 11n is set to appear on your cellphone checklist too.

US chip maker Broadcom has announced a new combo chip, the BCM4325, which will deliver 11n to mobiles. With Broadcom's key rival Intel, and others, also pushing the technology, expect all the major cellphone makers to introduce phones packing 11.n during the second half of next year.

Wi-fi is a famous leech on battery life, helping to sap many smartphones within a day, and leading RIM to leave the feature off its BlackBerry Storm.

But Broadcom says by packing other features onto the BCM4325, such as Bluetooth and FM radio, its 11n chip should be not more of a power hog than today's 11b/g (which, for all its limitations, is regarded as more power efficient).

The BCM4325 will support 11n's famed ability to broadcast a signal on one of two bands, 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

Expect a lot more activity in the mobile area during 2009 as chip makers increasingly focus away from commoditised PCs and toward hotspots like smartphones and ultramobile computers (aka netbooks).

Jeremy Hope, Ericsson New Zealand Multimedia and Systems Integration Manager, points to his company's new partnership with Intel, which is expected to produce a combo chip that combines HSPA wireless connectivity (aka 3G Broadband, supported by both Telecom and Vodafone's coming networks) with GPS and other silicon smarts.