WifiRouters
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D-Link expands Cloud lineup with two new routers and NAS drive
D-Link is expanding its Cloud lineup today, announcing two new routers and a two-bay NAS device. The Cloud Gigabit Router N300 is capable of up to 300 Mbps, while the Cloud Gigabit Router N600 hits 600 Mbps. Both products include a USB port for sharing content over a network, along with DLNA support and Gigabit Ethernet ports. The routers will also feature the company's mydlink Cloud Services functionality, which lets users keep tabs on their networks via an app for Android and iOS. D-Link also introduced the new ShareCenter 2-bay Cloud NAS, which supports up to 3TB hard drives and handles RAID 1, RAID 0, Standard and JBOD configurations. Like the two routers, the 2-bay Cloud NAS offers DLNA support and works with the mydlink mobile app for monitoring your network remotely. According to SlashGear, the N300 will go for £64.99 (about $100), while the N600 will cost you £84.99 (about $131). The NAS should set you back about £89.99 ($139), and all three devices will be available for pre-order on July 16th.
Cisco rolls its first Linksys 802.11ac WiFi router and bridge, kicks off Connect Cloud app platform (video)
Cisco won't be the fastest out of the gate with an 802.11ac WiFi router, but it's certainly one of the most ambitious. The dual-band Linksys EA6500 and a companion, single-band Universal Media Connector network bridge hike the bandwidth up to 802.11ac's 1.3Gbps peak, each of them carrying their own quartet of gigabit Ethernet jacks. A pair of USB ports on the EA6500 should make sharing storage that much faster as well. If you ask Cisco, however, the real highlight is the new Cisco Connect Cloud app platform. Not unlike Novatel's MiFi apps, the software helps either manage the router itself (think parental controls) or tap into other devices around the home, including AirPlay sharing and remote camera monitoring. There's even a new SimpleTap hardware integration platform that will pair third-party WiFi gear like Onkyo receivers to a router through Android and iOS smartphone apps. Eventually, that should include a gentle NFC-based nudge. A Linksys Developer Community is starting now with six app developers already lined up, and support is due for any access point Cisco deems worthy of the Smart Wi-Fi Router name. That said, you'll have to wait awhile if you want the 802.11ac tag attached to that router at the same time. The currently-without-a-price EA6500 doesn't hit shops until early August; you'll have to wait until September for the equally priceless Universal Media Connector. %Gallery-159086%
Netgear's N900 dual-band router hits 900Mbps top speed, pats itself on the back
Stopping just short of bundling its announcement with an "Eye of the Tiger" MP3, Netgear's rolling out the hyperbole carpet for its now available N900. Heralding it as "the most advanced wireless home router," the sleekly-designed $180 box packs six antennas for an extended WiFi range, and is capable of speeds up to 900Mbps -- that's with both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands delivering data at a full 450Mbps. Sure, TRENDnet's already called First! with its own 450Mbps concurrent dual-band device, but the real focus here is on the added extras. In addition to the two USB ports -- capable of 30% faster transfer rates -- Netgear's thrown in a suite of goodies, like its Genie network monitoring application, Live Parental Controls, printer sharing, video stream optimization, DLNA, gigabit wired ethernet, guest access, WPA and WPA2 security protocols, usage meter and, lastly, a shutoff timer. Clearly, this isn't your ordinary wireless router, and that's exactly the company's point. Click on past the break for the official presser.
