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NEC's Aterm WM3300R is like a souped-up WiMAX version of the MiFi
Not every company has the design chops to make it in modern consumer electronics. Case in point: NEC's Aterm WM3300R. While it looks like a thermostat you'd wall-mount at the local health center, it packs enough technological appeal to make up for that clinical dowdiness. See, it's a pocketable WiMAX router with integrated 802.11b/g WiFi -- think MiFi only with the relatively blazing speeds of 40Mbps (downstream) / 10Mbps (upstream) WiMAX instead of EV-DO or HSPA and a battery capable of about 2.5 hours of shared usage. The WM3300R can also be USB-attached to a PC as a WiMAX modem. Drop another ¥5,000 (about $54) and you've got a spare battery to keep the mobile action going. Expect it to be released in early November in Japan for an estimated ¥25,000 or right around $272. You seeing this Sprint, Clearwire? [Via Akihabara News]
NEC intros Aterm CA2100P WiFi router and power line adapter
Just weeks after teasing us with succulent 802.11n gear, NEC is hitting back with an interesting WiFi / power line adapter combo dubbed the AtermCA2100P set. The AtermCR2500P WLAN router sports four Ethernet ports, the usual host of IP and security features, and purportedly works in conjunction with the AtermCA2100P HD-PLC wall adapter (shown after the jump) to provide a wireless extension anywhere you can find a nearby AC outlet. Additionally, NEC claims that throughput of 190Mbps is doable, but judging by the ho hum reaction to the power line alternatives that have come before it, we wouldn't be so sure. Still, the two devices can be purchased together for a price of ¥25,000 ($206), or you can pick up the router (¥20,000; $165) and HD-PLC adapter (¥13,000; $107) separately if you so desire.[Via AkihabaraNews]
NEC's goes 802.11n Draft 2.0 with Aterm WR8400N router / PCMCIA card
Last fall, NEC took its WARPSTAR lineup into the realm of draft-N with the Aterm WR8200N, and thanks to all this Draft 2.0 hubbub that's going around, apparently it figured now would be a good time to hop on the next bandwagon. The Aterm WR8400N four-port router and Aterm WL300NC PCMCIA card both tout theoretical transfer rates of around 300Mbps, are backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g devices, support "Multi SSID" / WEP / WAP protocols, and can automatically detect and connect to signals in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. No word just yet on price nor availability, but we're sure it'll get lost in the crowd of similar alternatives before too long anyway.[Via Impress]
NEC intros draft-spec 802.11n WARPSTAR router / PCMCIA card
If you're growing tired of one delay after another (and another), and just can't wait to get in on that uber-quick 802.11n goodness, NEC has unveiled a few pieces of draft-spec kit that should hold you over until the IEEE finally agrees on a winner. Its Aterm WR8200N router is based on the latest (albeit not yet finalized) next-gen wireless protocol, and claims to not interfere with 802.11b/g networks while offering theoretical speeds of "up to 130Mbps." Aside from sporting backwards compatibility with the slower WiFi standards, a trio of antennas are available for "maximum range," while four Ethernet ports are onboard for those who prefer to stay wired. The company is also offering up an 802.11n-compatible PCMCIA card (WL130NC) for those folks not lucky enough to discover an undercover edition already integrated in their machine. While NEC seems to be playing the ever-elusive "open price" card, both of these units should be available in early November.[Via Akihabara News]
