Listen, you probably shouldn't be here. The iPad is a pure and carefully honed machine. If its designers wanted you to use some kind of ludicrous hybrid contraption that fused a tablet with a physical keyboard and doubled the weight, they'd have built one for you. But they didn't. So go away and don't come back until you've saved enough money to buy a MacBook Air. (Still here? Good, because we're about to compare three of the latest iPad keyboard cases: the ClamCase Pro, Logitech's Folio and Belkin's Ultimate Keyboard, designed to fit 2nd, 3rd and 4th-gen tablets. Read on for more.)

Gallery: Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case

Gallery: ClamCase Pro

Gallery: Logitech Keyboard Folio

Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets

Comments

Remember the Belkin Thunderbolt Express dock that we first laid our peepers on back at CES 2012? Well, the device that looks to lend a hand to your desktop setup is now available. After upgrading the unit back in the summer of 2012, pre-orders went live in February with a ship date expected shortly thereafter. No word on the cause of the delay, but the $299 dock still offers dual Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining up to five gadgets, FireWire 800, Ethernet, and both 3.5mm audio input and output. If the wait hasn't swayed your interest, grab one immediately via the source link below, and in stores before the end of May.

Filed under: Peripherals

Comments

Source: Belkin

Linksys and Cisco are no longer one. The enterprise infrastructure giant, which acquired the home networking line in 2003, has officially passed the baton to Belkin. Under the new arrangement, Linksys devices and services, such as routers and Smart WiFi products, will fall under the Belkin umbrella. CEO Chet Pipkin announced plans to maintain both brands, adding that Linksys "will continue to exist and evolve to include even richer user experiences and network management functionality." Going forward, teams from both Linksys and Belkin may work together to create certain products, so we might begin to see new innovations that wouldn't have been possible otherwise. Consumers are unlikely to experience any hiccups during the transition -- the Linksys website will remain intact and support services will be available as always. Hit up the press release after the break for a few more details surrounding the acquisition.

Filed under: Networking

Comments

Word of an Android app for Belkin's line of WeMo home automation hardware came amid a flurry of CES news, and now the application has rolled onto Google Play in beta form just over a month later. The app is specifically tested for the Galaxy S III, but handsets toting Ice Cream Sandwich or higher will be able to take it for a spin. By wielding the application, users can control WeMo devices over WiFi and cellular networks, configure custom icons, tweak names, take care of local firmware updates and hook things up with IFTTT. Remote firmware updates, support content and WeMo rules have yet to be baked into the software, however. Belkin is hoping guinea pigs will report bugs, but can't guarantee they'll be fixed in the short term. Currently, the outfit says issues regarding poor signal strength and app crashes are on its radar. Looking forward to the polished, growing pain-free product? The final app is expected to arrive around the summertime.

[Thanks, Matt]

Filed under: Cellphones, Household, Tablets, Software, Mobile

Comments

Source: Google Play

Unless there's any more last-minute tweaks, those fussy perfectionists at Belkin are ready to lift the cloche on the Thunderbolt Express dock. We'd originally seen the unit at last year's CES, but the company postponed the launch after adding a trio of USB 3.0 ports and eSATA to the hardware. If you didn't give up and shell out for the Matrox DS1 in the meantime, you can pre-order the Thunderbolt Express today for shipping next week.

Update: eSATA, which was added to the roster last summer, was ultimately dropped from the final production version.

Filed under: Peripherals, Acer

Comments

Via: Pocket-lint

Source: Belkin

Yes, it's already possible to snag a "Lego" iPhone case, but only if you throw some cash Smallworks' way. If you've been waiting for one that bears Olé Kirk Christiansen's official branding, then you don't have much longer to wait. Belkin has signed a licensing deal with the toymaker that will allow it to produce a range of Lego-themed iOS device cases, offering a "buildable" experience -- whatever that means. Wake us up when they release a Mindstorms version, please.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Comments

Belkin has just struck a deal to acquire Cisco's Home Networking Business Unit, which will bring Linksys' name, products, technology and employees under its new owner's umbrella. Mothballing isn't in the cards for Linksys, however, as Belkin plans to keep the brand alive and even offer support for its existing products. The two networking titans haven't said a peep regarding a sticker price, but they expect the pact to be finalized in March. Once the transaction is rubber stamped, Belkin figures it'll compose roughly 30 percent of the home and small business networking retail market in the US. Hit the jump for the press release.

Filed under: Networking

Comments

Source: Belkin

Looking to keep an eye on things at home while you're away? If so, Belkin is looking to lend a hand with an HD version of its NetCam WiFi camera. The device touts 720p video and digital audio capture for monitoring on-the-go and boasts easy setup with an Android or iOS smartphone and your home's WiFi router -- no need to fire up that PC. Need to monitor your goods at night? No problem. This model features night vision, just like its elder sibling. A companion app handles the mobile workload and email alerts can be pushed to your inbox when motion is detected -- complete with a screenshot of the culprit. Additionally, the NetCam HD will launch with the recently outed WeMo SMART platform that leverages Belkin's home automation tools for a variety of in-home gadgets and appliances. Units are slated to hit shelves this spring, hoping to pry $149.99 out of your wallet before outfitting your flat.

Filed under: Cameras, Household, Wireless

Comments

If you've been planning on re-tooling your home network after the new year, Belkin has just outed a line of gadgets that could help do just that. The company has announced a pair of dual-band routers -- the AC1800 and AC750 -- that sport 802.11ac muscle, IntelliStream tech to prioritize video and gaming streams, and a MediaPlay app for pushing content to your TV that's powered by Twonky. Both devices also feature Smart Start which allows for quick setup with a mobile device and USB ports for added connections. The main difference? Speed. The AC1800 advertises speeds of 300Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1.3Gbps on 5GHz while the entry-level AC750 boats 300Mbps on 2.4GHz and 433Mbps on 5GHz. The AC1800 and AC750 are available now for $179.99 and $89.99 respectively.

In addition to the pair routers, Belkin also announced the AC WiFi Dual-Band USB Adapter. Compatible with 802.11g/n/ac routers, the wireless accessory touts speeds of up to 867Mbps when leveraging 802.11ac alongside USB 3.0 connectivity. The adapter is set to arrive sometime this spring carrying with it a price tag of $69.99.

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

Comments

Sure, Belkin's WeMo technology handles outlets and such with an iOS companion app, but now the company is looking to leverage the system with household appliances. WeMo Smart will allow companies to leverage Belkin's apps and existing tech to add new features to their various wares. At CES, a partnership with Jarden Consumer Solutions (JCS) -- the outfit behind brands like Mr. Coffee, Sunbeam, Crock-Pot and more -- has just been announced that will bring the home automation tech to remotely program an monitor small appliances. From the looks of it, you'll be able to turn off the coffee pot after you get to the office should you leave your house in a frenzy. The first WeMo outfitted products are set to arrive later in the year.

Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.

Filed under: Household, Wireless, Software

Comments

At CES 2012, Belkin outed its WeMo line of home automation products with the Home Control Switch and Motion Sensor with a Baby Monitor tacked on in October. This year in Las Vegas, the company adds a Light Switch to the family. When paired with an iOS device, WiFi router and your home's existing wiring, the Light Switch can be used to control lights from anywhere -- including scheduling -- via the WeMo app. Additionally, Belkin has announced that Android compatibility will be available with the device launches this summer or shortly thereafter. Ice Cream Sandwich is the minimum OS requirement, and beta testing is set to begin next month for Samsung Galaxy S III users.

Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.

Filed under: Household, Wireless

Comments

While Belkin has long been at the forefront of Apple accessories, offering everything from keyboard cases to baby monitors, it somehow left the audio arena unexplored. That ends today with the introduction of the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater. Behind that mouthful of a product name is essentially a portable speaker dock for the iPad housed inside a protective case, which seems a lot more reasonable than Bang & Olufsen's pricey speaker "wedge." The Thunderstorm's front-facing speaker system boasts full-range drivers and integrated air channels for "immersive sound" and "deeper bass." All the internals are powered by Audifi, a mobile audio engineering outfit that Belkin specifically hired for the project. As for the cover, Belkin took a cue from Apple's own magnetic offering, but went a step further with the addition of multifold creases for different viewing angles.

We spent a few days with the Thunderstorm and so far we're impressed with the volume and depth from such slim speakers. Though we didn't have a chance to test it, Belkin is also offering a free iOS app to accompany the product -- it essentially lets you fine-tune the audio with presets for music, movies and games. However the Thunderstorm is not without a few annoyances: the case adds an unsettling amount of bulk to the iPad and it's currently only available with the now-ancient 30-pin connector (we're told a Lightning-equipped version is due in Q2 2013). If you're happy with the ole universal dock though, you can pick this up in the coming weeks from Belkin's online store, Amazon.com or the Apple Store for $200 a pop. In the mean time, you can get a closer look at it with the galleries after the break.

Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.

Comments

Source: Belkin

If you decided to go small by getting an iPad mini but find yourself needing to do some serious work (like blogging, for instance), Belkin may have just the accessory: the Portable Keyboard Case. The removable chiclet-style keyboard marries up wirelessly with the 7.7-inch tab via Bluetooth and has "well spaced keys for its size," including custom iPad shortcuts, according to the peripheral maker. The battery lasts a whopping 155 hours between charges, and when the Starbucks staff finally kick you out, you can fold all your kit up into the built-in folio, complete with a camera-lens cutout. If that sounds like your cup of chai latté tea, hit the PR after the break.

Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets

Comments

When Apple dropped the 30-pin connector in favor of Lightning for the iPhone 5, new iPods and new iPads, it also dropped much of the current accessory market: short of an expensive adapter, years of collecting docks and more exotic peripherals were for nought. Belkin is stepping into that vacuum with what it says are the first officially sanctioned third-party Lightning accessories. Neither its Charge + Sync Dock (seen at left) for the iPhone 5 nor its Car Charger for Lightning (right) are what we'd call revolutionary, but they both cover missing pieces of the puzzle -- including Apple's, as the tech firm skipped making an iPhone dock of its own for this generation. Should either the audio-supporting dock or the iPad-capable charger sound appealing, both are up for pre-orders today and will ship in mid-November for $30.

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Tablets, Mobile

Comments

Via: The Next Web

Source: Belkin (dock), (charger)

Out of town for Halloween and worried that your empty house is getting filled with ethereal catburglars? You can't even see what they're taking! Belkin's got a solution for you with its new Wi-Fi NetCam, feeding your iOS or Android device (iOS 4.2 and up; Android 2.2 and up) a streaming video of, well, anywhere you decide to puts its NetCam. Belkin thankfully doesn't expect you to leave on your house lights while out of town, which is why the NetCam comes equipped with night vision, "for clear viewing even in low or no light;" also -- as Ghost Hunters tell us -- for spotting apparitions on the spectral plane. And great for catching your 14-year-old before he walks out at midnight with a carton of eggs!

The Belkin Wi-Fi NetCam is available now for online order directly from Belkin or via Amazon at $130, and arrives at US retailers in the coming months -- the NetCam app is already available on the iOS App Store and Google Play. We can't help but think it'd be a great pairing with Belkin's WeMo Switch, especially considering it'll take you one step closer to the Back to the Future 2 future we were all promised.

Filed under: Cameras, Household

Comments

Belkin's line of WeMo products is all about home automation, and its latest addition, the WeMo Baby, lets you listen to the cooing and crying of your offspring from afar. The device is a WiFi-enabled microphone that streams audio of your baby to up to six devices simultaneously -- provided they're running iOS 5 or higher and the free WeMo Baby companion app. That app's powered by Evoz's baby monitoring service and it works over a 3G, 4G, or WiFi connection. So, absentee parents can keep tabs on their bundle of joy whether they're in another room or sneaking a cold one at the pub round the corner. What's the price for such parental freedom? $90 when it goes on sale early next month. Full PR and an app screenshot can be found after the break.

Filed under: Misc

Comments

Source: Belkin

Proper home automation systems can cost upwards of $10,000, and while budget alternatives can't touch the level of integration you'll enjoy with a behemoth rig, all but the most sophisticated of homeowners can squeak by with a simple timer setup -- or the modern equivalent. Belkin's WeMo duo utilizes two types of plug-in modules paired with an iOS 5+ app, which you'll use to set macros, control lights and schedule on/off times. A Switch module can turn on and off a lamp, fan, coffee maker, television or heating appliance from a connected iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can also set a seemingly unlimited number of detailed schedules for each device, all from the comfort of your WiFi-equipped touchscreen handheld. You can integrate the optional Motion device with a set of macros as well, configuring your lights to turn on once you step through the foyer, or your coffee maker to launch a brew as you walk through your bedroom door.

We wired up a lamp in a New York City apartment to give WeMo a go, and things generally worked as advertised. Setup is fairly straightforward -- simply plug in a module, select its corresponding SSID broadcast from iOS then launch the free app to force the device onto your home WiFi network. You'll need to repeat the process to add each gadget or sensor, but once you do, you'll be able to config and control any connected gadget from anywhere on the network, or beyond. The system theoretically supports remote access without any additional setup (modules are registered to the app) but we weren't able to power up the lamp while on 3G during multiple attempts. That detail aside, we'd be happy to welcome WeMo into our home, though the absent Android app throws in a speed bump for sure. You have two options for adding WeMo -- there's a Switch + Motion kit available for $100, which includes a power control and motion sensor, or you can opt for the Switch solo for $50. Then, simply add as many outlet controllers as you wish, at 50 bucks a pop. You can see that first combo in action in our hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: Belkin WeMo for iOS hands-on

Filed under: Mobile

Comments

Belkin has unveiled @TVPlus, a media streamer that jacks into your home theater and pumps episodes of Community (or, other things, we guess) to your smartphone, tablet or laptop through the internet. Packing a built-in WiFi radio, you'll connect to it on your travels with the @TV app, which is capable of recording live TV straight to your mobile device for offline viewing. The app is free for tablets ($12.99 for smartphones) while the box itself will set you back $150 when it arrives in mid-July.

Filed under: HD

Comments

Gallery: Belkin AC1000 DB and AC1200 DB router press shots

Comments

Been quietly pining for Belkin's couch potato home automation solutions? Well, the wait is (almost) over, as the company has finally put its WeMo Switch and Motion products up for pre-order. You can reserve yours through Belkin or Amazon, with the Switch costing $49.99 and the Motion / Switch bundle setting you back a neat $99.99. Apple likes it enough to add the gear to its home-friendly repertoire in-store on the 26th, while other retailers, Verizon included, will be stocking them shortly afterwards. Rig the Switch up to your WiFi at home and you can control the flow of juice from its outlet via the WeMo iOS app (sorry, no Android love). Add in the motion detector and you can set rules for power control based on proximity triggers. Interestingly, Belkin also reports IFTTT integration, meaning the devices can be used for a lot more than the simple on / off remote commands and scheduling we originally thought. For those with iDevices, the free WeMo app is available now, not that it's particularly useful just yet. Need Mo? Check out the official PR and a promotional vid after the break.

Comments

At $399, this is a lot pricier than the $249 Matrox DS1 Thunderbolt dock we saw yesterday. That said, it'll bring superior connectivity when it arrives in September -- not least because Belkin has improved on the design it previously showed off at CES. There's Thunderbolt in and out to allow full 10Gbps daisy-chaining of further peripherals, alongside FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort (with included HDMI adapter) and audio in and out. As of the update, eSATA and three USB 3.0 ports have also been added to that healthy list.

Comments

Comments

Gallery: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock hands-on (video)

Comments

Gallery: Belkin WeMo hands-on

Comments

We first caught a glimpse of Belkin's Thunderbolt Express Dock back at IDF. Here at CES, the company has offered more info on the high-speed peripheral -- including an expected Summer 2012 arrival window. The dock features all sorts of added connection potential: three USB 2.0, two Thunderbolt, one FireWire 800, one HDMI, an Ethernet and a 3.5mm audio jack. Lending a hand to your port-deprived MacBook Air or Ultrabook via Thunderbolt, the peripheral offers the expected bi-directional transfer rates up to 10Gbps while keeping with the Apple color scheme. Pricing details aren't expected until closer to the ship date, but for now, take a look at the design render and PR just past the break.

Update: We've just been passed some official images for the Thunderbolt dock. Peep 'em in the gallery below.

Gallery: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock

Comments