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802.11n posts

Xbox 360 802.11n adapter rebirths on Costco site, ships November 10th for $88

by Ross Miller posted Nov 5th 2009 at 4:54PM

You can't keep a phoenix down and this Xbox 360 wireless n adapter seems to be a bird of similar feather. After discretely showing up on US retail sites and subsequently managing to drop off into internet obscurity, the 802.11n-compliant peripheral has returned to the scene via Costco's site, this time with a November 10th shipping date and a more attractive than before $88 price tag. With only five days until the 10th, will this finally be the price and date that stick? Who knows -- but at least this time we won't have to wait long to find out.

[Thanks, WeakSasco]

Atheros brings 802.11n to cellphones with AR6003, is one antenna short of a pair

by Tim Stevens posted Nov 3rd 2009 at 7:51AM

Atheros brings 802.11n to cellphones, is one antenna short of a pair

802.11n is a wonderful thing, providing 144Mbps bandwidth and reliable connections over impressive distances, but part of that wonder comes thanks to a reliance on dual antennas. Twice the antennas means twice the streams (MIMO, ya dig?), but Atheros has decided to ditch one for its new mobile-friendly AR6003 chip. It's a power-saving move called "one-stream 11n," and while we've seen it before that doesn't mean we have to like it. Atheros's solution provides a maximum throughput of 85Mbps, which is frankly nothing to shake a stick at, and despite that will suck down 20 percent less power than its earlier AR6002 802.11a/b/g chip. In other words, we'll rock it in our celly -- begrudgingly.

[Via Register Hardware]

Xbox 360 Wireless N adapter disappears from the internets

by Thomas Ricker posted Nov 3rd 2009 at 7:16AM

Today's the day that a GameStop listing had Microsoft's Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter going live for retail. So how's that $100 worth of throughput treating you? What's that... it's not actually for sale? Indeed: the entry has been pulled from GameStop and a Google Shopping search reveals only a single Buy.com entry showing the adapter as "temporarily sold out." That's wishful thinking. While Microsoft has confirmed the adapters' existence they have not officially announced a street date or price. We'll let you know if that changes.

Update: Amazon.fr lists the adapter for 80 euro bucks with an expected November 20th ship. We'll see.

[Thanks Adam and Tim Ashman for pre-modified photo]

TRENDnet 'world's smallest' Wireless N travel router now on sale

by Darren Murph posted Oct 21st 2009 at 3:01AM

Looking to take 802.11n to places you never thought possible? You know -- like your studio apartment on the Upper East Side? TRENDnet's Wireless N Travel Router (which was announced way back at CES) is tailor made for cramped spaces, fitting within the palm of your hand and offering up a single WAN port, a carrying case and a USB socket. Unfortunately there's no internal battery to keep this puppy alive in the wild, but for $79.99 we can't kvetch too much.

Apple quietly updates AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule, promises improved performance

by Darren Murph posted Oct 20th 2009 at 12:43PM

Just as it did in March, Apple has subtly updated both the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule, this time improving performance on both. According to new testing between today's model and yesterday's edition, the AE Base Station (which ships within three days for $179) can hum along at up to 25 percent faster thanks to undisclosed tweaks to the antenna design, while the Time Capsule's improved antenna promises the same. Just as before, both of these devices support dual-band 2.4GHz / 5GHz transmissions, though we can't seem to find an "802.11n draft" phrase anywhere on either page. Apple hasn't gone out of its way to say that both of these are certified with the final specification, but it's certainly a possibility. Finally, the new Time Capsule promises Time Machine backups in Snow Leopard that are some 60 percent faster than before; we're not sure whether to celebrate with new buyers or weep with existing ones, but it should ship within three days for $299 (1TB) / $499 (2TB).

Read - Updated AirPort Extreme
Read - Updated Time Capsule

Apple 3x3 access point hits the FCC with 5.8GHz bands

by Ross Miller posted Oct 19th 2009 at 10:41PM

The FCC did let one Apple product through to its online database tonight, although nothing that'll excite you quite like magical mice or revved up iMacs. Instead we're looking at models A1354 and A1355, a pair of 802.11 a/b/g/n 3x3 access points with the exact same, nondescript label picture that indicates some heft to the unit. There's not much to say here, although the A1354 had a revision on the antenna gain in the 5.8GHz band. At this point it's just another thing to add to that penciled-in list of rumored Apple announcements for tomorrow morning.

Read - BCGA1354
Read - BCGA1355

GameStop listing points to November 3rd launch, $100 price for 802.11n Xbox 360 adapter

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 5th 2009 at 4:53PM

We already had some indication that Microsoft's new Wireless N adapter for the Xbox 360 would pack the same $100 MSRP as its predecessor, but it looks like a new GameStop listing has now all but confirmed it, and the other big remaining detail: a release date. Unless someone seriously got their wires crossed, it looks like the adapter will start shipping on November 3rd, which we presume is also the date that the MSRP of the previous generation WiFi adapter will officially drop (to $80, last we heard), 'cause GameStop sure isn't going to be moving many of them at the $100 it's asking right now.

[Via Joystiq]

Wi-Fi Alliance updates Certified 802.11n program, intros shiny new logo

by Darren Murph posted Oct 1st 2009 at 3:31AM

It's all paperwork at this point, but you had to know that the Wi-Fi Alliance wouldn't just let the two-year old 802.11n draft 2.0 program remain as it was now that the protocol is finally finished, right? Announced today, said organization is updating the Wi-Fi Certified program to add testing for "popular optional features now more widely available in WiFi equipment," all of which are detailed in the read link. The real news, however, is the new face. On the same day that we were shown an absolutely spectacular new Windows 7 logo -- one that will inevitably mar your next laptop's palm rest -- the Wi-Fi Alliance (or the WFA, as we call 'em at the poker table) is rolling out an updated logo, family of taglines and product labeling matrix. Thrilling, isn't it? Head on past the break for a few more... if you're into that kind of thing.

[Via PC World]

Continue reading Wi-Fi Alliance updates Certified 802.11n program, intros shiny new logo

Fonera 2.0n web applications router now available in the US

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 24th 2009 at 4:32PM

It can get a bit confusing at times amid all the announcements about announcements, but the folks at FON have now finally confirmed that their Fonera 2.0n "web applications" router is indeed available in the US, and for the bargain price of just $99. As its name suggests, in addition to functioning just fine as a regular 802.11n router, this one will also let you manage a whole host of web applications like Twitter, Facebook or Flickr even when your computer is turned off -- finally giving you the ability to, for instance, tweet when an upload or download has completed (a surefire way to hang onto those followers you've amassed). Still not up to speed on all this Fonera business? Don't worry, there's a helpful video after the break.

[Via Wi-Fi Planet]

Continue reading Fonera 2.0n web applications router now available in the US

TRENDnet claims 'world's smallest' Wireless N USB adapter crown

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 24th 2009 at 6:23AM

We know, you get it -- companies are making extremely small peripherals lately. If it ain't thumb drives it's microSD card readers. Now the kids at TRENDnet want to make sure that all you newly-minted 802.11n users aren't left in the dust, so they've proudly announced TEW-648UB. Billed as the world's smallest Wireless N USB adapter (take that, Mvix!), this guy features one-touch WPS technology and Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) Quality of Service prioritization of video, audio and gaming traffic. Available soon with an MSRP of US $24.99.

Show full PR text

World's Smallest Wireless N USB Adapter Now Available from TRENDnet

TORRANCE, Calif. –September 22, 2009–TRENDnet, a best-in-class wired and wireless networking hardware brand, today announces the availability of the world's smallest 150Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter, model TEW-648UB. The ultra compact form factor is slightly larger than a U.S. quarter, measuring a remarkable 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) from end to end.

The 150Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter connects a laptop or desktop computer to a wireless n network at up to 6x the speed and 3x the coverage of a wireless g connection. One-touch Wi-Fi Protected Setup or WPS technology eliminates the hassle of entering complicated codes in order to connect to a wireless network. Simply press the WPS button on a compatible router (most TRENDnet routers feature a WPS button), then press the WPS button on TRENDnet's 150Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter, confirm that you want to connect, and you're connected!

Advanced wireless encryption protects your valuable data. Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) Quality of Service prioritizes important video, audio and gaming traffic to create a premium wireless experience.

"We have looked high and low and are confident in our claim that the TEW-648UB is the smallest adapter on the market today. In fact t it is half the size of the average wireless N USB adapter." stated Zak Wood, Director of Global Marketing for TRENDnet. "Despite its' diminutive size, it performs well. We welcome all independent tests against any other 150Mbps (or 1x1) adapter on the market today. The adapter features an equally small price tag. With a predicted street price in the low $20 range, this adapter sets a new price-to-performance standard."

The 150Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter, model TEW-648UB, has an MSRP of US $24.99.

This product will be available from all of TRENDnet's online, retail, DMR, and distribution partners.

Microsoft fesses up to 802.11n Xbox 360 adapter, short on details

by Paul Miller posted Sep 21st 2009 at 6:49PM

In a startlingly new twist on the standard non-denial denial of the incredibly obvious existence of an upcoming product, Microsoft has done the world a favor in confirming the 802.11n adapter it has in the works for the Xbox 360. Unfortunately, the company stopped there, failing to mention price, launch date or the all important HOT or NOT score of the upcoming unit. As Joystiq points out, Microsoft did say that the adapter will offer "another choice to consumers," which means the original adapter might be sticking around for a bit -- at hopefully a cheaper pricepoint -- but that's about all we've got to go on at the moment. So... we're pretty much back where we started from, but now we're officially in the dark.

Xbox 360 802.11n adapter spotted in Gears of War 2 box, longs for the comfort of your living room

by Paul Miller posted Sep 19th 2009 at 11:02PM

You know us, we're the epitome of patience. Always waiting for things so patiently. But you know what we can't wait another second for? An 802.11n adapter for our Xbox 360. The good news is that the thing looks positively imminent, after an FCC showing this week and now an appearance on a flyer inside a Gears of War 2 Game of the Year edition box in Italy. Can't you just taste the 802.11n wafting over the Atlantic? The eternal optimists over at Joystiq also think that this flier might point to a co-existence of both types of WiFi adapter, and potentially a price cut for the overpriced original, but we suppose we'll just have to wait and find out.

[Via Joystiq]

Xbox 360 802.11n WiFi adapter floats through the FCC

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 15th 2009 at 1:12AM

See those two antennas? They can only mean one thing: lickity-quick 802.11n WiFi on Microsoft's unannounced Xbox 360 adapter. Of course, the FCC label reads, "Xbox 360 wireless N networking adapter," leaving little doubt as to its purpose. A spec bump that should push the raw data rate to at least twice what you've seen on 802.11b/g networks while offering more options for placement thanks to improved range. What, you do have an 802.11n network at home, right? It's IEEE official now, you know?

It's official! 802.11n standard finalized after a mere seven years

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 12th 2009 at 7:01PM

Remember when the Wi-Fi Alliance finalized the 802.11 draft-n spec some two and a half years ago? Of course you don't -- as long as your media players, laptops, and the like can connect to each other (and to the cloud) without a hiccup you probably don't care about IEEE's paper trail. The standard, which saw no major changes between then and now (meaning that all your draft-n devices should work fine with the finalized standard) theoretically connects at 300Mbps, or about six times the peak speed of 802.11g. But you already know that, since you've been using it for years now. The final standard is set to be published mid-October.

Netgear ships ultra-speedy WNDR3700 dual-band router

by Darren Murph posted Sep 1st 2009 at 11:56AM

If you've grown increasingly incensed by those annoying dropouts caused by your 80s-era wireless router, it looks like Netgear has your cure. Though, we must say, there's at least a decent chance you don't have the coinage to procure said medicine. At $190, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WNDR3700) is one of the pricier WLAN routers on the market, though the amenities list is pretty impressive. The ReadyShare feature enables any USB hard drive to be viewed on the network, while the DLNA support and "real-world" throughput of 350Mbps shines up an already glistening device. There's even a broadband usage meter for those unfortunately dealing with Comcast caps, and if you actually use this as a remote media server, you'll definitely want to keep an eye on that.

[Via HotHardware]