Microsoft's Wi-Fi ups and downs

Microsoft's decision to wait on delivering faster, "g"-class Wi-Fi gear may have reversed huge market share gains the company made in the hot consumer category. In January, Microsoft captured the No. 2 position in U.S. retail sales of Wi-Fi wireless networking gear, only to see its share drop back down to fourth place in February, according to NPDTechworld. The market researcher tracks sales at retail, which is where the bulk of wireless networking gear is sold.

Considering that Microsoft entered the Wi-Fi market in September, its early rise up the market share charts was very impressive, said NPDTechworld analyst Stephen Baker.

But in January, other Wi-Fi manufacturers started selling faster gear that caught on quickly with consumers. Microsoft delayed delivering products in this category ahead of the ratification for "g"-class routers. Wi-Fi gear in that category, however, has grabbed consumer attention and market share, apparently at Microsoft's expense.

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