Should This Have A Wireless Bonus?, A Comprehensive Look At Every Extant Piece of 'Ware Options

[Umidori]

I'm not opposed to the idea of giving Wireless Bonuses to certain pieces of gear if they are connected to the Matrix. As a pure concept, it makes sense. Where it falls apart is in applying it to things which have no logical reason to require a Wireless Connection, such as the now infamous Wired Reflexes and Reaction Enhancers.

So, in that spirit, I've gone through the vast majority of different pieces of cyberware available in SR4, and evaluated each to see if I believe it can or should logically benefit from a Wireless connection. So without further ado, "Should This Have A Wireless Bonus?"

Headware

Attention Coprocessor: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Commlink: A wireless device by nature, but a matrix connection is only required for Matrix Actions, NO.
Control Rig: Used via full VR, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Cranial Bomb: Can be remotely triggered, but doesn't have to be, and not the sort of device that should have bonuses, NO.
Data Filter: Can be remotely triggered, but doesn't have to be, and not the sort of device that should have bonuses, NO.
Data Lock: An upgraded Data Jack, this is wired-only device, NO.
Data Jack: This is a wired-only device, NO.
Encephalon: DNI, has no need for connectivity, already benefits Matrix Actions passively, NO.
Invoked Memory Stimulator: Can be remotely triggered, but doesn't have to be, and not the sort of device that should have bonuses, NO.
Math SPU: DNI, has no need for connectivity, already benefits Matrix Actions passively, NO.
Olfactory Booster: Has no need for connectivity, however can be connected to PAN "to create an even more thorough AR experience", could see this giving bonuses for AR, so YES.
Orientation System: Can operate somewhat without connectivity, but integrated GPS and map-downloading are obvious Matrix connected bonuses, YES.
Radar Sensor: A sensor system, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Sim Module: The equivalent of a VCR or a Disc Drive, receives it's data either from a Data Storage Device or from the Matrix, not the sort of device that should have bonuses, NO.
Simsense Booster: DNI, has no need for connectivity, already benefits Matrix Actions passively, NO.
Taste Booster: Has no need for connectivity, however can be connected to PAN "to create an even more thorough AR experience", could see this giving bonuses for AR, so YES.
Tooth Compartment: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Ultrasound Sensor: A sensor system, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Voice Mask: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Voice Modulator: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.

Eyeware

Cybereyes: Can receive data from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Eye Laser System: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Eyeband: Operates as Cybereyes, NO.
Eye Recording Unit: Can deliver data to other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO
Flare Compensation: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Image Link: Can receive data from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Low-Light Vision: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Microscopic Vision: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Ocular Drone: Operates as per Cybereyes while implanted, as a Drone while not, connectivity issues already handled as a Drone, NO.
Protective Covers: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Retinal Duplication: Has no need for connectivity, NO.
Single Cybereye: Operates as Cybereyes, NO.
Smartlink: Can receive data from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Thermographic Vision: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Vision Enhancement: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Vision Magnification: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.

Earware

Audio Enhancement: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Balance Augmenter: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Cyberears: Can receive data from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Damper: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Ear Recording Unit: Can deliver data to other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Increased Sensitivity: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Select Sound Filter: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Sound Link: Can receive data from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Spatial Recognizer: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.

Bodyware

Auto-Injector: Can be remotely triggered, but doesn't have to be, and not the sort of device that should have bonuses, NO.
Balance Tail: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Biomonitor: Can deliver data to other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Bone Lacing: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Blood Circuit Control System: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Cyberfins: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Cyber Safety: An RFID that is paired to a firearm's safety RFID, technically wireless, but not Matrix connected, renders cyber-smartlinks hacking immune, NO.
Dermal Plating: Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Dermal Sheath: Can receive data from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Fingertip Compartment: Manual operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Flex Hands: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Foot Anchor: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Gastric Neurostimulator: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Grapple Gun: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Grip Feet: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Internal Air Tank: DNI/Manual operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Magnetic System: DNI, has no need for connectivity, and in fact inhibits Wireless communications, NO.
Move-by-Wire System: DNI, can receive data (Skillsofts) from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Muscle Replacement: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
OXSYS Cybergill: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Reaction Enhancers: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Retractable Climbing Claws: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Simrig: An upgraded Sim Module, receives it's data either from a Data Storage Device or from the Matrix, not the sort of device that should have bonuses, NO.
Skillwire Expert System: DNI/Passive operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Skillwires: DNI, can receive data (Skillsofts) from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Skinlink: Adaptation for other devices, this results in a "wired" device, N/A.
Smart Articulation: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Smuggling Compartment: Manual operation, has no need for connectivity, NO.
Touch Link: I'm not even sure what this thing actually does, but... Can receive data from other sources, but merely requires a device connection, not a matrix connection, NO.
Wired Reflexes: DNI, has no need for connectivity, NO.

Other types of cyberware not included in this list are Cyberlimbs (which I'm told don't get Wireless Bonuses anyway), Cyberlimb Enhancements, Cyberlimb Accessories, Cyberweapons, Biodrone Control devices (which are highly out of the ordinary), Cosmetic 'Ware (which is cosmetic), and Nanocybernetics (also exotic, not to be confused with Nanoware, and I'm not entirely certain if they are controlled via wireless, or DNI, or what, exactly).

~~~~~~~

As you can see, the vast majority of cyberware is DNI controlled or operates passively, so a Wireless Connection is neither needed nor makes any sense.

There are a number of devices which can be remotely triggered via Wireless Command, but this merely involves their "listening" for an appropriate command (and because of this they are already hackable), so Wireless Bonuses make no sense.

There are a number of devices (such as Image Links or Sound Links) which can receive data from other devices, but said data can be received through a "wired" connection such as a fiberoptic cable or a skinlink and need not be received from the Matrix, so Wireless Bonuses again make no sense.

There are a number of devices (such as Eye Recording Units or Ear Recording Units) which can deliver data to other devices, but said data can be delivered through a "wired" connection such as a fiberoptic cable or a skinlink and need not be sent via the Matrix, so Wireless Bonuses again make no sense.

I personally identified only 3 pieces of cyberware that have remotely compelling reasons to grant bonuses when connected to the Matrix.

The Orientation System does not function at full capacity without it's GPS triangulation, and likewise cannot download and update maps without a Matrix Connection. The Olfactory Booster and Taste Booster both explicitly mention their usage in regards to AR experiences, so if you want to be able to "smell" and "taste" AR data that isn't preprogrammed on your commlink or other storage device, you will need a Matrix Connection.

If you disagree with my assessments on any individual pieces of 'ware, please feel free to post an organized, logical rebuttal.

~Umi