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Complete internet downtime is no laughing matter, but more frightening still is the prospect that the world's data flow is completely beheld to a giant, taciturn Linksys WiFi router. South Park clip embedded after the break -- we're still trying to decide whether this trumps the Aqua Teen episode where they meet the Wwwyzzerdd, freakish master of the internet.

We're going to give Linksys a free pass on this ridiculous naming scheme just because we're actually happy to see a bigger name bringing a consumer-friendly wireless security camera to market for a reasonable price. The Linksys Wireless-G Internet Home Monitoring Camera WVC54GC is pretty straightforward for a networked camera, sporting 802.11g and 10/100 Ethernet connections, and VGA video recorded to a MPEG-4 or Motion JPEG codec. The camera can be limited to local network video streaming or opened up to the internets either publicly or privately. There's also a Security Mode setting that can send video snippets via email if the camera detects motion in its field of view. You can then remotely log on to the stream and set the video to record to a local hard drive or on a predetermined schedule. The camera is available now for a mere $120.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

What, haven't seen enough Media Center Extenders yet? We were hoping you'd say that, since we got some personal time with these Linksys DMA2100 and DMA2200 units. The DMA2200 sets itself apart with a DVD player, but really not a lot to say about these two. Pardon the dust.

Linksys is keeping us busy with their new Ultra RangePlus family of home networking gear. Announced are the draft 802.11n Gigabit Router ($130 WRT310N, pictured), the draft-N Broadband Router ($100 WRT160N), and a trio of Dual-Band draft-N products including a USB Notebook Adapter ($80 WUSB600N), an ExpressCard Adapter ($80 WEC600N), and new Gaming Adapter ($90 WGA600N). The WRT310N and WRT160N both feature new un-Linksys designs with a dumbed-down, flash-based user interface and enhanced RangePlus internal antenna to keep the clutter down. The dual-band gear split the load between 5GHz (HD streaming or gaming) and 2.4GHz (everything else). The WGA600N, WUSB600N and WEC600N will be available soon, the others now.

It's been almost a year since we first peeped the Linksys WRT600N, and although the company missed that estimated CES ship date, it's finally released the ominous-looking box for an MSRP of $279. As hinted by the model number, the router features 802.11n, but implements it simultaneously over both the 2.4 and 5GHz frequency bands, which should result in smoother connections for devices that support 5GHz. You're also looking at four Gigabit Ethernet ports, built-in FTP and UPnP A/V servers, and Storage Link, which lets you turn any USB storage device into a NAS. Linksys is also touting its Easy Link Advisor setup software, which we're certain most of you will never open. Connecting to this bad boy is the $99 WPC600N PC Card, which features the same Broadcom Intensi-Fi chipset as the 600N router. Both router and card should be in stores now, according to Linksys, with ExpressCard and USB adapters shipping in the first quarter of 2008.

Remember those Linksys Media Center Extenders that popped up yesterday? Well, today the duo has officially been priced, but there's no good news for folks hoping for these two to undercut the other guys. Up first is the DMA2200, which will of course sport an integrated "upscaling DVD player" along with the obligatory dual-band Wireless N functionality, while the DMA2100 arrives in a smaller package (see it up close after the break) but keeps to the basics by omitting the optical drive. Both boxes are set to land this November, and while the DVD playin' DMA2200 will run you $349.99, you can save $50 by opting for the lesser-spec'd sibling.

Want to spring out of your Windows Media Center situation, but don't have any good options? Well, you're in luck, because the good folks over at Linksys have whipped up a couple of wireless Media Center Extenders which might just do the trick... or wreck your home life. Feast your eyes on the DMA 2100 and DMA 2200 (pictured), two new offerings from the router-maker sure to please some of the people some of the time. Specs are thin right now, but what we do know is that the DMA 2200 sports an upscaling DVD player, both units have a "learning" remote, and the Extenders will be available sometime in November. For now, enjoy the photos, and your wild dreams of "sharing photos, music and movies" with friends and family.

[Thanks, Gordon]

Here at CEDIA, we were able to sit down with Microsoft and chat a bit about the newly unveiled Extenders for Windows Media Center. Initially, users will have a number of options, including a Niveus Media Extender, and boxes by Linksys and D-Link box. Reportedly, the devices will tout HDMI, component and composite outputs, an Ethernet port, and stereo / optical audio outs. Also, the boxes will support Full HD over 802.11n dual-band, but even the reps admitted that a wired connection was your best bet if you're looking to transmit HD. All of the aforementioned devices (save for Niveus' creation, which is already out of the bag) will be officially loosed at Digital Life later this month, and while we couldn't pry any hard pricing details out of 'em, it sounds like you'll need at least "a few hundred dollars" to pick up a low-ender.

T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home already brings WiFi VoIP to compatible cell phones, and the latest FCC filing from T-Mo and Linksys indicates that soon all the phones in your pad will be able to get in on the action: say hello to the WRTU54G. Apart from the T-Mobile branding and the two phone jacks on the back, the router features two user-accessible SIM card slots, which appear to be used to configure up to two phone lines -- we're not sure if they're VoIP or cell, however.

[Via TG Daily]

Well, it looks like Cisco CEO John Chambers spoke a little too soon last Friday when he said that the Linksys brand was going the way of the dodo -- Cisco is now saying that it will continue selling Linksys-branded products "in the near term," and that changes would only come "if and when these changes add value to our customers' decision making processes." In other words, Linksys ain't dead yet, but the axe is still mighty close.

Linksys fanboys, if there even are such creatures, best get used to seeing a lot more Cisco and a lot less of their favorite brand, as Cisco CEO John Chambers recently announced at a European roundtable discussion (video after the jump) that Linksys products would now sport the Cisco name. Chambers was quoted as saying that "it would all come, over time, into a Cisco brand," and he also noted that the reason the Linksys name was kept alive was because "it was better known in the US than even Cisco was for the consumer." As the firm "goes globally," he concluded, there would be "little advantage" in keeping it around. Sayonara, dear Linksys.

[Via TheInquirer]

It looks like Cisco is about to make its biggest push into the consumer market to date, with BusinessWeek reporting that the company is readying a "souped-up" set-top box that'll supposedly combine a number of different products into one. Of course, as BusinessWeek points out, this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, especially given the company's recent acquisitions of Linksys, Scientific-Atlanta, and KiSS Technology. As you may be able to surmise by that confluence of companies, the new do-it-all box will apparently be networked like nobody's business (wireless, naturally), including the ability to pull content off the Internet and distribute it to other devices around the house. It'll reportedly include its own web browser as well. While Cisco's pulling all the strings, it apparently won't be slapping its own name on the boxes, selling them instead directly to consumers under the Linksys brand and offering 'em up to various cable companies. If all goes as planned, you should be able to snag one for yourself by the end of this year or early next year.

[Thanks, Mercurial]

While Apple's iPhone remains behind closed doors, with secretive minions putting the last touches on the software and the hardware peeps chuckling to themselves about the crappy EDGE data they've managed to foist upon the public, there's another iPhone out there that could very well spice up your communications life, and won't cost you $600 to do it. We're referring to the Linksys iPhone, of course, the CIT300 Dual-Mode Skype model of which was recently put through its paces by TheTechLounge. Other than the fact that the $90 handset requires your PC to be on to make calls (you could always pick up the $150 CIT400, which just needs a broadband connection, if that's a deal breaker for you), the reviewer had no problem with setup or operation, and the voice quality and signal range were both robust. The handset itself is well built and comfortable, and while it can work with both your landline and Skype calls, if you're willing to spring for SkypeOut and SkypeIn you could really save a bundle, and it sounds like you wouldn't be taking much of a hit on convenience.

[Via The Inquirer]

11:06: "Welcome to the human network" -- Chambers starts in and welcomes us. We want products to be shared across any network, any devices, any content. We outlined a strategy first for the enterprise, then in the service provider market, and now in the consumer market we're also number one.

11:08: Enabling all forms of communication in IT. this is how Cisco approaches markets.: Vision --> Strategy --> Execution. Talking about the company history and Cisco's strategy over the past 10 years.

11:10: First phase of internet revolution led by business. We predicted it would soon be led by the consumer. Transforming the consumer experience as we transition from analog to digital. Next phase is networked: Analog --> digital --> networked.

11:12: Broadband starting to take over in US, finally.