arkados
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dLAN Audio World streams audio over HomePlug
We've never been huge fans of HomePlug -- 5GHz WiFi is our preferred obscure networking tech -- but the new dLAN Audio system from Arkados and devolo AG might have us reconsidering. The various dLAN components all simply plug into power outlets and connect to each other, instantly creating a whole-house audio streaming system. Arkados and devolo are hyping iPod compatibility, but we don't care about sources, really -- we just want to see how crazy speaker and radio designs can get when both power and signal are coming from one plug. Sadly, there are no pics, pricing, or availability yet, but we'll keep our eyes peeled.
STMicroelectronics and Arkados join up on HomePlug AV SoC
HomePlug AV has been around for what seems like eons, but regardless of how hard it tries, it never seems to really take hold in the market place. That being said, two big names in the industry are teaming up to give it yet another push, as STMicroelectronics and Arkados join hands to "develop and manufacture a 200Mbit-per-second HomePlug AV wideband powerline modem System-on-Chip (SoC)." If all goes to plan, it'll become the world's first HomePlug AV SoC, and it's being designed to "power applications ranging from simple Ethernet-to-powerline bridges to full-featured products as wide ranging as HDTV distribution, digital set-top boxes, IPTV, whole-house audio, networked digital picture frames, surveillance systems, etc." We'll see if anyone notices when it ships in mid-2009.
