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Ask Engadget: Best wireless router with USB printing capabilities?
If your low-rate router fails on you, you might as well select a replacement with more utility than the one you're burying, right? Axel sure thinks so: "My bargain-basement CompUSA-branded wireless router is finally starting to fail on me, prompting me to buy a new one. I want to get my huge color laser printer (a Konica Magicolor 2400w) off my desk and tucked away next to the router, so I want it to have wireless USB print hub functionality. Gigiabit Ethernet and Draft-N are also necessary here, as I am eventually going to be adding media clients around the house to stream to every TV. Thanks a lot!"So, there you have it -- which wireless router will provide solid, relaiable USB printing while handling the heavy loads of high-def streaming? Think carefully, you wouldn't want to ruin this guy's life. Oh, and if you have a question of your own you'd like to see here, send it over to ask at engadget dawt com.
SerComm intros 3G femtocell / DSL WiFi router combo
Ubiquisys is on a serious tear here at Mobile World Congress, dishing out not one, but two partnerships in the integrated home gateway arena. If you'll recall, we already heard that said outfit has helped Netgear push out a femtocell / DSL WiFi router combo, and now it looks like SerComm will be doing likewise. Its FC210U is now readily available to deliver increased cellular coverage, WiFi and DSL services in homes, though you can bet this one's currently reserved for markets not named USA. Which is a crying shame, for the record.
TRENDnet unloads one more at CES: TEW-673GR Wireless N gigabit router
If you haven't seen enough of TRENDnet here at CES, you haven't been looking, but for those in need of a new wireless router, these choices are certainly sights for sore eyes. The latest entry from the company here in Vegas is the TEW-673GR 300Mbps Concurrent Dual-Band Wireless N Gigabit Router. Constructed with a dual-band Atheros chipset, the device can handle both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks simultaneously; essentially, this enables low-bandwidth clients to be assigned to the more congested 2.4GHz band while high-bandwidth, latency-sensitive applications (such as HD streaming and online gaming) head to the uncongested 5GHz band. Can't help you out on a price, but it should be filtering out in short order.
TRENDnet churns out TEW-647GA Wireless N gaming adapter
Not quite sure what makes this "gaming router" so suitable for you "gamers" out there, but TRENDnet's a firm believer that its CES-announced TEW-647GA is ready and willing to handle those online deathmatches. Though not nearly as minuscule as the TEW-654TR, this 300Mbps 802.11b/g/n router promises a lag-free connection (provided that your broadband connection is worth a darn) and simple setup with PCs and all manners of game consoles. Check it someday after today for some price greater than a penny.
TRENDnet produces world's smallest Wireless N travel router
Looking to drag that 802.11n connectivity with you to even the zaniest of places? Those newly implemented baggage rules totally cramping your style? Enter TRENDnet's TEW-654TR, a 300Mbps Wireless N Travel Router kit which is supposedly small enough to slip completely away into the average front pocket. The device only has a LED indicator, 10/100Mbps Ethernet port, a MIMO antenna and an AC socket. No price is mentioned, but don't count on the sticker being proportionally small.
Netgear intros two new home routers, one 3G WWAN router
Netgear's dropping a bunch of new kit here at CES, so we'll get right to the networking piece here. First up is the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N modem / router (DGND3300), which integrates an ADSL2+ modem with a 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless router. Following that is the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WNDR3700), which is the first product to introduce the outfit's fifth-generation industrial design. It's also packin' 2.4GHz / 5GHz support along with an inbuilt USB port for hooking up a wireless printer. Finally, the 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router (MBR624GU) does exactly what it says, which is to create a WiFi hotspot by plugging in a USB 3G modem. No prices are mentioned for any of these, but they should be in stores here shortly.%Gallery-40402%
D-Link's Xtreme N DIR-685 router is also a digiframe / NAS device
Go 'head, D-Link, get down with your bad self. Seriously, we can't remember the last time a router got us all hot and bothered, but this one's just too wild to not get stoked about. The Xtreme N DIR-685 is hailed as an "all-in-one home network router," and we'd say it puts a new meaning to "all-in-one." Aside from handling the normal duties of an 802.11n wireless access point, the device also includes a 3.2-inch LCD for displaying photos and / or widgets. As if that wasn't zany enough, it also supports both UPnP server functions and BitTorrent downloads. How so, you ask? The twin USB ports on the rear enable users to plug in vanilla external hard drives and essentially convert them into NAS drives, making the data on each accessible over the web. Sadly, no price is mentioned for this conglomerate, but we don't expect it to come cheap.
Realtek employees leak OS X WiFi drivers for the MSI U100 Wind
Although not officially posted on its website (yet), Realtek has reportedly been sending out an OS X driver for its RTL8187SE wireless card found in MSI's U100 Wind. Various posters at the MSI Wind forums say they were sent the driver from Realtek employees after contacting the company, which invariably led to the drivers being uploaded to RapidShare for everyone to grab. Apparently the card isn't recognized as an Airport device, and forum users are suggesting to instead get the Real WLAN Client Utility. Supposedly, Realtek employees stated (via email) that the driver would be released before December 15, though according to some posters, the company has already missed a November date -- so if you want the driver now, your best bet is to start scavenging the forums.[Via GottaBeMobile]
Ask Engadget: What's the most reliable wireless router?
The latest question to fly into our Ask Engadget mailbox (which is ask at engadget dawt com, for those unaware) concerns wireless routers. But not just any wireless router. We're talking wireless routers that offer up rock solid reliability day after day, transfer after transfer. "What is the best wireless router in terms of reliability? I know that question has been covered before, but most people just answer with whatever router they own. I've had issues with routers. Gone through three Netgears and a Linksys that after a certain amount of time cease to hold a decent connection. I'm wondering if people know of a solid router that might be a little less mainstream." Who better to ask about the underground WiFi router scene than Engadget readers, right? Help this poor fellow out -- one more dropped connection whilst racking up frags and he's going to have a catastrophic meltdown.
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXIII: AirPort Express gets expressly aped
Listen up, KIRF fans. We've got a real unique one on our hands today, as this critter copies not one, but two entities in a single fell swoop. For starters, the company is named CNet Technology -- we'll let you do the math there -- and secondly, this thing looks just about exactly like Apple's own AirPort Express. Sure, there are a few extra LEDs on there to really ugly it up, but only someone in serious denial would ever say this thing didn't get its inspiration from Cupertino. Officially dubbed the CWR-635M, this portable router / WAP simply plugs into one's wall socket and provides a pair of Ethernet jacks and two USB ports locally for even more networking fun. There's no telling if this copycat will ever be released on US soil, but given that made it into the FCC's database, we reckon anything is possible.
Hitachi demonstrates wireless HD camcorder transfer at CEATEC
If you're still in disbelief that wireless HD is finally catching on, here's yet another demonstration that just may sway you into being a believer. Hitachi demonstrated a wireless HD camcorder setup at CEATEC in Japan, which saw a hacked up handycam get fitted with a protruding wireless card and stream high-def content to a nearby TV via DLNA (got all that?). Obviously, there's no telling when or if the company will clean the application up and bring it to retail, but in all seriousness, we have our doubts about the value proposition here.
Aruba Networks, Babylon provide WiFi for US soldiers in Iraq
Aruba Networks already installed the "world's largest" WLAN network at The Ohio State University, but its latest deployment just seems strangely more, how do we say... patriotic. Tag-teaming with Babylon Telecommunications, the pair has rolled out a WiFi network that will provide internet access to over 20,000 US soldiers at Joint Base Balad in Iraq. Believe it or not, there was no existing authorized web access at the base before these two stepped in, but thanks to a contract awarded by the Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES), troops at the largest US military base in the region can now e-mail loved ones with ease, test their ping times from the sandbox and join a few online poker tournaments during down time. [Via InformationWeek, image courtesy of DefenseLink]
ASUS USB-N11 Wireless N USB adapter ships with EZLink
We'll admit, ASUS has us scratching our noggins on this one. Just last month, the outfit coaxed us into believing that EZLink was simply its way of saying DisplayLink. Now, however, it seems that it's a blanket term being used anytime ASUS "simplifies" something. Whatever the case may be, the outfit has introduced its newest Wireless N USB adapter, the USB-N11. Sporting integrated support for Mac, Windows and Linux-based computers, this draft-N compliant device also features a WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) button -- this is where the EZLink comes in -- that "allows users to setup a protected networking environment with ease." Per usual, there's no mention of a price or release date, so it's on you to keep an eye out for it to land anytime, anywhere.[Via I4U News]
Netgear's WGR614L Wireless-G router openly plays nice with Tomato / DD-WRT
Although Linux-based Tomato and DD-WRT firmwares work with a plethora of routers, Netgear is getting savvy with its marketing by actually aiming its WGR614L at tweakers who just melt upon hearing either term. The so-called open source Wireless-G router features a 240MHz MIPS32 CPU, 4MB of flash memory, 16MB of RAM, an external 2 dBi antenna and a second internal diversity antenna to enhance range. Additionally, the unit will "soon" support OpenWRT, and there's also four 10/100 Ethernet ports in case you're looking for a bit of wired action as well. Potentially best of all, the WGR614L is available as we speak for a very manageable $69.
Skyworks' BAW filters let WiMAX and WLAN play nice with each other
While devices that integrate WiFi and WiMAX are hardly anything new, Skyworks now looks to be taking some further steps to ensure that the two frequency neighbors play nice with each other, with it today introducing what it claims are the "industry's first" bulk acoustic wave (or BAW) filters that enable WiMAX and WLAN co-existence. Those filters include the SKY33107 WiFi reject/WiMAX pass filter, and the SKY33108 WiFi pass/WiMAX reject filter, each of which measure a mere 3 millimeters square. That, Skyworks says, makes them ideal for just about any consumer or enterprise application, including USB dongles, laptops, ultra-mobile computers, and femto and pico base stations. Just don't expect 'em to show up en masse until sometime in the fourth quarter of this year, although hardware makers interesting in testing them out can apparently get their hands on some engineering samples now.
D-Link launches Quadband DIR-855 Wireless N Router
Perpetual HD media streaming and online deathmatches got your current router in a bind? D-Link's looking to solve said quandary by introducing the Quadband DIR-855 Wireless N Router, which quite simply "supports true concurrent 802.11n transmission over both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels at the same time." Granted, you'll need a wireless chipset capable of detecting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels or either the company's own DWA-160 USB adapter to take advantage, but we suppose that's the price you pay for being able to "segregate your network by application." You'll also find 5 gigabit Ethernet ports for those times when only wires will suffice, and the OLED display up top keeps things flashy, too. Expect this one to land in May for a stiff £169.99 ($337).[Via TrustedReviews]
Duke University: home to world's largest 802.11n wireless network
We know, most of you Blue Devil fans are still reeling from that recent loss to Wake Forest, but if it's any consolation, at least your campus is about to become home to the "world's largest" 802.11n wireless network. Last we heard, The Ohio State University held the crown for Earth's biggest WLAN with 1,700 access points lit, but according to Cisco, Duke's campus will soon house 2,500 Aironet 1250 Series APs. The installation will leave more than six million square feet of central North Carolina blanketed in WiFi, and will supposedly be the "largest planned 802.11n wireless network in the world by any organization to date." Watch out, Dukies -- we hear those folks in Chapel Hill have a thing for swiping unsecured signals.
Strange Xbox 360 signal might affect wireless LANs
Further proving that all electronic devices are becoming self-aware and plotting the destruction of the human race, the IT staff at Morrisville State College recently found that a signal generated by the Xbox 360's radio receiver (the component that searches for wireless controllers) may interfere with other radio devices transmitting on the same 2.4GHz band. Some Bluetooth devices, like the IT staff's headsets, were negatively affected when around the signal, which constantly transmits as long as the system is plugged in to a power source.The college's IT staff hypothesizes that many wireless LANs experience some interference when subjected to the 360's signal, though it may not be noticeable. We know the truth -- this potentially harmless signal is just the 360's way of communicating with our toaster and microwave, telling them to stab us in our sleep.[Via EvilAvatar]
Netgear gets 802.11n draft 2.0 certified with RangeMax NEXT routers
Surely bitter after being one-upped by D-Link by a matter of hours (strictly in terms of time to press, of course), Netgear is still tooting its own horn over being the second to receive the Wi-Fi Alliance's 802.11n draft 2.0 certification. The firm's first two devices to include the newfangled seal are the RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N Router Gigabit Edition (WNR854T) and the RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N Router (WNR834B; seen after the break), both of which are fully backwards compatible with the slower flavors of 802.11. Thankfully, citizens who currently own a RangeMax NEXT 802.11n Draft 1.0 product can upgrade their device free of charge via a firmware download, and Netgear even proclaims that the rest of its Wireless-N products are "being tested" and should be up to snuff soon.
Buffalo unveils draft-N WZR-AMPG300NH router, PC Card
Going over two months without releasing yet another router is quite a feat for Buffalo, but the firm is yet again giving the wireless crowd something to cheer about with its WZR-AMPG300NH. Part of the ever-growing AirStation NFINITI lineup, this draft-N device purportedly plays nice with 802.11a/b/g as well, boasts throughput of around 153Mbps, and includes MIMO technology to make full use of the trio of antennas. You'll also find the typical WPA2 certification, and if you need a WiFi adapter in order to make use of it, the WLI-CB-AMG300N PCMCIA network card fits the bill perfectly. Look for both devices to land in Japan next month (well, we hope) for ¥40,200 ($328), or pick up the router by its lonesome for ¥31,700 ($258).[Via AkihabaraNews]
