Final answer:
The first widely adopted wireless technology was 802.11b, part of the 802.11 Wi-Fi standards. It offered improved range and data rates over its predecessor. The technology, along with Bluetooth, marked significant advancements in wireless communications, utilizing microwaves to transmit data over the air.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first widely adopted wireless technology was 802.11b. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) developed the 802.11 standards for wireless networks, often referred to as Wi-Fi. The 802.11b standard, which was ratified in 1999, followed the original 802.11 standard and quickly became popular due to its improved range and higher data rate of up to 11 Mbps (megabits per second), using the 2.4-GHz frequency band. This technology brought significant advancements to wireless communication, enabling devices like laptops, smartphones, and other wireless-enabled devices to connect to the internet without the need for physical cables.
Bluetooth technology, developing concurrently, took advantage of similar frequency ranges for short-range communication between devices such as headphones, car systems, and mobile devices. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies leveraged microwaves for transmitting data, which was a significant improvement in technology allowing various applications including phone calls and data transfer without relying solely on wired connections.