IR not dead, and actually getting faster

NTT DoCoMo, along with Sharp and Waseda University, have developed a new infrared standard that speeds up IR communication about 4 to 10 times. Dubbed IR Simple, it uses existing hardware and promises full backward compatibility with existing devices, and can be added as a firmware upgrade in the case of most mobiles. It's nowhere near as big over here as it is in Japan, where it's still going strong, but heck if it's suddenly 4 to 10 times faster, maybe it'll make a comeback like Twisted Sister. But without the hair.