In this paper, we attempt to describe the evolving status of wireless communications and its impact on the future of mobile computing. We present a historical perspective and elucidate the technical challenges facing mobile computing in the next generation of wireless networks. Next generation wireless includes the cellular evolution towards third generation systems (W-CDMA, cdma2000, etc.) and the proliferation of high-speed wireless indoor office networks. From global roaming to innovative applications, the next generation of wireless communications promises to enable a level of mobile data connectivity and capability that is unprecedented. However, many challenges concerning network and terminal designs remain. While more information is being placed on internal corporate web sites,high-speedweb accesswill also be a fundamental tool for the mobile professional. Web accessgrows at an alarming rate, driving data traffic to roughly double every two years. Market penetrationof Internet ...