Gizmodo: 802.11g

Which Flavor of Wi-Fi Do You Use?

Sean Fallon — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT

The 802.11n spec has been in the news a lot lately. After six years, the spec has finally been approved, and we shall soon see wireless N coming to the Xbox and maybe even the iPod Touch.

It seems funny to me that wireless N is finally coming around despite the fact that I have been using it for years. But what about you? What Wi-Fi standard do you use at home?

Planex GW-USMicronN: A Teeny, Tiny Wireless-N Adapter

Mark Wilson — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST

Wireless-N speeds sound great and everything (74Mbps!), but who wants to buy a bulky new adapter? The GW-USMicronN from Planex makes the upgrade painless, assuming you have an N router. Possibly the smallest 802.11n USB adapter to date (1/6 the size of the D-Link beside it), early testing shows that its range and transfer speeds are competitive with its class, and it features all of the security measures found in bulkier adapters. Arriving in the US for $30 next month, this Planex is definitely worth keeping an eye on. [CNET and Planex]

Vudu Finally Gets Wireless Kit (Works Fine, Expensive by Competitive Measures)

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

So many products, including the $100 Roku Netflix box, come with wireless, so it was surprising that the $300 Vudu broadband video-on-demand box requires a hard Ethernet connection. Today Vudu announces an $80 Vudu-branded Ethernet-to-802.11g bridge kit built by Asus. I tried it over the weekend, and it worked great.

The dongle near the box powers itself directly from the Vudu's USB jack , meaning no extra power brick. The other end, near your router, does need to plug in, but that's less of a hassle. Best of all, it requires no on-screen configuration and works without any visible degradation when delivering high-bandwidth video. (I can't say the same for the Roku Netflix box, which choked a bit when I tested its built-in Wi-Fi.) Vudu will sell the kit with the video box itself for $350—I think it's a wise addition, though this kit costs as much as the Netflix box in its entirety, and half of the price of an Apple TV. Clearly, a bridge is the most expensive way they could go, and you also have two more things to plug in. [Vudu]

Sony Mylo 2 Handheld Communicator Keeps Sliding Form Factor, Adds Faster Wi-Fi

Jason Chen — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:30:37 EST

There isn't much to know just yet about the Sony Mylo 2, an update of the original Skype/Wi-Fi/Browser/Messaging tool that hit last year. What we do know is that it looks slightly more squarish than the original, it keeps the sliding form factor, adds a camera and has 802.11g as well as 802.11b. The only thing we'd tack on is some kind of 3G data connection so you wouldn't have to be in Wi-Fi range all the time, but that may be a dream best saved for Mylo 3. [Electronista]

Buffalo Banned from Selling 802.11a and 802.11g Gear in the US

Matt Buchanan — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:39:20 EDT

Australia-based Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation has won a patent infringement suit against Buffalo in a US district court, enjoining sales on all 802.11a, g and n products made by Buffalo as of Oct. 1 (full list here). CSIRO is apparently suing the entire wireless LAN industry, so Buffalo has the quite the list of friends filing briefs on their behalf: Microsoft, 3COM Corporation, SMC Networks, Accton Technology Corporation, Intel, Atheros Communications, Belkin International, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Nortel Networks, Nvidia Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP AG, Yahoo, Nokia, and the Consumer Electronics Association. If Buffalo doesn't win its appeal, it clears the way for CSIRO to take on the rest of the industry, which could result in licensing fees being tacked on to all 802.11a, g and n products. Booooo fees. [Buffalo via Wi-Fi Networking News, Flickr]

Wi-Fi BlackBerry Cherry Picked by FCC

Jason Chen — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:43:24 EDT

All you BlackBerry lovers envious of other people's smartphone's Wi-Fi capabilities can stop pining—the FedComCom's got you covered. Late last week, the FCC just approved what looks like a 8800 series BlackBerry with 802.11a, b and g. It's GSM, but looks like it's destined for T-Mobile. Not much other details than that, but we'll keep you updated.

First Wi-Fi-Enabled BlackBerry Cleared By The FCC [Information Week]

Vicious New Santa Rosa's LG X-Note Laptops Throw Exclusive Party with Korean Nymphs

Addy Dugdale — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:14:34 EDT

According to the Far East wires, a group of vicious LG X-Note laptops powered by Intel Santa Rosa chipsets have been seen in a Korean park while enjoying an exclusive picnic with two young cyborg nymphs. Two of the bigger notebook computers respond to the names of LG X-Note R500 and E500 (aka Biff and Joey Four Fingers), dangerous and armed with NVIDIA 8600M and 8400M cards and 15.4-inch screens. Meanwhile the MB500 (Rocco), R405 (Sammy D.) and the ultraportable R200 (Little Timmy) come with 15-, 14- and 12.1-inch displays.

All the members of the gang include 802.11n wireless capabilities built-in except for the E500, which only has 802.11a/b/g. An extra photo of one of the usual suspects and full description after the jump.

R500-UP75K
15,4 WSXGA LCD (130-degree vision)
Intel T7500 2.2 GHz, 4MB cache, FSB800
2GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS 256MBC
160GB Hard Drive
Super-Multi DVD recorded
802.11n

R500-UP73K

15,4 WXGA LCD (130-degree vision)
Intel T7300 2.0 GHz, 4MB cache, FSB800
2GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 128MB
160GB Hard Drive
Super-Multi DVD recorded
802.11n

R405-SP71K

14,4 WXGA LCD (130-degree vision)
Intel T7100 1.8 GHz, 2MB cache, FSB800
1GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 256MBC
160GB Hard Drive
Super-Multi DVD recorded
802.11n

E500-SP71K

15,4 WXGA LCD (130-degree vision)
Intel T7100 1.8 GHz, 2MB cache, FSB800
1GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 256MBC
120GB Hard Drive
Super-Multi DVD recorded
802.11n

R200-SP73K

12,4 WXGA LCD (130-degree vision)
Intel T7300 2.0 GHz, 4MB cache, FSB800
1GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 128MB
120GB Hard Drive
Super-Multi DVD recorded
802.11n

R500-UP75K

15" XGA LCD (130-degree vision)
Intel T7500 2.2 GHz, 4MB cache, FSB800
2GB RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon X2300 HD 128MB
160GB Hard Drive
Combo recorder
802.11n

Press release (Korean) [LG Korea]

Buffalo Brings High Gain to 802.11G and N

Jason Chen — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:30:06 EDT

Buffalo's two latest high gain routers bring the answer of three antennas to the question of "How do I get more range on my wireless router?" Their WZR2-G300N 802.11N router has the standard features just about all routers have, including an external switch to flip between router and access point modes, in case you've already purchased a router with Gigabit Ethernet (this one doesn't have it) and want to use this only for your wireless needs.

In 802.11g news, the WHR-G125 also has that flip switch, but comes with only one antenna and 10/100 wired networking. These two are on the low end of the router spectrum, offering bare bones features at a bare bones price ($99 for the N, and $49 for the G). If all you need to do is get on the Internet, then Buffalo's got you covered.

– Jason Chen

Press Release [Buffalo]

Upgrade your Core Duo Macbook to 802.11n

blongo3 — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:09:59 EST

So Apple's new N-based Airport Extreme is ridiculously fast, and yes almost every Intel based mac is ready to try out these insane wireless speeds. But what if you're one of those unfortunate MacBook Core Duo owners that is stuck in 802.11g land?

Well we've found you a step by step guide to mod your MacBook to be N compatible, so that you too can reap the benefits of the new Airport Extreme. The general method will work on a MacBook Pro also, but this guide is designed for the MacBook. Also we haven't gotten to try it out ourselves yet, so let us know how your results end up.– Ben Longo

How to Upgrade a Core Duo-based MacBook to Support WiFi 802.11n [HardMac]

10,000 Free FON WiFi Routers and a Review: Go!

Brian Lam — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:23:24 EST

Fon, those lovable guys trying to make a WiFi sharing community, are celebrating their 1-year birthday with a 10,000 router giveaway. The b/g routers have both a private and public access point, and you can share your broadband with strangers in exchange for free access to other Fon user's APs around the world, or for cash when non-Fon users pony up.

The router, designed by Cisco, is palm sized. And despite some rumors on the internet, it is not stronger than ye old full sized AP. In particular, I compared it to a Linksys 802.11 A/G router, the WRT55AG. The signal strength for the Fon was only 70% of the bigger router. There aren't any ethernet ports, either. But look at how tiny this thing is? Use this thing as a second AP. And do I need to remind you that this normally $30 router is going for free now. No shipping. No tax.

Go Giz readers! You are the fastest readers on all of the Internet!

OK, so you have to log into the public AP with the user/pass you signed up at fon's website with. That activates your AP. You enter your full info, address to be added into the Fon AP directory, and then you're ready to use both the public and private hotspot. It's a bit disappointing that the AP's control panel is on FON's systems, but that's the price of a free router.
–Brian Lam

[Thanks Chris Null]

Buffalo LinkTheater Wireless Media Player

Charlie White — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:30:00 EST

Buffalo rolled out an easier-to-set- up version of its LinkTheater Wireless Media Player, and it's not going as far as its higher-end brandmate, the AirStation Wireless-N Infiniti, and staying on more finite ground with the 802.11a and 802.11g standards. In case you're wondering, that's just garden-variety Wi-Fi.

Its latest trick is its ability to play well in the sandbox with Intel Viiv PCs, even waking them up when they're asleep, and it's also Dolby Digital approved and certified by the Digital Living Network Alliance. Plus, it can play just about any music, image or video file formats such as MP3, MPEG 1, 2, and 4, Windows Media and even XviD and H.264 among others. Those must all be, of course, in standard definition. There's more:

Other than that, this LinkTheater looks a lot like the media players Buffalo has been showing as for the past year or two. It's a rather handsome box, but it also stops a little short in the output category, too, where it spits out composite, S-Video and component, but no dice with HDMI. Pricing and availability date wasn't announced, but this will probably be the value-priced entry in the Buffalo home theater media player line. – Charlie White

AircordAV Wireless 1080p Box

johnb — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 14:34:12 EDT

Wireless media streaming has always been a Holy Grail for AV types, and it appears a few folks have gotten pretty close to not choosing poorly. The AircordAV transmits 1080p over 802.11g using a some strange dongles. This looks like vaporware right now—pretty CG-tastic, but it might be worth a look. Or then it might not... remember ZigBee?

The AircordAV features a base unit that can connect to any home theater component via HDMI, DVI, component, S-video, composite and event SCART for our friends overseas.

AircordAV Wireless Transmits 1080p HD Over 802.11g Wi-Fi [eHomeUpgrade via Engadget]

Linksys Ships Speedy-G Phones

Travis Hudson — Thu, 18 May 2006 10:21:14 EDT

There is a good news for the VoIP fanboys out there—yes, all two of you. The WIP300 and WIP330 Wireless-G IP Phones from Linksys are now available. The speeds of 802.11g provide high quality VoIP with clear voice communication.

The WIP330 also includes an integrated web browser that can be used for any web based application, including video. Unfortunately this higher-end model carries a hefty $370 price tag. The lower-end WIP300 runs for $220. Check it out, you VoIP whore—I know you want to.

Linksys Ships Its First Wireless-G IP Phones [eHomeUpgrade]

Iomega 1TB Network Attached Storage

Jason Chen — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 15:54:59 EDT

This new Iomega Network Attached Storage (NAS) device is more connected than Skynet. With gigabit ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, wireless 802.11G networking, your Desperate Housewives bittorrent downloads are available anywhere you have a connection.

On the storage side, RAID 0, 1 and 5 can be configured to support four 250GB hard drives, which makes for a maximum of 1 Terabyte. Even Dean Cain couldn't handle that much Teri Hatcher.

New 1TB Iomega NAS Device Offers 802.11g [Digital Trends]