You don't want IR communication. Bluetooth is too goofy-sounding. Wires... well, they suck. You want Wi-Fi, and the fine folks at Roving Networks have come up with the RN-XV to satisfy your needs.

This is a certified 802.15.4 Wi-Fi solution based on their RN-171 module that features:

• 802.11 b/g radio
• 32 bit processor
• TCP/IP stack
• real-time clock
• crypto accelerator
• power management unit
• analog sensor interface

What's particularly cool is that this fits in a standard XBee footprint! Move from XBee to Wifi, Presto-Chango, that easy!

What else does it offer?

• Additional I/O via onboard programmable GPIOs (8) and ADCs (3).
• The 14-bit ADC resolution (wow)
• The module is pre-loaded with Roving firmware to simplify integration and minimize development time of your application.
• Basic hardware configuration only requires four connections (PWR, TX, RX and GND) to create a wireless data connection.
  
  Features:

• Direct Internet connectivity provides internet access to every node
• Point to point connectivity to every node without the need for custom profiles
• Based on common 802.15.4 footprint
• Ultra low power: 4uA sleep mode, 38mA active
• Onboard TCP/IP stack includes DHCP, UDP, DNS, ARP, ICMP, HTTP client, FTP client and TCP
• Firmware configurable transmit power: 0dBm to 12dBm
• Hardware interfaces:TTL UART
• Host data rate up to 464Kbps over UART
• Supports Adhoc and infrastructure networking
• 8 general purpose digital I/O
• 3 analog sensor inputs
• Real-time clock for time-stamping, auto-sleep, and auto-wakeup modes
• Accepts 3.3VDC regulated power supply
• Configuration over UART or wireless interface (via Telnet) using simple ASCII commands
• Over the air firmware upgrade (FTP)
• Secure WiFi authentication: WEP, WPA-TKIP , WPA2-AES

Applications:

• Industrial metering
• HVAC control
• Room temperature sensors
• Pump configuration and control
• Telemetry
• Robotics
• PV / Solar controllers

Antenna:
UFL Connector (Antenna not included)

• [Data Sheet]: RN171XV Datasheet - Oct 2012
• [Documentation]: Product Briefs RNXV Bluetooth/Wi-Fi (PDF) - 2012
• [Documentation]: Application Notes Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) (PDF)