Wireless USB hub promises new functionality

We suspect this new US$200 goodie from Belkin will rocket straight to the top of a lot of people's holiday wish lists. As the First UWB Product to hit the U.S. Market, the Belkin Cable-Free USB Hub enables instant wireless connectivity of USB devices and will be available for purchase in the U.S. in mid-December with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow at an indefinite date, pending respective country’s regulatory approvals. The US$200 Belkin Cable-Free USB Hub is the industry's first USB Hub that does not require a cable to connect to the computer. Utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology with the Wisair chipset, this hub will give desktop-computer users the freedom to place their USB devices anywhere in the room without running long cables and laptop users the ability to roam wirelessly with their laptops around the room while still maintaining access to their stationary USB devices so you can print, play music, scan, download photos, and burn CDs from anywhere in the room.

The new hub:

* Connects USB printers, cameras, scanners, and other devices to your computer wirelessly, from up to 30 ft. away

* Transfers data at speeds of up to 480Mbps for USB 2.0 devices

* Includes a 4-port Hub, a USB Dongle (that connects into your computer), and a Dongle stand to give you optimum wireless reception