Archive for the ‘WiFi’ Category

Who wants a bulky router taking up valuable living room space?  Enter D-Link’s DIR-602 Wireless-N router.  This device measures only 4.25” x 2.4” x 1.0”, yet it provides much of the functionality offered by a full-sized wireless router, with a form factor that can fit in your pocket.

The DIR-602 also features two 10/100 Ethernet ports for wired users.  The router does require an AC adapter, however.

No word on pricing or a release date, but the device made its way through the FCC today, so we should be seeing it soon.

It’s a pain to miss a great shot due to a full memory card.  And as camera manufacturers bump up the size of images, memory cards are getting fuller, faster.

That’s where Eye-Fi comes in.  Eye-Fi cards look just like a standard SD card, but they actually have a tiny wireless transmitter in addition to flash storage that can send images directly to a PC or online photo site.  In Endless Memory mode, the Eye-Fi opens up space as soon as your pictures have been uploaded to a different device, giving you virtually unlimited memory for taking pictures.

So how do these innovative little cards work?  Thanks to the FCC filings, we can take a look inside an Eye-Fi card to see how Eye-Fi, Inc. fits so much functionality into a card that measures only 32mm long, 24mm wide and 2.1mm thick.

Like normal SD cards, the Eye-Fi relies on flash memory to storage images before they are transmitted wirelessly.  The Eye-Fi uses Samsung flash memory, not surprising since Samsung is one of the world’s larger producers of flash.

The Samsung chip with the KLM prefix, pictured above, is part of Samsung’s moviNAND product line.  The 8G in the part number refers to the chip’s storage capacity – 8GB.

Above the Samsung flash is a Marvell wireless transceiver, part number 88W8786.  This chip supports 802.11 b/g/n, and is designed for a wide range of mobile devices.  802.11n support on the Eye-Fi is a nice feature, since it enables data transfer rates up to 150Mbps.  The Marvell 88W8786 is actually powered by a 128MHz Marvell Feroceon CPU.

To the right of the Marvell transceiver is a Eye-Fi chip that likely manages the chip’s wireless networking and data transfer features.  We don’t know much about the Eye-Fi chip, but you can read more about Eye-Fi technology in the company’s patent, which was issued on April 20, 2010, here.

It’s interesting to see what’s actually inside of a Eye-Fi card, and it’s impressive to see how the company fit so much functionality into the tiny SD card form factor.

It looks like Novatel is updating their lineup of MiFi portable wireless hotspots.  Yesterday, the company passed two new versions of the MiFi, the 3352 and 3372, through the FCC.  Both devices offer download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps and 5.76 Mbps upload speeds.  Other features include support for up to five devices, and microSD slot for additional storage, and support for HSPA, UMTS, EDGE and GPRS networks.

The MiFi 3352 and 3372 will be making their way to Europe, North America and Asia/Pacific regions.  No word on pricing or a release date.

Comcast started to roll out its HomePoint service late last year in select markets.  The service combines VoIP and Internet services into a single router.  Today, what appears to be a new version of Comcast’s HomePoint solution made an appearance on the FCC, thanks to a filing by SMC networks.

The device, which is referred to in FCC filings as the SMCD3USG, pictured above, bears Comcast’s xfinity brand, which Comcast uses for its triple play services.  The device features 802.11 b/g/n wireless and support for DECT handsets.  We’re guessing that Comcast will offer this router with one of their customized DECT handsets, like the one pictured to the left.

The SMCD3USG also features telephone and alarm jacks, four 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, two USB ports, and a MoCA/Cable input.  Since phone service will be provided by this router, the device has space for two 2600 mAh rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries that will maintain phone service in the event of a power failure.

The manual for the SMCD3USG can be found here.

The SMCD3USG is a pretty substantial device, measuring 10” x 8.7” x 3.2”, and weighing in at 2.3 pounds.  No word on pricing or a release date yet, but we’ll keep you posted as we learn more.

The USB WiFi adapter from ZyXEL pictured above passed through the FCC today.  Known as the NWD2105, this tiny device is less than 40mm long (about 1.4”), but brings 802.11 b/g/n goodness to your favorite USB-equipped device.

We don’t have any word on pricing or availability yet, but you can view the NWD2105’s data sheet here.

TV manufacturer Vizio announced plans to release a wireless router at this year’s CES, and today the device made its first appearance on the FCC.  Known as the XWR100 Dual-band HD Wireless Internet Router, the device offers 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi capabilities, including, as the device’s name suggests, dual-band wireless-N goodness.

As you can see above, the XWR100 features a sleek, glossy black exterior – a big improvement over the traditional bulky, plastic router form-factor.  The XWR100 also rocks a 4 port, 10/100 switch, USB 2.0 port for connecting to hard drives, and WPS, WEP and WPA wireless security.

Vizio claims that the XWR100 is ideal for streaming HD video and audio, and optimized for Vizio VIA-enabled products.  However, looks aside, we don’t see any major differences between the XWR100 and other dual-band wireless-N routers.  Still, dual-band wireless-N is ideal for HD video streaming, and the XWR100 looks good enough to be mounted on a wall or placed prominently atop an AV stand.

The XWR100 will cost $100, and is scheduled to be released in the first half of this year.

Today, three components from Microsoft made their way through the FCC.  Two of the devices, the 1409 and 1410 are described as 2.4 GHz short range RF modules.  The other, known as the 1400, is a 802.11 b/g/n WLAN client.

We don’t know much else about these devices at this point.  However, according to test reports these modules are designed to be installed in a host device.

So what are these modules?  Microsoft often passes peripherals such as keyboards and mice through the FCC, but these devices are usually complete products – not just modules.  However, Microsoft isn’t really in the module manufacturing business.  There are lots of RF and WiFi modules available from OEM vendors, so why would Microsoft develop these modules on its own?

Label location pictures, above, don’t reveal much either.  Our guess is that these modules are part of an upcoming Microsoft product that is being kept tightly under wraps.  The Courier is the first thing that comes to mind, of course.  But at this point our speculation is just baseless wishful thinking.

Another possibility is these modules are part of an Xbox 360 peripheral, such as Natal.  Again, this is just speculation.

We’ll keep you updated on this as we learn more.

Netgear passed the N600 dual band wireless router through the FCC yesterday.  The device provides 802.11 a/b/g and dual-band wireless N goodness.  The N600 has four 10/100 LAN ports, and supports Netgear’s Readyshare technology.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any external or internal pics of the device, although label pics suggest that the device will have a similar form factor as Netgear’s DGN3500 wireless router.

No word on pricing or availability.

Have a 3G USB modem and feeling like sharing?  Surf on over to Woot.com.  Woot’s deal of the day is a Cradlepoint PHS300 portable WiFi hotspot for $100.

The PHS300 turns your 3G USB modem into a WiFi hotspot.  The device even works with tethered 3G phones.  The device works with both GSM and EVDO 3G networks, so you can use the PHS300 worldwide.

You can plug in the PHS300 into an outlet with the included AC adapter, or take the device on the road.  The PHS300 relies on a Li Ion battery that provides ‘hours’ of wireless goodness.

Although the PHS300 isn’t as sleek as the MiFi, it is priced attractively.  Also, the device allows you to use any 3G USB modem, unlike the MiFi that is carrier-specific.

At first the Audi audio unit above appears to be a typical CD/DVD drive.  That is, until you notice the SIM card slot placed between two SD card slots.  Yes, this head unit is really a 3G WiFi hotspot on wheels – taking your SIM card and filling your car with glorious WiFi.

Audi announced their Mobile Media Interface (MMI) system with WiFi earlier this month, and today the device showed up on the FCC.  As you can imagine, there are a ton of benefits to having a car constantly connected to the net.  You can download all sorts of real-time navigation and POI data, as well as traffic information and satellite imagery.

But lets be honest, what we’re all looking forward to is driving around while surfing the web.  At least for Audi passengers.  Imaging taking a road trip without losing Internet access.  That means Hulu on the road, not to mention mobile TV if you have a Slingbox.

We’re not exactly sure if you need to provide your own SIM, or if Audi will partner with local mobile phone carriers.  Hopefully, Audi will negotiate a low monthly rate for data access.

Audis with mobile WiFi are expected to hit showrooms in July 2010.  It’s unclear if Audi will offer MMI WiFi in all of their models, but we do know that at least the A8 will be available with this feature.