Olidata rolls out Wisair-based Wireless USB adapter set

Well, it's increasingly starting to look like the reports of Wireless USB's demise may have been at least slightly exaggerated, as Italy's Olidata has now followed Cables Unlimited's lead in releasing a Wireless USB adapter set based on Wisair's WSR601 single-chip solution. Like the Cables Unlimited set, the Olidata combo includes one adapter that plugs into your printer or other device and one that plugs into your laptop or desktop computer, which magically work together to let the two communicate with each other as if they were actually connected -- you can also plug the dongle into any old USB hub and instantly have a Wireless USB hub. Of course, with WiQuest now out of the picture, it's still far from a sure thing that Wireless USB will be around for the long haul, but those looking to get in on the standard while the going's good can apparently pick up Olidata's set in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the U.K now for €59, or roughly $75.

[Dan Davis @ Nov 17th 2008 5:00PM]

Nice Mark Twain reference!

[StalematE @ Nov 17th 2008 5:02PM]

there's something that makes me giggle everytime i see a hinged dongle... hehehehe

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 5:05PM]

I think it's just the word "dongle" in general. And for some reason, the only place I ever hear it used is Engadget... I someone has a secret infatuation for dongles. Or maybe just dongs.

[StalematE @ Nov 17th 2008 5:06PM]

perhaps the writirs are dongle mongers.

[BlurMagic @ Nov 17th 2008 5:11PM]

The Engadget Dongle Mongrels...


Lmao. Has a nice ring to it.

+1 for a good word that rhymes with "dongle"

[Valicore @ Nov 17th 2008 10:16PM]

Didn't the term dongle originate when in the late 90s they came out with the first LAN cards for laptops and you had to connect the dongle to them?

Also, if you look at the Quick Start Guide: http://www.olidata.com/wusb/files/documents/wusb/QuickStartGuide_en.pdf (thanks to BlackCoffeeNoSugar for find it and posting it on another comment here), the last thing it says is "Now you can play with your device"

Awesome.

[Chase @ Nov 17th 2008 5:03PM]

like that would work on my hackintosh

[rcappo @ Nov 18th 2008 10:36AM]

I need to find one of these that does work. I'm still wondering why they can't make it look just like a normal USB cable to the OS? The hardware should do all of the processing.

"Which Operating Systems does it support?

Microsoft Windows XP and Vista are already supported, Linux will be in a short time, Mac OS not foreseen yet."

I want to be able to wirelessly sync my iPod Touch. Fix it.

[james @ Nov 17th 2008 5:17PM]

does the remote end of the set get its power from whatever device its plugged into? the picture looks like it is in some cradle, is it battery powered? does it have to be recharged? how much power would be available on the remote plug? could it run a flash drive? what about a regular drive (4200 rpm obviously)? what is the range? these things must be answered!!! it would be cool if the remote end was powered by some wireless power transfer like frequency resonance generated by the base or somthing. I wonder if it works over multiple channels to allow multiple devices within range of eachother.

[BlackCoffeeNoSugar @ Nov 17th 2008 5:42PM]

Yes, the device end does require another power supply (included in the package). Have a look at the official Quick Start Guide (in PDF) http://www.olidata.com/wusb/files/documents/wusb/QuickStartGuide_en.pdf. It solves your puzzle. Talking about flash drives or 2.5" portable hard drives, I think if you actually need to plug the adapter in to the mains, it loses all the point for having it in the first place.

[StalematE @ Nov 17th 2008 5:31PM]

well if you do 11 seconds of research you would find out that it's not a recharge base, it's just an extension adapter... so you don't have to climb behind your computer to unplug it.

[McLovin @ Nov 17th 2008 6:03PM]

Yeah, but can it Aircrack?

[McLovin @ Nov 17th 2008 6:07PM]

Never mind, I'm stupid! -1

[collegekid13 @ Nov 17th 2008 6:26PM]

i was going to buy these until i found out they were 139.99 canadian. f that