TAPPING out Morse code on your water pipes is one way to network information
around your home, but better ways are emerging. Some systems bathe people in
low-power microwaves, like the radio-based computer network known as Wi-Fi, or
the Bluetooth system, which aims to link up mobile gadgets.
If the Consumer Electronics Association in the US has its way, however, your
household devices—such as cookers, washing machines, baby monitors,
burglar alarms or televisions—will soon be able to talk to each through
their mains power plugs. For example, built-in modems will let you set up a link
between a…
