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Wireless
The ruggedized wireless Rapid Deployment Kits for response to Chemical, Weapons of Mass Destruction or Radiation incidents
By Mike Hanlon
October 19, 2006 This is the latest ruggedized, wireless, AreaRAE Rapid Deployment Kits for response to Chemical, Weapons of Mass Destruction or Radiation incidents. Made by RAE Systems, it’s one of a number of new rapidly deployable sensor networks that enable first responders to identify safety and security threats in real time. One of the first to order the new system was the United States National Guard which has already taken delivery of 55 custom configured AreaRAE RDKs to equip all 55 Civil Support Teams (CSTs) with portable toxic gas and radiation detection equipment. Key to the selection process was the ability for the CST deployed systems to interoperate, provide mutual aid, as well as interface to existing AreaRAE systems already in use by civilian first responders. The AreaRAE RDK is designed to be quickly configured and deployed in any response scenario and can integrate a wide range of detection equipment including RAE Systems’ portable monitors and third-party devices, all operating wirelessly and instantly providing data for incident commanders through a single real-time interface. Read More
The SportCommand wireless fabric remote control for an iPod
By Mike Hanlon
October 10, 2006 The Belkin SportCommand for iPod lets you wirelessly control your music while your iPod stays protected. Strap the fabric remote to your arm, store your iPod in your backpack or jacket, and then listen to your audio while you get extreme. The weather-resistant SportCommand is ideal for outdoor activities, such as snowboarding, mountain biking, and hiking and with a 50 foot range, it may well have other applications we haven’t yet considered. The US$80 SportCommand will ship in November in North America, with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow shortly. Read More
Wireless, wired, VOIP, Power over Ethernet, all in one box
By Mike Hanlon
October 6, 2006 Wait, before your eyes glaze over because it looks like just another box destined for the IT department, it’s significant and a signpost to the future as it combines all of the components necessary for wireless and wired Data Access and VoIP networking, all in one box. 3Com announced the unified switch for small and medium businesses (SMBs) earlier this week and apart from converging wired and wireless networking functionality it also includes Power over Ethernet (PoE) to support Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony. The 3Com Unified Gigabit Wireless PoE Switch 24 is easy to deploy and manage solution and it’s cost-effective and designed for SMBs that want all of the elements of a business-class network, as well as a platform for delivering advanced communications solutions such as wireless and VoIP, in one box. No really, it is significant!! Read More
Close-proximity wireless technology set to improve the management of diabetes
By Mike Hanlon
August 24, 2006 Cambridge Consultants today revealed an innovative medical device concept for managing diabetes that uses NFC, the close-proximity wireless communications standard, to integrate glucometers and insulin pumps. The prototype device, developed in conjunction with Philips, demonstrates how NFC can be exploited to simplify treatment for millions of diabetics worldwide, and could be the first of a new generation of medical devices that use close-proximity wireless communications. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diabetes is officially classified as a worldwide epidemic with the number of people with the disease to double to 366m by 2030. To tackle this growing global problem, the Cambridge Consultants concept device uses the unique characteristics of NFC to streamline treatment, by wirelessly linking a glucometer with an insulin pump. The glucometer records the blood sugar reading and then recommends a bolus dose of insulin. If the patient accepts the dose, then they simply swipe the glucometer against the insulin pump, which could be located beneath clothing, and the drug is delivered. This confirmation feature, which Cambridge Consultants dubs 'patient-in-the-loop dosing', enhances confidence and security, and allows the user to modify dosage calculations for lifestyle reasons. Read More
The Wireless PHONEJack – now any telecom device can go wireless
By Mike Hanlon
August 14, 2006 We’re predicting that Danish company RTX’s new wireless phone jack is going to be a huge best seller. The Wireless PHONEJack provides a simple, cost effective method for getting a phone line to where it is needed. The Wireless PHONEJack has two main applications, firstly in providing a phone line extension where there is no phone socket and secondly in enabling remote phones to connect to VoIP ATAs. Once connected the Wireless PHONEJack creates a 50 meters radius wireless phone network using DECT radio technology. This allows a user to connect an analogue phone device such as a phone, answering machines, fax or conference phone wirelessly to a PSTN line or VoIP ATA. The Wireless PHONEJack can wirelessly connect up to 4 separate phones within a 50 meter radius of the ATA, making VoIP calls a reality not just from near the ATA but elsewhere in the home or office. Likewise a user can connect up to 4 phone devices to a PSTN phone line without the need to run cables to places where they want the phones without the need to run expensive and messy cables. And installation is easy - it takes less than one minute to plug the Wireless PHONEJack into a power point near an existing phone line and set up it up to route phone calls. The Wireless Phone Jack is available from in Europe (EUR65), Australia (AUD$100) and the United States (US$90) immediately. Read More
Koss Cobalt wireless headphones
By Mike Hanlon
August 11, 2006 High fidelity stereophone manufacturer Koss has announced a wireless Bluetooth stereophone it will call the Cobalt and we fancy these will be very worthwhile additions to the personal entertainment kit. Built to last, the US$180 Cobalt has a “No Questions Asked” Lifetime Warranty. The Cobalt uses advanced Bluetooth frequency-hopping technology to provide a 30-foot range, so you can move freely while taking a call, or listening to your favorite music or movies. If you’re working on your PC, the Cobalt is also sold with a USB dongle transmitter that plugs into your computer for streaming and VOIPing. Read More
Logitech Wireless DJ Music System - US$250 plus $80 a room
By Mike Hanlon
August 9, 2006 In keeping with its history of introducing cutting edge computer peripherals (such as the first cordless mouse, trackball etcetera), Swiss-based Logitech has unveiled a wireless DJ Music System, which makes it easy to stream digital music from a PC to any stereo system or powered speakers and control it all from the long-range Wireless DJ remote. The system plays any PC audio format, including MP3, iTunes (AAC), WMA, Internet radio and podcasts and the Wireless DJ remote with its display and scroll wheel, makes it easy to navigate an entire music collection from anywhere in the home. According to a recent worldwide survey, 40 percent of online households play music on their PC and 33 percent listen to Internet radio streams. However, less than 10 percent of these people are playing this music through their stereo. Existing solutions that bridge this divide are complex to set up, support only a limited number of music formats, or are priced out of reach for most consumers. That’s about to change as the Logitech Wireless DJ Music System will be available next month for US$250 with additional Wireless Music System Add-On Receivers going for US$80 each (one per room to a total of four). Read More
Grain-Sized wireless memory chip promises links between digital and physical worlds
By Mike Hanlon
July 18, 2006 The concept of information ubiquity and a digital presence for all manmade objects moved a little closer to reality today when HP announced that its researchers have developed a miniature (that's it pictured in the centre of the pencils) wireless data chip that could provide broad access to digital content in the physical world. With no equal in terms of its combination of size, memory capacity and data access speed, the tiny chip could be stuck on or embedded in almost any object and make available up to 100 pages of text information or an audio file. Some of the potential applications include storing medical records on a hospital patient's wristband; providing audio-visual supplements to postcards and photos; helping fight counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical industry; adding security to identity cards and passports; and supplying additional information for printed documents such as workshop manuals that read themselves aloud via your other digital equipment, magazines with more embedded digital information on each story. Read More
Microsoft's backlit, rechargeable, wireless keyboard
By Mike Hanlon
June 30, 2006 Now let’s get one thing straight – we hate the QWERTY keyboard. It is 150 year old technology masquerading as high-tech and strangling the productivity of the world’s computer users. But until a viable alternative to the predominant computer input device comes along that has enough momentum to survive, we’re prepared to acknowledge the ongoing incremental improvement of this ghastly device. Microsoft is the world’s largest producer of keyboards and has offered some significant enhancements along the way, most notably the tilt wheel and the Magnifier and is set to release a wireless keyboard that is both rechargeable and backlit. It's even pretty smart for a keyboard as the ambient backlighting turns on when a room is dimly lit, and proximity sensing turns it on when the user's hand approaches. Read More
New wireless Pan/Tilt/Zoom IP Camera enables remote-control video through a web browser for US$300
By Mike Hanlon
June 19, 2006 Cisco subsidiary Linksys has announced a wireless Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) internet camera that can send live video and audio via the Internet to a web browser anywhere in the world. The WVC200 contains its own IP address, so it doesn’t require an attached PC and easily connects to an existing Ethernet or Wireless network. Up to ten simultaneous users can have remote control of the camera's Pan/Tilt and 2X digital zoom and focus and it comes with the software to enable up to nine cameras to be monitored. The camera can be set up to record to a schedule or if it detects any movement or manually, and it can record to a networked hard drive and there’s even advanced search by time and date and playback on Windows Media Player. You can even set it to email alerts to up to four email addresses with attached video clips if the camera detects any motion. Now none of those capabilities are new, but when they are all bundled for US$299, we’re obviously reaching the point where a whole host of applications that were previously unthinkably cost-prohibitive are now viable. Read More
Wireless Digital Signage Media Player based on IPTV technology
By Mike Hanlon
May 11, 2006 With very large flat panel display systems getting cheaper by the day, the capabilities, cost-effectiveness and downright firepower of digital signage is beginning to make a lot of sense as this marketplace unfolds. Yesterday Hong Kong-based 1-2-1VIEW Corporation announced a new Linux-based wireless media player with some very useful features. The M210 relays content and display management information wirelessly and plays back video content stored in its built-in hard disk. It enables location owners and operators to deploy a full digital signage system to pinpoint audiences with targeted content such as advertising and promotions, without the hassles of wiring or laying cables – ideal for shopping centres, temporary show installations, or reconfigurable systems for department stores. Based on open standards and flexible IPTV technology, the M210 is built on a consumer electronics platform as opposed to commonly used PC technology, offering a very competitive price/performance ratio compared to other media players. Read More
Flying Billboard with wireless interactive marketing system
By Mike Hanlon
May 3, 2006 As the world of advertising continues to embrace new technologies, we will see some wonderous and compelling new ways to meet people who are selling what we need when we need it. Last week at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas American Blimp Corporation’s Lightship/Lightsign subsidiary unveiled a new advertising platform of sheer genius. We’ve seen a few media concepts of great foresight of recent times, but this promises the hamburger with the lot to advertisers. The A-170 Video Lightsign airship marks a new era of outdoor advertising, one that has been long heralded by scifi writers – flying electronic billboards. It has a high quality colour LED screen measuring 30' X 70' that can be used to broadcast live TV, Internet sites, stock tickers, slide shows or any other media. Indeed, the Lightsign has been designed with such an array of technologies in mind, that it’s really more an integrated marketing medium than an outdoor medium utilizing GPS tracking (changing the message to suit the audience below and the time of day), two-way communication with customers, text messaging and phone tie-ins. Modern materials and technologies now offer what was previously an almost cost prohibitive promotional platform into a very cost-effective, completely portable arsenal of sticky and very effective marketing technologies to target a mass audience or select demographic or any captive audience! Mark our words – this is big! Read More
Wireless control for LED lighting systems
By Mike Hanlon
April 21, 2006 A devilishly clever combination of wireless and intelligent LED technologies will make life easier for photographers. Zylight’s ZyLink technology allows lighting professionals to wirelessly link together multiple Z50's to create large, soft sources of calibrated tungsten light, daylight, or any color of the rainbow. The Z50 produces a soft, wide output with no hotspots - when linked together the lights act in concert as if they were one unified LED source, with adjustments made on one light changing all lights in the group. Used individually or in an array, the system will offer any output you need (Tungsten, daylight, colour), as large as you need it. Read More
Bluetooth Wireless speakers can redefine the living space
By Mike Hanlon
April 9, 2006 First we got wired, and now we’re getting unwired. Bluetooth took a long time to build momentum, but is now beginning to fulfil its promise with Paris-based Bluetooth specialist Parrot creating an ingenious pair of 60W stereo wireless speakers. Based on the premise people are increasingly carrying their music collection with them, and Bluetooth functionality will become ubiquitous across all handheld devices, the speakers can transform your iPod, mobile phone or handheld into a full blown 2 x 60W stereo system. There’s also a flexibility of room configuration available with the speakers that just wasn’t there before too – frequent furniture rearrangers will love the concept. Read More
Panasonic to unveil new Toughbook ''Road Warrior'' Notebook at CTIA Wireless 2006
By Mike Hanlon
March 29, 2006 Panasonic will unveil the latest in its line of semi-rugged Toughbook notebook computers at CTIA WIRELESS 2006 next week in Las Vegas. The durable Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 uses Intel’s Core Duo Processor T2400 ina special form factor to create a reliable wireless computing solution with a magnesium alloy case, integrated handle, spill-resistant keyboard, daylight-readable screen and battery life of approximately seven hours – a computer designed to let work happen wherever it needs to. New security features, including an optional finger print scanner and a Trusted Platform Module security chip, help protect sensitive information. Read More
Comprehensive Wireless Sensor Networking Solution
By Mike Hanlon
March 22, 2006 The monitoring of every aspect of the manufacturing process is something that has traditionally been done by hand, but with the advent of reliable, flexible, wireless sensors solutions the opportunities exist to create very cost effective and comprehensive wireless sensor networks monitoring entire factories, warehouses and almost any industrial process. One that caught our eye at the National Manufacturing Week (NMW) Conference in Chicago this week was a system that integrates sensors, software, and mesh networking devices into a turnkey solution offering plant/building managers instant actionable measurements of key operational levels (temperature, power, voltage, steam, water, air, flow, and pressure). Read More
Extreme-Range Wireless Networking Products
By Mike Hanlon
March 22, 2006--EnGenius has announced what it terms the first "Extreme-Range" wireless networking products for service carriers, businesses, and consumers. With core technology in the high-power microwave (RF) signal, EnGenius specialides in high-output-power, long-range wireless networking products and claims its new "Extreme-Range" products provide up to 10 times the coverage of current wireless data equipment with some customers experiencing a wireless range over one kilometre. Read More
iLoad-c delivers music to the iPod Nano wirelessly
By Mike Hanlon
March 1, 2006 When it comes to "feeding" the iPod, the folks at Wingspan are the evangelists of the "shortest distance between two points" theory. Today Wingspan revealed a video demonstration of its iLoad-c, a US$200 gadget that utilizes the music stores proliferating on cell phone networks, to download music directly to the Apple iPod Nano, without using a computer. iLoad-c clamps onto a Nano and then connects to your cell carrier's music store to download the music directly to the Nano. The iLoad-c is the third device to be announced by start-up Wingspan in three months – Wingspan’s other announced devices include iLoad, a device that copies CDs to the iPod without using a computer and iLoad-v, a device that connects to a cable or satellite TV boxes and records video and music onto a Video iPod or USB storage device, without using a computer or Internet connection. Read More
Panasonic debuts new Toughbook Wireless Display
By Mike Hanlon
February 15, 2006 Increased adoption of wireless technologies by healthcare organizations requires a wide variety of device types, depending on the clinical or business application. Yet, according to Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney in a May, 2005 report ("Healthcare Device Category Selection Guide"), there "is a product void in the 1-kilogram weight range." This void, between traditional PDAs, which offer limited functionality, and standard clamshell or tablet PCs, which can be too heavy or cumbersome for regular bedside use, is to now be addressed by Panasonic’s Toughbook Wireless Display, which designed to offer an optimal combination of size, weight and functionality for point of care applications. Panasonic announced the new computing device specifically designed to support e-health initiatives, improve clinical care and enhance business performance at the 2006 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in San Diego yesterday. Read More
CTIA Wireless Fashion Show entries close March 10
By Mike Hanlon
Last year we called it the most visible technology showcase on the planet. This year, although in many respects, CTIA WIRELESS 2006 is already the most important technology event of the year, it will be even better! The CTIA WIRELESS show is the premiere global event representing the complete wireless, mobile computing and wireless Internet industries. CTIA WIRELESS 2006 brings together all industries within telecommunications and all those affected by wireless technology for three days of intense learning and networking. For the past six years, CTIA WIRELESS has conducted the Fashion in Motion show - the HOT technology fashion show that fuses the world of high fashion with the latest wireless technology. This couture style runway show showcases the latest wireless devices and accessories on the market today, as well as the futuristic technology of tomorrow. Now CTIA is taking it to the next level and by offering CTIA Fashion in Motion Scholarships to technology and fashion university and college students from across the globe. If you have an idea or concept or prototype for wearable technology, this is an opportunity to showcase your ideas to the world (entries close March 10). See our extensive photo galleries of the 2004 show and the 2005 show. CLICK HERE to download the CTIA Fashion in Motion Scholarship Program Entry Form. Read More
New wireless intercom eliminates need for base station
By Mike Hanlon
January 29, 2006 For sports coaches, event coordinators, theatre directors, security personnel, and others with a need for group and one-to-one wireless communication, Anchor Audio’s new PortaCom Pro could be just what’s required. It’s a 2.4 GHz professional wireless intercom system combining an automatic lock out feature to keep conversations to two speakers at a time for maximum understanding, with an “All Call” channel allowing any user to speak to everyone in a group. Allowing up to 15 simultaneous groups to operate on 15 user group channels and a separate “All Call” channel, the user-friendly PortaCom Pro can bring any size group together for priority calls. Each user group can contain an unlimited number of users within a range of approximately 250 metres. Unlike cumbersome wireless intercom systems requiring a central base station or active antennae, the PortaCom Pro requires just a lightweight headset and beltpack for each user. Read More
ElekTex Smart Fabric keyboard goes wireless
By Mike Hanlon
January 16, 2006 Let’s get one thing straight before we start – we hate the QWERTY keyboard. It was invented some time in the 1860s yet still exists today as the principal Computer Human Interface (CHI) and the main limitation we face every day in getting information into computers, as it was designed a century before humanity knew diddly about CHI design. It makes computers bigger than they need to be, is responsible for more lower back, shoulder and RSI pain than seems right, and … well, because we’re old dogs, and have trouble learning new tricks, we appear stuck with this technological curse. Thanks – we feel much better having shared that. Now, there’s a new keyboard for tiny devices that makes lots of sense - the ElekTex Smart Fabric keyboard is designed for Smart phones, PDAs and handheld devices, is lightweight, portable, full laptop-sized and now … wireless. Read More
CES 2006: BlueTooth innovations abound - Inner-ear headset, bluetooth keyboard and wireless iPod companion
By Mike Hanlon
January 5, 2006 Motorola has unveiled a ground-breaking product that sets a new standard in miniaturization for Bluetooth headset form and function - the Motorola H5 Miniblue Bluetooth Headset. Miniblue is equipped with an in-ear speaker and microphone that picks up your voice through your ear canal. The design greatly reduces ambient noise and enables crystal-clear communications in noisy environments. Weighing only 0.26 ounces and measuring 33 x 41 mm in diameter, the H5 Miniblue headset is small enough to ensure a comfortable in-ear fit. Motorola also unveiled several other Bluetooth enabled innovations including the Motorola TXTR (a full QWERTY wireless keyboard that to a Bluetooth-enabled phone so you can type messages with convenience and ease) and the Music Duo ( which lets you stream music from your iPod to your Motorola Bluetooth Stereo headphones). Read More
Belkin CableFree USB Hub enables instant wireless use of USB devices
By Mike Hanlon
January 14, 2006 Belkin's new CableFree USB Hub is the first USB Hub that does not require a cable to connect to the computer. This Hub allows people to place their laptop anywhere in the room while still maintaining wireless access to their USB devices, such as printers, scanners, hard drives, and MP3 players. This is the first UWB-enabled product to be introduced in the U.S. market. Read More
CES 2006: Wireless Stereo Headsets for Mobile Phones -- One Headset for Listening to Music and Answering Calls
By Mike Hanlon
January 4, 2006 Logitech has announced it will preview two new wireless stereo headsets for mobile phones at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show. Each of these headsets allows people to both listen to digital stereo music and conduct phone calls on mobile music phones. The Logitech Mobile Stereo Headset HS 200 and HS 210 models make it easy, with the push of a button, to switch from enjoying a favorite song to participating in a conference call. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
