Intel today officially introduced its draft 802.11n chipset. The company described its Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N network connection, as "an upgrade to the wireless component found inside Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology and other Intel-based laptops".

The release contained no hard specs and was even vague on whether the product has dual-band capability (it does). It was noted, however, that the new chipset offers "up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range" and would provide "up to an extra hour of notebook battery life" when compared to existing Draft-N products.

Intel also announced a "Connect with Centrino" certification program aimed at getting consumers to look past 802.11n's draft status and the interoperability and "bad neighbor" problems shown by products to date. The company said that it has worked with Asus, Belkin, Buffalo, D-Link and Netgear "to better ensure compatibility and performance" with those companies' "access points". Companies that pass Intel's certification exam will earn the right to display a "Connect with Centrino" identifier on their product packaging.

Buffalo Technology issued a related announcement that said its WZR-AG300NH AirStation Wireless–N Nfiniti Dual Band Router & AP has earned the "Connect with Centrino" certification. Netgear also announced that its WNR834B and WNR854T RangeMax Wireless-N Routers have successfully passed the certification process.

Intel said the new chipset will first be in new Microsoft Vista notebook computers powered by Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology from OEMs such as Acer, Asus, Gateway and Toshiba beginning in late January.

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