Wi-Fi is, to my mind, the single biggest revolution in computing of the last ten years. I use it everyday, and it's changed my life in more ways than I can count. But it's hardly perfect. Its range, for one thing, sometimes leaves a little something to be desired. Fact is, that depends as much on your computer's wireless adapter as anything else.
Buffalo's AirStation WLI-U2-SG54HP (Japanese link) may have a name only a mother could love, but its goals are lofty. It intends to raise the wireless range on your computer to 170 meters (that's over 550 feet for us Yanks). Just plug it into your computer's USB port and suction the giant antenna onto the back of your laptop, and you're good to go. Okay, so portability may not be a watchword on this sucker, but if you need the range, well, you need the range.
It's coming to Japan first, for a price of about $39, but there's no word yet on American ship date, or whether it will be compatible with my MacBook. Which gets pretty good wireless reception, so perhaps I can avoid the eyesore.
[via Gadgetell]
Most of us have cameraphones, but how many of us can say that we have phonecameras? Samsung's new VLUU i70 (translation from Korean) doesn't just boast a 7 megapixel resolution, it totally rocks the 3G HSDPA connectivity. That's right: it's a camera that has higher speed cell wireless than, say, the iPhone. Crazy? Little bit.
What can you do with that fancy acronym? HSDPA is pretty high speed, and the VLUU i70 integrates a modem, so you'll be able to upload pictures directly from your camera to the web. The possibilities are so varied: there's blackmail. And, er, blackmail. Think about it: it's the natural progression. First you had to take your film to be developed, then you had to connect your digital camera to the computer, now you can go straight from phone to Interweb.
Besides the super funky wireless features, the camera also features the ability to shoot at an insanely high 1600 ISO speed, making the flash unnecessary in many low-light situations. There's a 3x optical zoom, and the ability to receive text messages—wait, wha? Yeah, that's just what I need.
[via New Launches]
There's been a lot of buzz about 802.11n, the next standard for wireless networking. Much of it, of course, having to do with Apple's decision to charge $1.99 for enabling the 802.11n functionality on their Core 2 Duo machines. But how is the spec itself progressing?
According to Ars Technica, Draft 2.0 should be moving to approval by the IEEE at the end of this month, and the timeline has been accelerated somewhat. You want a final date for the glories of 802.11n? January 2008. Yep, still a year away. However, that doesn't mean that the gear you purchase now won't work; most of the gear based on Draft 2.0 will be able to merely update their firmware. Early adopters of Draft N equipment may not be able to reap the full speeds of 802.11n.
But excepting any major speedbumps, we're well on our way to wireless devices with better range, higher speeds, and better coverage. It's a win-win-win situation.
Am I even allowed to discuss other phones here, now that Apple's released its monolith? Sure, why not? Competition's a good thing, after all. So let's discuss the LG KE850 Prada handset, which LG bills as the "world’s first completely touch screen mobile phone." Wait...Prada? Yeah, that's right: Prada, maker of fine handbags the world over. Apparently they're into phones now or some such.
On first blush, it might resemble that other handset with its large touchscreen, but don't be fooled. The LG phone has been in development concurrently with Apple's offering. It too has a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and uses EDGE; it does have a few more actual buttons though, including those for calling and hanging up. While it doesn't rock the Wi-Fi, it can play audio and video, as well as access your Microsoft Office documents. It also doesn't have any internal storage, relying entirely on microSD cards.
The pricetag on this baby is around €600 (that's ~$776). That's okay, as its tri-band GSM is short the 850MHz frequency, which is one of the two used in the US. Perhaps a Quad-Band version will make its way here someday. Someday...
[via Gadget Candy]
Not only did I apparently miss the R2-D2 projector at CES, but also the lightsaber-shaped USB Skype phone. Was there a Kitsch section of the exhibition hall that I missed or something? Maybe that's where that Yoda giggling I kept hearing was coming from. I dunno.
Anyway, yes, a lightsaber-shaped Skype phone, with a keypad integrated into the handle. I mean, this isn't reall the most convenient shape for a handset; it's a little clunky. But when you connect it to your computer, it makes lightsaber noises. Which won't at all look suspicious.
The real problem here is one of confusion. What if you mistake your real lightsaber for the lightsaber phone? Imagine the carnage.
[via New Launches]
Bluetooth is being built into more and more laptops, but for those that don't have it, especially older laptop owners, the biggest problem is remembering yet another USB dongle for your computer. Most Bluetooth adapters are the shape and size of flash drives, meaning that you have to store them in your bag somewhere and pull them out when you need them—not very convenient.
The MoGo Dapter wants to solve that problem by providing a USB adapter that you can leave in your computer pretty much all the time. The Dapter is a small rounded bump that barely protrudes from your laptop; you can plug it in and forget about it. It supports Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, the top Bluetooth standard at the moment, and is compatible with both Mac and Windows. And weighing in at just .09 oz, with dimensions of .4" x .73" x .37", you'll barely even notice it's there. It'll run you just $50, which is commensurate with most Bluetooth adapters.
[via Red Ferret]
I got some time to play around with one of WildCharge's products at a press event at CES. If you recall, the company had announced a system for charging your electronics wirelessly, which we mentioned last month. At the time, I reported that the system worked via induction, but company representatives at the event were firm that the system does not work via induction, though they wouldn't say how it did work, except that it doesn't involve electromagnetic radiation.
The product is a small, flat rectangle about the size of a mousepad, with strips of metal across it. Place any one of the enabled devices on it, and they begin to charge. Yes, devices need to be specially outfitted; the WildCharge reps said that they were positioning themselves as an after-market add-on at the moment, but they didn't rule out the possibility of striking deals with manufacturers.
While they wouldn't let us take pictures of the bottom of the enabled devices, I did get a chance to confirm that the system works. Or, at least, when you put the enabled iPod nano on the pad, its battery icon registers as "charging." Likewise, the little glowing globe would light up when placed on the pad. According to the product information, the power is not a trickle charge, but a full charge. And placing your hand on the charger is totally safe.
A pair of products, the WildCharger and the WildCharger mini ought to appear in early 2007. The WildCharger will supply 90 watts of power, supposedly enough for a laptop and several small devices; the mini will supply 15 watts, enough for several small devices. They'll run for $100 and $40 respectively. The convenience factor looks high, but we'll have to wait for some manufacturers to come onboard before we really get widespread wireless charging.
Light and sound: who doesn't love light and sound? Without them we'd be living in a dark, silent world, not unlike those old movies from the '20s (back when the world was in black and white). Bringing the two of them together is the province of Mitek's Soundolier product line.
The Soundolier consists of a transmitter and a speaker that's designed to look like a lamp. The reasoning behind it is both aesthetic and practical. They started out trying to figure out a good way of doing the rear speakers in a surround sound situation without having to string pesky wires, or have unsightly speakers sitting out in the open. Soundolier was the answer. The Duo model looks like a tall floor lamp; you can't even tell it's a speaker unless you get up close and peruse the controls on the side. They've designed the lamp to be tall enough so that even lanky fellows (like yours truly) won't be blinded by the lights.
Each lamp has controls for volume, specifying a wireless channel (with four possibilities), whether the speaker should provide the right or left channel (or a mix of both), as well as having both input and output jacks.
The most surreal portion of my demo of the Soundolier was when the guy showing me segued seamlessly from showing off the 360° audio capabilities to demonstrating the new foot dimmer they added. The Duo is available on its own for $279, or with a transmitter for $379. They've also added a subwoofer that's flat so it can fit between your sofa and the wall, or underneath the sofa; it also runs $279. The products will start shipping at the beginning of Q2.
