IOGEAR intros USB-IF certified wireless USB hub

IOGEAR has launched its new Wireless USB (W-USB) hub and adapter kit, a combination of a receiving / transmitting base, and dongles which allow USB devices to communicate with the hub. Although we've seen a slew of these devices before (Belkin and Gefen's entries spring to mind), this is the first that we know of to be certified by the USB-IF, or USB Implementers Forum, which is basically the MPAA of USB devices... er, without the ratings. Regardless, the little package can get your USB devices to suddenly start rocking cable-free transfers at 480Mbps from 30-feet away, which should appeal to those of us looking for less clutter, USB-IF-blessed or not. The kit, which contains the base, antenna, power supply, and one adapter is available now for $199.99.

[Trond @ Sep 4th 2007 10:47AM]

That's 480Mbps _in theory_. Meaning that in real life, with the added delay of two more links in the chain (device-dongle-hub-computer, instead of device-computer), one'd be lucky to get more than 80-100Mbps, if that. Real-life W-USB working at 480Mbps won't be a reality until we one day get both motherboards and devices with it integrated.

That, however, will be an awesome day.

[shakman @ Sep 4th 2007 10:50AM]

This looks pretty neat. I hope the wireless adaptor can swivel at a right angle rather than sticking straight out the back of your device. It could be pretty awkward placing objects near walls otherwise.

[Neil @ Sep 4th 2007 12:35PM]

The USB dongle makes this only good for desktops and at that point a wireless usb hub just isn't that important.....call me when they have an expresscard adapter instead of the usb dongle. Oh and they need to get the price down by at least 70 bucks.

[Chris Kraynik @ Sep 4th 2007 1:02PM]

I'm surprised that I didn't hear about Wireless USB until now... guess I'm not keeping current. ;) I'm not clear on how this is ONLY useful for desktops, as (if anything) current laptops generally have LESS USB ports than current desktops. This saves you the trouble of packing wires, as you can substitute dongles.

This will catch on quickly when devices start building Wireless USB right in to devices such as external hard drives, at which point the best marketing teams (and those sold in RadioShack or whatever) will make some bank on their product. I wonder how much room the components of Wireless USB take up, as I'd love to see a flash memory chip in my pocket work as a wireless hard drive.

[Neil @ Sep 4th 2007 2:18PM]

Chris you totally misunderstood what I said. Having a thumb drive size usb dongle sticking out of your notebooks usb port is not cool and will probably lead to damage to the dongle and your notebooks usb port, hence why it really only works for desktops....and hence why I wanted an expresscard version (preferably one of those almost flush fit cards.

[Chris Kraynik @ Sep 5th 2007 12:00AM]

Ah, I see your concern... but I wouldn't call it a misunderstanding. I simply can't read your mind, Neil. *grin* I've been using little USB devices with my expensive laptop for years, and the worst I ever did was bend one of the USB wireless receivers slightly when someone pushed the laptop by accident. The USB ports are made to survive some abuse, to say the least.

I think wires are less "cool" than thumb drives... but hey, there's no accounting for taste. ;) If anything, wires are more dangerous to laptops because they can still result in the USB ports being damaged (in theory) and wires also snag stuff. So, yeah... I totally disagree.

[tk @ Sep 4th 2007 2:02PM]

"Oh, wireless usb. That's neat...certified, good...less clutter, I like less clutter...base, antenna, one adapt---$200!!!!?!!!?" **closes window**
**returns shortly to post comment about overpriced usb hub**

[Kashyap @ Sep 4th 2007 8:33PM]

I think, its probably the best idea for a clean desktop solution , i personally hate wires around my desktop for Wireless Devices like KVM's and other peripherals.At 480 Mbps its a gateway to unwire yourslef and make a full use of your usb devices with full speeds !