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Phoebus 3G router converts PCMCIA data card into WiFi
Yeah, this trick most certainly has a thin layer of dust on it, but there's just something special about a portable pyramid that turns your average PCMCIA data card into WiFi. The 3G Phoebus MB6000 purportedly plays nice with "most cellular PCMCIA cards on the market today" sans drivers or complicated software installations, which enables plug 'n play access to your data network regardless of current location. Aside from turning your card into a wireless access point for multiple users to connect to, it also enables wired Ethernet connections and a security suite that will only allow authenticated users to view the network. Such a fine convenience, however, was bound to come at a rather steep price, so you should probably make sure you'll be spending an awful lot of time surfing on the go before shelling out $299.95.[Via ChipChick]
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]
Amigo's R622AG WiFi router mirrors Xbox 360 design
We're fairly sure Amigo Technology's R622AG WiFi router meant no harm when it came out of the laboratory looking exactly like Microsoft's latest console, but we'll be surprised if no legal teams are contacted over this one. The four-port router supports 802.11a/b/g, includes a pair of USB 2.0 connectors for sharing external data or printers over the network (shown after the jump), and should look like a long lost twin situated beside your Xbox 360. No word yet on price nor availability, but this thing definitely outdoes the other 360 copycat we saw just days ago in terms of closest resemblance.
Lenovo's ThinkPad X61, X61s and X61 tablet PC get official
Hearing about Lenovo's ThinkPad X61 shouldn't come as a total surprise to anyone, but while leaked information always satisfies the pallet, official details on a few new machines in the X-series shouldn't hurt. The X61 tablet will sport your choice of a 1.4GHz L7300 or 1.6GHz L7500 Core 2 Duo CPU, a 12.1-inch XGA or SXGA+ display, up to 160GB of hard drive space, up to 4GB of RAM, an optional dual-layer DVD writer (UltraBase required), Intel's GMA X3100 graphics set, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, WWAN, a trio of USB 2.0 ports, up to eight-hours of claimed battery life from the eight-cell Li-ion, optional fingerprint scanner, an SD reader, and a PC Card slot with 34-millimeter ExpressCard adapter. The 12.1-inch X61s touts most of the same hardware as its tablet-based sibling albeit in a laptop form, while the X61 goes up to 2GHz with Intel's T7300. All of the aforementioned units should be ready to ship next month, and the ThinkPad X61, X61s, and X61 tablet PC will purportedly start at approximately $1,484, $1,474, and $1,779, respectively. More shots of Lenovo's latest after the break.
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]
Atheros offers up 802.11n Draft 2.0-spec XSPAN solutions
You'll probably recall Atheros' name from the rundown of Draft 2.0 802.11n gear mentioned just a week ago, but now the firm is getting official with its bundle of refreshed pre-N gear. The new AR9001 family of chipset solutions builds upon the existing XSPAN offerings, and is reportedly compliant with the latest IEEE draft of 802.11n. Primarily aiming for SMB and Enterprise markets, the outfit is doling out a number of AR9001AP access points / router SoCs that "integrate its 802.11n MAC / baseband and 400MHz Wireless Network Processor (WNPU) into a single chip." On the consumer front, the AR9001U sect presents the "world's first dual-band capable 802.11n USB chipset," and also includes the company's first 1x2 MIMO configuration. Unsurprisingly, pricing details on all these goodies are still up in the air, but Atheros claims that second-generation AR9001 items are currently sampling to customers and should hit " full volume production" in Q3 of this year.[Via PCWorld]
Netgear intros business-class networking solutions, partners with Avaya for VoIP
Fresh off its acquisition of Infrant Technologies, Netgear is unloading a bevy of new RAID NAS products, a host of small to mid-size business networking gear, and a newfound partnership with Avaya to provide VoIP to SMB customers. On the storage front, the four-bay ReadyNAS NV+ (desktop) and ReadyNAS 1100 (rackmount) devices support RAID 0/1/5 and X-RAID, automated backups and alerting, gigabit Ethernet, UPnP AV multimedia access, a number of USB ports, and room for up to four SATA drives. As for networking gear, the company is busting out its new WFS709TP ProSafe Smart Wireless Switch, WGL102 ProSafe 802.11g Light WAP, WAGL102 ProSafe Dual Band Light WAP, eight-port GS108T Gigabit Ethernet Smart Switch, 24-port GS724TP Smart PoE Switch, and a monstrous 48-port GS748TP Smart PoE Switch to finish things off. As if that wasn't enough to digest, Netgear is also partnering up with Avaya to provide "an IP telephony solution for small businesses with 20 users or less." The newfangled lineups will be available at varying times and prices, so be sure to visit the read link for specifics on each individual model.[Via SmallNetBuilder]
Psion Teklogix's WORKABOUT PRO gets rugged with WinMo
We've seen handheld workhorses before, but Psion Teklogix is taking Windows Mobile 6 to the tough side in its new line of WORKABOUT devices. Offering users the choice of Windows CE 5.0 or WinMo 6 Classic / Professional, the WORKABOUT PRO C sports a full alphanumeric keypad, while the PRO S trims down by nixing the alphabet. Both units are powered by a 520MHz PXA270 CPU, and boast 128MB of Flash ROM, 128MB of SDRAM, optional 802.11b/g via a CF adapter, GSM / GPRS / EDGE WWAN connectivity, Bluetooth, a 3.6-inch VGA touchscreen, built-in speaker / microphone, and the obligatory dust, rain, and shock proof qualities that you'd expect on such a rugged machine. Additionally, a bevy of scanning expansion modules are included, and while pricing details aren't readily available, anyone that's likely to be interested in this one can just charge it to the corporate card and fuhgetaboutit.[Via PocketPCThoughts]
Planex MZ-04G router sports USB, BitTorrent compatibility
External P2P clients with a hint of NAS aren't unheard of, but it's still refreshing to see a new face joining the relatively small clan. Planex's MZ-04 takes a four-port gigabit Ethernet router, throws in wireless functionality, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and gives the BitTorrent savvy the ability to hook up an external HDD and keep those downloads / uploads rolling through the night even when the PC catches some shut eye. Additionally, the firm suggests that customers could take advantage of the iTunes server function to stream music via Ethernet / WiFi, and the obvious NAS characteristics and PlayStation 3-compatibility are nice touches as well. Unfortunately, we've no idea how soon (or not) this feature-packed router will hit store shelves, but here's to hoping it makes the journey to American soil.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Classy wooden router literally gauges network utilization
Although Sprint didn't mind showing off its snazzy new router earlier today, a crafty DIY'er has concocted a classic of his own to balance things out. Admittedly, homegrown routers aren't exactly common, but this step back in time really puts the modern day approach to shame, as its wooden construction, curvaceous shape, and tasteful use of analog equipment would tempt even the neatest of neat freaks to keep this one outside of the networking closet. Granted, this certainly isn't the most simplistic of projects we've come across, and it will require quite a bit of handiwork beyond the usual steady hand, but if you're feeling courageous and want a dash of class to counter the rat's nest of cabling behind your rig, click on through to the read link for all the minutiae.[Via Slashgear]
Sprint shows off Cisco ENZO EV-DO router at CTIA
While it's certainly not the first of kind, Sprint is busting out a rare American solution to the 3G router thirst as it showcases the Cisco ENZO at this year's CTIA. The EV-DO router is based around a Cisco 3G WWAN interface card and an "integrated service router (ISR)," and unfortunately, that's about all the details that are currently available. Apparently, Sprint will be aiming this at companies who could use "primary or backup access for business-critical applications," and while we can't give you any concrete dates to mark on your calender just yet, the router is currently in the testing stage and should be ready for commercialization "sometime this summer."
Buffalo's USB WiFi adapter boosts range 210%
If your built-in WiFi antenna is less than phenomenal, or you're just looking to jack some WiFi from another country to avoid severe punishment, Buffalo's AirStation WLI-U2-SG54HP might be the answer. This USB 2.0 stick adapter operates like any vanilla 802.11b/g wireless LAN adornment, but ups the ante by suctioning to the rear of your display and reportedly boosting your reception capability by 210-percent. Granted, we're not sure where the firm is deriving this lofty figure, but it's probably safe to assume that strapping a relatively large antenna on the back of your lappie will persuade a few more far away signals to come your way than your factory-installed alternative. So if you're looking for a way to extend that range (legally), or just enjoy having a tethered weapon at your disposal at all times, Buffalo's WLI-U2-SG54HP can be snapped up next month for ¥3,700 ($31)[Via OhGizmo]
Xmas decorations said to degrade wireless signals: baby Jesus hates WiFi
Far from being the harmless displays of holiday cheer and good will towards men that their manufacturers would like us to believe, Christmas decorations are now being accused of hitting us where it hurts the most: our WiFi connections. According to a study done in a simulated office environment by Sunnyvale-based wireless network assurance firm AirMagnet Inc., all of those shiny ornaments, blinking lights, and inflatable monstrosities that people like to keep out for the entire Halloween through Easter time frame can actually decrease WiFi signal strength by up to 25% and increase signal deterioration over distances by one-third. It should be noted, however, that many other common objects can also interfere with wireless signals, so this study seems to be more about PR and less about a grand atheist conspiracy to cripple internet connectivity for the pious. It should also be noted that AirMagnet makes its money from selling products and services that analyze and troubleshoot your WLAN, which -- surprise, surprise -- are exactly what you'd need to combat this curse of the holiday decorations. Still, even if this study is completely self-serving, we're not taking any chances: from now on, the only holiday-related swag to grace the Engadget mansion will be a ratty, unadorned tree and a small menorah made out of marshmallows and peanut butter. [Via textually]
Kyocera develops ultrathin FWMG0-03 mobile WiFi module
We've got all sorts of incredibly tiny chips serving very unique purposes, but Kyocera has developed a 10- x 8-millimeter wireless LAN wafer that should feel right at home in those oh-so-cramped innards of certain diminutive mobiles. The FWMG0-03 module comes in at just 1.25-millimeters thick, and provides full support for 802.11b/g protocols; aside from mounting all of the circuity on a single side of the board, compactness has been aided by the low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) used, "resulting in an enhanced bending strength of 400 MPa which is approximately double that of the general LTCC." The chip draws just 0.85 milliwatts while in standby, 550 milliwatts when transmitting data, and 291 (802.11b) / 345 (802.11g) milliwatts when receiving. While we aren't sure which cellphone manufactures are vying for batches of these minuscule modules, we do know that a trio of operating voltages will be available when these start "volume production within 2006," and SDIO / SPI will be the supported interfaces.
Aruba Networks to install "world's largest" WLAN at OSU
We all know how sketchy these "world's largest" claims can be, but Aruba Networks is dubbing its ongoing deployment of WiFi coverage across the gargantuous campus of The Ohio State University just that. While numerous cities (and even the entire country of Singapore) are moving forward with far-reaching wireless access plans, Aruba's "Mobile Edge solution" will reportedly be the most expansive WLAN by the time it's complete. Although the installation is only partially finished, 1,700 access points in over 28 buildings have already been lit, and Ohio State's IT department has plans to cover all 25 million square feet of the main campus with WiFi. Once complete, over 77,000 students and staff will have "ubiquitous wireless access to the university's networks" thanks to the "nearly 10,000" APs that will beam 802.11a/b/g all across OSU. Although the entire rollout won't be finalized until 2011, the 31 Buckeye residence halls will supposedly get blanketed within the next month, but we aren't sure if the 101,568 fans in The 'Shoe can expect unadulterated WiFi access to collegiate message boards or Facebook when Michigan comes to town later this year.
802.11n getting prelim certification in March 2007
Starting in March 2007 the Wi-Fi Alliance will start certifying next-gen WiFi products, which puts us at ease a little bit. As CNET reports, the ultimate goal is, of course, to make sure that all the prelim 802.11n stuff out there plays nice with each other, which currently can mess up existing legit WiFi networks. For those of you who haven't been keeping score at home, 802.11n has been fraught with total confusion since the beginning. Back in May 2006, the IEEE rejected the first 802.11n draft by a wide margin, failing to garner a simple majority, let alone the required 75 percent supermajority. Later that month, Glenn Fleishman at Wi-Fi Net News told us that Task Group N received around 12,000 comments on the proposed draft -- compared to the 2,000-some that most drafts generate -- which is another very bad sign. Unfortunately though, it still looks like the real deal officially official final ratification won't be done until 2008. The short version? Just to be safe, stick with your current WiFi setup until there's a new man in the White House, ok? [Via Wi-Fi Net News]
Dell offering draft-802.11n card for notebooks
Like many consumers, Dell is getting a little sick of waiting around for the IEEE's Task Group N to pull it together and roll out a final version of the next-gen WiFi standard, so the company has decided to start offering its own draft-802.11n card in all XPS and select Inspiron laptops. As you're probably already aware, 802.11n will be a wireless networking protocol that uses MIMO technology to offer greater range and speed than traditional 802.11a/b/g networks, but has been famously bogged down by delays and questions of interoperability. Dell's implementation comes in the form of its redundantly-named Wireless 1500 Draft 802.11n dual-band wireless card, which utilizes Broadcom's Intensi-fi flavor of draft-N -- available in such products as Netgear's RangeMax Next lineup -- to provide those desirable performance boosts. Usually we'd recommend that you wait to take the plunge until the dust settles and a final standard is announced, but since that may not happen in our lifetimes and Dell's backwards-compatible card is only $59 (or less, plus the cost of a router), it doesn't sound too risky to give this option a try.[Via Notebook Review]
D-Link releases RangeBooster line of draft-N gear
Probably feeling left out now that all its competitors have released gear conforming to the troubled draft-802.11n WiFi standard, D-Link has finally entered the game with a pair of routers that promise increased range and throughput over traditional 802.11/a/b/g equipment while maintaining compatibility with previously deployed products. So far the reviews we've read about similar routers from Linksys, Buffalo, and Netgear have not been all that positive, so we're not expecting too much from the 3-antenna RangeBooster N 650 and 2-antenna Rangebooster N, although the fact that you can pick up the latter for under a hundred bucks may convince you to give it a try. Still, you're probably not gonna get anywhere near the bandwidth that D-Link promises, and with the controversy over 802.11n still raging on, you're probably better off with a MIMO-equipped 802.11g model instead.Read- RangeBooster N 650Read- RangeBooster N[Via PCMag]
TRENDnet announces upcoming pre-n gear
All of the controversy, delays, and performance concerns surrounding the IEEE's notorious pre-802.11n wireless networking spec haven't deterred TRENDnet from being the latest to announce a new family of products based on the non-final version of the MIMO-powered, next-gen WiFi standard. As you'll recall, there's been no small amount of concern that pre-n gear won't play nicely with legacy 802.11a/b/g equipment, which is why TRENDnet goes it out of its way to stress the "good neighbor behavior" exhibited by its WPA and SPI-protected TEW-631BRP router and TEW-621PC PC card -- both of which use Atheros' XSPAN technology to supposedly ensure interoperability in mixed-network environments. TRENDnet promises real-world speeds of between 150Mbps and 180Mbps , which in theory should be enough to stream around a little HD content and download some torrents while you're chatting on your wireless VoIP handset about that great post you're reading on Engadget. Both new products, along with a $150 access point and a $100 PCI adapter, are scheduled to ship on July 25th, with the router priced at $130 and the card going for an even $100.
Iceman Outdoor PC delivers poolside entertainment
Just like a fellow we once knew who also went by the name of Iceman, Visson's new fan-less, all-weather outdoor PC may be a little off-putting at first (due to its 1.5GHz Via processor and support for just 1GB of RAM, though, not because it seems "dangerous"), but wins you over in the end by getting the job done even in the harshest conditions. While you'd certainly never consider Iceman for your most important computing tasks (read: gaming), the optional digital TV receiver and wireless LAN, along with MPEG-2 decoding, ensure that you can stay entertained even while lounging around the pool -- it would go great with the ginormous inflatable SuperScreen Outdoor Theater System we saw last year. And now, the obligatory Top Gun reference for wrapping up this post: Iceman, you can be our wingman anytime.
