Routers

With wireless home networks becoming increasingly crowded as more and more mobile devices appear under our roofs jostling for bandwidth, many will be pleased to see the upcoming 802.11ac WiFi standard stepping out from the planning meetings and laboratories and into the real world. Both Netgear and Belkin have announced plans to release dual-band routers supporting the new 5G WiFi standard that will boast speeds of up to 1,300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 450 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.  Read More

WiFi and USB have both become inexpensive and ubiquitous connectivity solutions, so the idea of exploiting them both at the same time a single device makes sense. IOGEAR's latest take on the theme is its Wireless 4-Port USB Sharing Station, which allows up to four USB peripherals (external storage, camera, printer, etc.) to be shared over a WiFi network and in the process provides a recipe for an uncluttered desktop environment.  Read More

U.S. networking solutions company TRENDnet has launched one of the world’s smallest wireless N USB adapters. The new 150Mbps Micro Wireless N USB (model TEW-648UBM) is uber small, measuring in at 0.59 x 0.74 x 0.28 inches (1.5 x 1.9 x 0.7 cm). I know what you are thinking – how can I possibly not lose a USB adapter so small? Well, when it's plugged into the side of a computer, it only extends out by 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) so you can easily just leave it in there. For laptop users, you can travel with the USB attached to your computer, without the concern of damaging the device.  Read More

With its new line of Valet wireless routers, Cisco is promising to take away the strain of setting up and managing a home network. Getting the network ready to go is claimed to be as simple as placing an Easy Setup Key into a USB port and following three short steps offered by the Cisco Connect software.  Read More

The world is going app crazy and it's not restricted to the domain of mobile phones. Routers too, it seems, are not being left out. As well as embracing the 802.11n wireless protocol and simple three step setup, Belkin's latest router offerings also break into the world of applications with software that automatically detects and resolves network issues, a playlist music generator and an automated data backup program all leading the charge.  Read More

Seven years after starting to talk about it, and six years after introducing the first draft, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) has finally ratified the 802.11n wireless local area network (WLAN) amendment to the base standard. This effectively means that the super-fast routers we've been using in our home networks and for internet access for the past couple of years are now amongst those officially recognized by the IEEE.  Read More

The ability to be not just unwired, but entirely off the grid is getting far more manageable for the road warrior. Cradlepoint manufactures a range of portable 3G and 4G routers ideal for the mobile workforce, so that within minutes you can set up a secure WiFi network and share access from one cellular data modem with an entire team. Now Tekkeon has released a new compact battery that provides six to eight hours of runtime for CradlePoint portable 3G and 4G mobile broadband routers when no power outlet is available. By combining Tekkeon’s new USD$100 rechargeable lithium polymer MP2250 battery with any of several 3G/4G routers manufactured by CradlePoint, users can power a secure WiFi hotspot for hours – anywhere there’s cellular access.  Read More

FON, the world’s largest Wifi community, continue their ethos of give and take with the release of the La Fonera 2 router. The self-confessed “hippie-love-in” style products work as such – a user purchases the router and once connected to the internet, gives away a small part of their bandwidth via a second public facing connection. This network can be accessed for free by other FON owners. In return for this show of generosity the user can then access other FON hotspots anywhere in the world. This latest addition also boasts Bit Torrent and Network Storage capabilities.  Read More

Novatel has built an innovative product that combines a wireless access point, an internet router, and a 3G modem card into a package that's the size of a business card, half the thickness of your Blackberry and weights less than 80g. Today Noel McKeegan and I had a chance to sit down with Jon Driscoll, Novatel Wireless' VP of Global Product Managment, and talk about their upcoming line of MiFi Hotspots.  Read More