wifi | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:08:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png wifi | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Edifier S1000W WiFi Bookshelf Speaker Review https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/mat-mynett/edifier-s1000w-wifi-bookshelf-speaker-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/mat-mynett/edifier-s1000w-wifi-bookshelf-speaker-review/#respond Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:00:50 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=600458 Edifier are back, this time around we're checking out their S1000W wireless bookshelf speakers

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The S1000W Wireless Active Bookshelf Speakers from Edifier take the same specs as the popular S1000Mk2 speakers and add wireless connectivity into the mix. With 120 watts of combined output power and convenient compatibility with Spotify and Tidal connect, they certainly promise a lot on paper. Can they deliver the sound to back it up though?

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:42 Speaker Details
02:13 The Design / Size
03:10 Quality / Finish
04:14 Remote control
04:35 Rear of speakers
06:00 Spotify connect / Bluetooth
07:12 Ignoring smart home features
07:52 Cabling included
08:13 Sound quality
10:12 Sound test
11:27 Gaming & Closing thoughts

Specifications:

• Power Output: 35W×2 (Mid-Range/Bass) + 25W×2 (Treble)
• Frequency Response: 45Hz~40kHz
• Noise Level: ≤25dB(A)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: ≥ 90dB(A)
• Input Sensitivity: Line In 1: 700 ± 50mV | Line In 2: 900 ± 50mV, OPT, COX: 450 ± 50mV | Bluetooth: 500 ± 50mV
• Input Type: Line In 1/Line In 2/Optical/Coaxial/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth version: v5.0
• Driver Unit: 5.5″ (Mid-Range/Bass) + 1″ (Treble)
• Dimensions: 7.8in x 13.6in x 11.6in (WxHxD)

You can buy the S1000W Wireless Bookshelf Speakers direct from Edifier for £399.99 HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

Pros:

  • Exceptional sound quality.
  • Robust build quality.
  • Premium design and construction.
  • Versatile connectivity options.

Cons:

  • Included remote feels a bit cheap.

KitGuru says: The quality on offer from Edifier here is highly impressive. The S1000W speakers deliver a truly rich listening experience that will work well in almost all situations. The wide variety of connectivity options cater to almost all needs and while the setup process and app could be improved slightly, they work well enough to get the most of these balanced, powerful and beautifully designed speakers.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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Apple has reportedly paused development on its own iPhone WiFi chips https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/apple-has-reportedly-paused-development-on-its-own-iphone-wifi-chips/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/apple-has-reportedly-paused-development-on-its-own-iphone-wifi-chips/#respond Fri, 27 Jan 2023 11:05:20 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=591416 Back in 2019, Apple acquired Intel's smartphone modem business for roughly $1 billion, giving Apple everything it needs to develop its own WiFi chips for future devices. We've yet to see Apple make the jump to its own WiFi modems in the iPhone and it looks like the company will now be waiting a bit …

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Back in 2019, Apple acquired Intel's smartphone modem business for roughly $1 billion, giving Apple everything it needs to develop its own WiFi chips for future devices. We've yet to see Apple make the jump to its own WiFi modems in the iPhone and it looks like the company will now be waiting a bit longer. 

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has regularly covered Apple's product pipeline over the years, Apple “halted” development of its own WiFi chip recently. Apple was working on its own WiFi chips in an effort to break away from the likes of Broadcom, Apple's current supplier.

 

So why has Apple hit the pause button? Well, it is believed that Apple has shifted its resources around to ensure it can continue to make gains in CPU and GPU performance for its A and M series SoCs, which are now widely used across Apple's product stack.

It is also possible that Apple is waiting for the next standard shift. WiFi 6 is still fairly new, but WiFi 7 is in development and should be with us in the next few years. With that in mind, it looks like we can expect iPhones to continue to use Broadcom modems for wireless connectivity for a while longer.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Apple seemed intent on splitting up from its wireless chip suppliers a few years ago, but the transition has been slow. 

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The Razer Edge packs a 144Hz display, 5G and access to tons of console and PC games https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/the-razer-edge-packs-a-144hz-display-5g-and-access-to-tons-of-console-and-pc-games/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/the-razer-edge-packs-a-144hz-display-5g-and-access-to-tons-of-console-and-pc-games/#respond Sat, 15 Oct 2022 18:00:46 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=578673 A couple of weeks ago, Razer teased the return of the Razer Edge. This time around, rather than being a Windows gaming tablet, the device is positioned as a handheld games console, complete with 5G capabilities for fast access to cloud gaming services. Now today at RazerCon, the company has officially unveiled the system, which also promises some excellent hardware for native gaming too. 

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A couple of weeks ago, Razer teased the return of the Razer Edge. This time around, rather than being a Windows gaming tablet, the device is positioned as a handheld games console, complete with 5G capabilities for fast access to cloud gaming services. Now today at RazerCon, the company has officially unveiled the system, which also promises some excellent hardware for native gaming too. 

The Razer Edge is based on Android and is billed as the world's first dedicated 5G gaming device. You can use that superfast networking speed to stream games from services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now. Additionally, it will run Android games natively and the experience should be very good, in large part thanks to the hardware under the hood.

The Razer Edge boasts a 6.8″ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 2400×1080 resolution. If you crack one open, you'll find a Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Gaming SoC, combining a 3GHz Octa-core Kryo CPU and an Adreno GPU. The handheld also packs a 5000mAh battery, so you should be able to play games for hours without worrying about finding a plug.

If you don't care for 5G cellular connectivity, or have little need for it, you can opt for the cheaper WiFi-only model. The 5G version will be sold exclusively through Verizon, granting access to their network. In the beginning, both the Razer Edge WiFi and the Razer Edge 5G will only be available in the US and will come bundled with the Razer Kishi V2 Pro mobile gaming controller. Eventually, the Razer Edge should become available in more markets.

The Razer Edge WiFi will be available starting in January 2023 for $399.99. You can reserve one with a $5 deposit, which is refundable if you end up deciding not to go through with the purchase.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: There have been many attempts at the ‘Android games console' dream over the years, but the Razer Edge may be able to capitalise on the current booming popularity of handheld gaming devices. Would you consider something like this? Or do you prefer to just use your phone for mobile games and a dedicated console or PC for higher-end games? 

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KitGuru Advent Calendar Day 35 – Win a Synology mesh WiFi router! (closed) https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/competitions/matthew-wilson/kitguru-advent-calendar-day-35-win-a-synology-mesh-wifi-router/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/competitions/matthew-wilson/kitguru-advent-calendar-day-35-win-a-synology-mesh-wifi-router/#respond Tue, 04 Jan 2022 10:00:16 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=545417 For day 35 on the KitGuru Advent Calendar, we have teamed up with Synology to help you upgrade your in-home network! Today, we have TWO Synology MR2200ac mesh routers to give away.

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Update: This competition is now CLOSED. Thanks to all who entered – our winners today are Addy Sargent and Damian Hanns. If you missed out this time then you still have another couple of chances left to win before the advent calendar ends. Today's giveaway can be found HERE

For day 35 on the KitGuru Advent Calendar, we have teamed up with Synology to help you upgrade your in-home network! Today, we have TWO Synology MR2200ac mesh routers to give away.

The Synology MR2200ac is a mesh WiFi router, offering best in class parental controls, intelligent mesh WiFi capability, easy monitoring and configuration tools and more.

Entering this giveaway is simple, all you need to do is head over to THIS POST on our Facebook page and leave a comment. We plan to have a new discussion topic each day, today we are asking you guys – what router are you currently running? This competition is open in the EU and UK.

The winner will be picked at random by 10am GMT January 5th, and a new competition will also be announced for Day 36. The chosen winner has 48 hours to respond, if we do not hear from them, then the prize will be revoked and a new winner will be picked.

Terms and Conditions: This competition is open in the EU and UK, starting at 10AM GMT on January 4th and ending at 9:59AM GMT on January 5th. Due to the busy season, prize deliveries could take longer than usual and some prizes may not ship until later in January 2022. In compliance with GDPR, we will not collect or store any personal information as part of this competition. Once the winner has been contacted and their prize received, personal details will be deleted from our email servers. Your details will not be shared, we respect your privacy.

KitGuru Says: Good luck to everyone entering today’s competition! We’ll be back to announce the winners tomorrow morning and open the door for Advent Calendar Day 36!

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AMD has reportedly partnered with MediaTek to develop Wi-Fi controllers https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/wireless/joao-silva/amd-has-reportedly-partnered-with-mediatek-to-develop-wi-fi-controllers/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/wireless/joao-silva/amd-has-reportedly-partnered-with-mediatek-to-develop-wi-fi-controllers/#respond Tue, 08 Sep 2020 10:08:54 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=484741 A new report suggests that AMD is planning to enter the networking hardware market with the help of MediaTek. Currently, laptops powered by AMD processors and AMD motherboards mostly use a Realtek or Intel WiFi controller, but that may change with an AMD and MediaTek partnership. Intel and Realtek are quite dominant in the WiFi …

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A new report suggests that AMD is planning to enter the networking hardware market with the help of MediaTek. Currently, laptops powered by AMD processors and AMD motherboards mostly use a Realtek or Intel WiFi controller, but that may change with an AMD and MediaTek partnership.

Intel and Realtek are quite dominant in the WiFi controller market. AMD-powered laptops and motherboards are usually equipped with a network solution from one of these two companies. If AMD starts to produce their own WiFi controllers and use it in laptops and motherboards, it would be possible to integrate various technologies in these systems, offering improved network features. Intel has been doing this with its vPro processors, so AMD could do something similar with the Ryzen Pro processors.

This report comes from DigiTimes, and claims that MediaTek will partner with AMD to produce their wireless NICs. MediaTek, known for manufacturing mobile SOCs and cellular MODEM chips, already have the intellectual property that AMD needs to produce their own wireless controllers, which could be beneficial for AMD.

The report only refers to WiFi controllers for laptops, but AMD could also produce them for desktop motherboards. This would allow motherboard manufacturers to use AMD's WiFi controllers in their solutions, instead of using Intel and Realtek ones. The release date of AMD's network controllers is currently unknown.

KitGuru says: What do you think about AMD getting into the networking hardware market? How would AMD take advantage of producing their own WiFi controllers?

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MSI launches trio of TRX40 motherboards for 3rd Gen Threadripper https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/matthew-wilson/msi-launches-trio-of-trx40-motherboards-for-3rd-gen-threadripper/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/matthew-wilson/msi-launches-trio-of-trx40-motherboards-for-3rd-gen-threadripper/#respond Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:00:04 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=435257 Yesterday was a big one for both AMD and its partners. Not only have the first 3rd Gen Threadripper CPUs been announced, but motherboard makers are starting to show off their first offerings for the new TRX40 platform. We've seen a trio of boards from ASUS already this week and now, our attention turns towards …

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Yesterday was a big one for both AMD and its partners. Not only have the first 3rd Gen Threadripper CPUs been announced, but motherboard makers are starting to show off their first offerings for the new TRX40 platform. We've seen a trio of boards from ASUS already this week and now, our attention turns towards MSI, with three new TRX40 motherboards of its own. 

MSI's TRX40 motherboards focus on professionals and creators, with the Creator TRX40, TRX40 PRO 10G and TRX40 PRO WIFI models. The flagship of the three here is the Creator TRX40, which MSI claims has the “best hardware design for maximum performance and long-lasting operation”.

The MSI Creator TRX40 comes with a new thermal solution, with a larger VRM heatsink, extended heatpipe and stacked fin array to maximise heat dissipation. A Frozr heatsink and fan is used for chipset cooling, there is also shielding for the on-board audio hardware and a double-sided M.2 Shield to keep your SSD temperatures under control for peak performance.

MSI's PCIe 4.0 lanes carry a data transfer bandwidth of 64GB/s, ensuring plenty of support for PCIe 4.0 SSDs. The PCIe slots on the motherboard are also reinforced with extra solder points to withstand heavier GPUs and shielding to prevent any signal interference. An M.2 XPANDER-AERO add-in card will also give you room to plug four M.2 SSDs in on a single card with transfer speeds up to 64Gb/s.

The VRM design uses 16 phases 70A digital power for precise, stable CPU power delivery. MSI's Core Boost feature returns too, with an optimised circuit design to ensure quality power transfer for stable overclocking.

Finally, for I/O and connectivity, the Creator TRX40 packs 19 USB ports and for network connectivity, you get dual LAN ports, including a 10G Super LAN connection for high-bandwidth and lower latency. The board also comes with Wi-Fi 6 on-board for future-proofed wireless connectivity.

The TRX40 PRO 10G and TRX40 PRO WIFi are similar boards. You still get the M.2 XPANDER card for additional SSDs, and MSI's new motherboard cooling solution to keep everything working optimally. However, the power design is a 12+3 phase design instead. Other differences are fairly obvious, with the PRO 10G offering 10G LAN and the PRO WIFI offering on-board Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

Pricing is still to be confirmed but all three MSI TRX40 motherboards should be available in the UK later this month to coincide with the TR 3960X and TR 3970X retail release.

KitGuru Says: What do you all think of the TRX40 motherboard offerings so far? MSI's Creator board looks to be packed with high-end features, but we'll have to wait and see how pricing ends up looking. 

 

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Netgear is giving away ten Orbi Pro WiFi systems https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/netgear-is-giving-away-ten-orbi-pro-wifi-systems/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/netgear-is-giving-away-ten-orbi-pro-wifi-systems/#respond Thu, 27 Sep 2018 15:31:06 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=388422 While we run a lot of our own giveaways here at KitGuru, sometimes we'll spot good ones occurring elsewhere. This week Netgear is running its own competition, offering up ten Orbi Pro WiFi systems. The Orbi Pro operates wire-free and provides a dedicated connection between router and satellite. Setting one up is as easy as …

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While we run a lot of our own giveaways here at KitGuru, sometimes we'll spot good ones occurring elsewhere. This week Netgear is running its own competition, offering up ten Orbi Pro WiFi systems.

The Orbi Pro operates wire-free and provides a dedicated connection between router and satellite. Setting one up is as easy as can be, provides three additional SSIDs and can provide over 100Mbps speeds between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet range.

Netgear is giving ten of these away, so we figured our readers would appreciate the heads up. The Orbi Pro is worth £470, so it is a decent prize all around.

In order to win, all you need to do is head over to Netgear's ‘Bye-Bye to bad Wi-Fi' page and fill in the details.

KitGuru Says: Good luck to those who decide to enter! Do keep in mind that this isn't our own giveaway, so any questions will need to be directed towards Netgear, who you can follow on Twitter

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Early iPhone XS buyers are having issues with WiFi and cell reception https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/early-iphone-xs-buyers-are-having-issues-with-wifi-and-cell-reception/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/early-iphone-xs-buyers-are-having-issues-with-wifi-and-cell-reception/#respond Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:27:24 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=387745 The iPhone XS and XS Max has begun making its way out to customers but it looks like some early adopters are having issues. Over the last few days, reports of poor WiFi connections and low cell reception have been doing the rounds. Early adopters of the new phones have been posting their complaints on …

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The iPhone XS and XS Max has begun making its way out to customers but it looks like some early adopters are having issues. Over the last few days, reports of poor WiFi connections and low cell reception have been doing the rounds.

Early adopters of the new phones have been posting their complaints on Reddit and the Apple Support forum, noting that signal is worse than the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in some cases. This wouldn't be the first time that Apple has faced wireless reception issues, the iPhone 4 was faced a similar issue at launch, although antenna-gate was more widespread than this appears to be.

Most of the complaints so far are occurring over in the US. Apple has yet to say anything on the matter itself but right now, many users are hoping for a software fix.

The iPhone XS and XS Max teardown from iFixIt revealed that Apple has made the jump over to a new Intel modem for its latest batch of devices. There is also a new antenna line that runs along the bottom of the phone, which should be helping to boost signal. For one reason or another though, it doesn't appear to be working as expected for some.

KitGuru Says: We'll keep an eye out for Apple's official response. Hopefully a software fix is already in the works for those affected. Have any of you picked up an iPhone XS or XS Max? Have you had any issues with WiFi or cell reception? 

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Outdoor internet connectivity: Addressing the lack of outdoor networking https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/andrej-kovacevic/outdoor-internet-connectivity-addressing-the-lack-of-outdoor-networking/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/andrej-kovacevic/outdoor-internet-connectivity-addressing-the-lack-of-outdoor-networking/#respond Mon, 28 May 2018 19:09:15 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=374628 In the ever-changing fight to bring connectivity to our daily lives, there remains a solid disconnect between our indoor networks and how we treat the internet when we step outside our front door. For many, private home internet use is approached with zest and zeal. Pushing connectivity into every room in one's home is as …

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In the ever-changing fight to bring connectivity to our daily lives, there remains a solid disconnect between our indoor networks and how we treat the internet when we step outside our front door.

For many, private home internet use is approached with zest and zeal. Pushing connectivity into every room in one's home is as common as can be, and the internet itself hosts discussion after discussion and article after article of ways to bring a home into the 21st century through networking solutions. The concept of the Internet of Things revolves around this concept, relying heavily on networking up every component in a home that can accept an internet connection.

Yet at the same time there is an odd shying away from taking this connectivity outside of the realm of living rooms and bedrooms, as if the outer reaches of yards, gardens or even garages can't benefit from having an active connection.

Granted, there is a solid precedent for this problem in the form of solving wireless communication issues that have plagued us since wireless internet connectivity became an option. It can be hard enough to set up a home network that provides indoor signals strong enough to be used home-wide, let alone setting up a system that reaches outdoors, but options are available and aren't as unusual as one might think, which opens up a world of outdoor connectivity that could bring about tangible improvement to our daily lives.

Home security often revolves around closed-circuit cameras and wireless monitoring, but this can be taken a step further and adapted into wireless doorbells with built-in cameras that offer a mixture of security and convenience, though many of these same features can be achieved through a home network of security cameras, albeit at a much higher cost.

cameras linked to a wireless hub and how the advent of cloud storage has taken a step towards removing one of the most unfortunate flaws in security through physical removal of storage devices. Yes, there is always the threat that your cameras may be spotted and removed, but that doesn't stop their information from being uploaded to a server that can't simply be carted off.

Yet outdoor improvements through networking don't have to revolve solely around security. Sometimes a simple quality of life improvement can boost how you feel about outdoor spaces or make better utilisation of your time, as is the case with outdoor smart lighting or wireless speakers for the sake of entertainment and ease of finding your way around after dark.

Range repeaters and even powerline adaptors offer methods of taking the internet into a realm that it has sorely neglected for a few years too many, but excuses for avoiding an outdoor-friendly network mostly revolve around the price of investment at this point in time. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are still relatively new and their price point reflects that, hampering many potential users from investment. Remote users may have difficulty finding a signal over anything but their cell phone's wireless plan which is oft woefully underpowered when it comes to handling extensive outdoor networks, which then lends credence to investing in NBN plans to make up for mobile plan shortcomings.

With any luck one can hope that an outdoor IoT approach can lead to wider adoption of technologies and gadgets that broadcast information for the good of all. The slow advent of smart cities might be spurred along if more of their inhabitants adapted and joined the wider world of connectivity to take advantage of existing technologies; Smart weather tracking and reporting is but the smallest of helpful uses for real-time data collection when compared to examples like Kansas City's live reporting of traffic, both consisting of vehicles and pedestrians, to help its citizens judge ideal travel times and the accessibility of public parking.

Stepping into a future where outdoor spaces are as connected as the indoors isn't an overnight dream, however, requiring a hint of dedication and mindfulness towards how helpful connectivity can truly be. For some, it takes a bit of imagination to figure out just how to make an outdoor network helpful for something beyond watching Netflix by the pool, yet for others it's just another extension of a digital lifestyle that is creeping into the public eye. Early adoption isn't always cheap or easy; Sometimes you have to take leaps of faith to show others just how productive and useful your dreams truly are.

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This smart plug will reset your router for you if your internet dies https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/this-smart-plug-will-reset-your-router-for-you-if-your-internet-dies/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/this-smart-plug-will-reset-your-router-for-you-if-your-internet-dies/#comments Mon, 09 May 2016 16:09:12 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=292262 It can be a frustrating experience when your internet connection dies, particularly if you have to mess around turning your router on and off again until it works. However, the ResetPlug may be able to help out with that, by checking that everything is connected and then resetting the router for you if connection to …

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It can be a frustrating experience when your internet connection dies, particularly if you have to mess around turning your router on and off again until it works. However, the ResetPlug may be able to help out with that, by checking that everything is connected and then resetting the router for you if connection to the web is lost.

As far as handy little gadgets for the house go, this isn't a bad idea. The ResetPlug does have a fairly hefty $60 price tag though, so it might only be worth it if you find yourself having to reset the router fairly often.

Screen Shot 2016-05-09 at 17.07.26

This appears to be a US-only product at the moment but its easy enough to set up. As you would expect, you plug the ResetPlug into an outlet and then plug your router or modem into it. From there, it will monitor your connection and perform a reset if any issues occur.

KitGuru Says: I used to have plenty of problems with my internet dropping out back where I used to live. Fortunately things have improved considerably since then but this device would've been quite handy to have back then. Do any of you have a lot of problems with Internet dropping out? Would you fork out for something like this?

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Asus is giving away some of its wireless routers https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/asus-is-giving-away-some-of-its-wireless-routers/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/asus-is-giving-away-some-of-its-wireless-routers/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:55:42 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=283366 Here in the UK, ISPs and their routers can be a bit hit and miss when it comes to speeds and range even on higher tier packages. However, ASUS appears to be pretty confident that its routers can improve your experience, which is why they are currently running a ‘Test Pilot' competition, inviting people to …

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Here in the UK, ISPs and their routers can be a bit hit and miss when it comes to speeds and range even on higher tier packages. However, ASUS appears to be pretty confident that its routers can improve your experience, which is why they are currently running a ‘Test Pilot' competition, inviting people to share their poor WiFi experiences online for a chance to get a new ASUS router.

Entrants need to be based here in the UK for this particular giveaway. ASUS has set up an entry page, where you will be asked what ISP and broadband service you currently use, along with how happy you are with your current router's performance. You will also need to explain why you would like a new ASUS router and how it would benefit your home.

WLAN_test_pilot_twitter_1024x512px (003)

If your entry is up to scratch, then ASUS will send you a new router in return to help improve WiFi coverage in your house. You can find the entry page, HERE. This is not a KitGuru giveaway so messages sent directly to us won't get you anywhere, we are merely sharing this competition in case it ends up helping out any of our UK readers.

KitGuru Says: ASUS does make some excellent wireless routers so if you are struggling with WiFi signal or speeds in your house, this could be a good way to get your hands on an upgrade. 

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ASUS and Google partner up for the OnHub 2 https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/matthew-wilson/asus-and-google-partner-up-for-the-onhub-2/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/matthew-wilson/asus-and-google-partner-up-for-the-onhub-2/#respond Fri, 30 Oct 2015 19:30:46 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=273651 It seems like the original OnHub only just launched but Google already has the next version of its router lined up. While the original was built in partnership with TP-Link, the OnHub 2 is being handled by ASUS, designed to be fast, secure and easy to set up. It's a pretty nice looking router too, …

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It seems like the original OnHub only just launched but Google already has the next version of its router lined up. While the original was built in partnership with TP-Link, the OnHub 2 is being handled by ASUS, designed to be fast, secure and easy to set up. It's a pretty nice looking router too, so you won't be ashamed to have it sitting out in the open for everyone to see.

The ASUS OnHub will feature faster WiFi speeds. You can also boost speeds for a particular device by waving your hand over the top of the router, meaning if your Netflix stream keeps buffering, you can use this gesture to put more bandwidth towards that device.

13 - Wave Control with phone beside

The OnHub will also use software to select the best antenna to use to supply WiFi to your device based on location and orientation. Additionally, the router will update itself when there is little to no WiFi activity going on in the house, so you shouldn't experience any interruptions during the day.

Much like the first OnHub, the ASUS model is only available in the US and Canada to start off with. Pre-orders start at $219.99, though the TP-Link OnHub is also still available.

KitGuru Says: The OnHub was highly rated when it launched a few months back. ASUS also has a pretty good reputation when it comes to routers, so we should expect good things from this new one. Are any of you in the market for a new router? Which one do you use? 

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Synology rolls out its first router: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Ethernet and NAS capabilities https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/anton-shilov/synology-rolls-out-its-first-router-802-11ac-wi-fi-ethernet-and-nas-capabilities/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/anton-shilov/synology-rolls-out-its-first-router-802-11ac-wi-fi-ethernet-and-nas-capabilities/#respond Fri, 05 Jun 2015 06:57:02 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=252854 Synology, a well known maker of network area storage solutions, introduced its first router – the Synology RT1900ac – at Computex. The device boasts all modern technologies as well as integrated NAS capabilities, reports Leo Waldock, a KitGuru editor, from Taipei. The product is set to hit the market shortly from now. Pretty much every …

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Synology, a well known maker of network area storage solutions, introduced its first router – the Synology RT1900ac – at Computex. The device boasts all modern technologies as well as integrated NAS capabilities, reports Leo Waldock, a KitGuru editor, from Taipei. The product is set to hit the market shortly from now.

Pretty much every aspect of the new Synology RT1900ac follows specifications of all modern high-end routers: it is based on an advanced Broadcom network processor, it supports WiFi b/g/n/ac protocols and simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, 3*3 MIMO streams, three external antennae, beam forming, QoS and up to 1.9Gb/s data rate. However, the Synology RT1900ac is a not a yet another router.

synology_rt1900ac_2

Synology is a NAS company and its first router allows one to build a personal media cloud using only this device. The RT1900ac runs Synology Router Manager (SRM) v1.0 software and has a Secure Digital card reader as well as a USB port. The Synology Router Manager (SRM) looks and feels pretty much like the Disk Station Manager (DSM) found on Synology’s NAS devices, reports Leo.

synology_rt1900ac_1

Once a USB drive or an SD card are plugged to the RT1900ac, it is possible to use Synology’s Video Station software to manage the content and stream it to TVs using the Miracast technology. Moreover, the RT1900ac and the DSM will support mobile applications, so it will be possible to access the content from anywhere. In fact, any external storage device essentially transforms Synology's RT1900ac into a NAS.

synology_rt1900ac

The Synology RT1900ac is about to hit the market in Taiwan. It is possible to expect the product to arrive to the U.K. sometimes in the third quarter of the year. The price is unknown, but the company implies that it will be comparable to that of similar products from companies like Asustek Computer.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The Synology RT1900ac seems to be an interesting product with unique capabilities. If it becomes a success, then we can expect similar features from other routers made by different manufacturers too.

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Watchdog warns in-flight WiFi presents hacking risk https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/security-software/jon-martindale/watchdog-warns-in-flight-wifi-presents-hacking-risk/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/security-software/jon-martindale/watchdog-warns-in-flight-wifi-presents-hacking-risk/#respond Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:04:50 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=245408 Hackers with enough technical know how could break into the flight controls of a plane using the on board WiFi, according to the US Government Accountability Office. It claims to have identified a significant danger in the use of in-flight WiFi that could make it possible for the plane to be essentially hacked by a passenger …

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Hackers with enough technical know how could break into the flight controls of a plane using the on board WiFi, according to the US Government Accountability Office. It claims to have identified a significant danger in the use of in-flight WiFi that could make it possible for the plane to be essentially hacked by a passenger or someone on the ground, giving them access to all sorts of important systems. It has now called on the Federal Aviation Administration to address this issue, among several other security concerns.

“Internet connectivity in the cabin should be considered a direct link between the aircraft and the outside world, which includes potential malicious actors,” the report reads (via BusinessInsider).

wifi

Fortunately it sounds like the FAA was already aware of this potential security problem, as it released a statement saying that it was currently working with government security agencies and the NSA in order to tighten up on-board internet systems to make sure that it wouldn't allow access to features that were otherwise reserved for flight staff or pilots.

The problem apparently stems from the fact that some planes use the same routers and wiring for the passenger facing internet, as they do for the plane's system for communicating  over official aviation channels. While the FAA and the GAO aren't necessarily worried about a passenger hacking the plane, there is a concern that people visiting malware infected sites while in-flight could infect the plane's systems, potentially causing major problems.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This is the unfortunate downside of wireless connectivity. Cars receiving firmware updates wirelessly represent a new security hole and in-flight internet is no different.

Image source: United Airlines

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Intel unveils WiGig-powered 7Gb/s wireless docking tech for mobile PCs https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-unveils-wigig-powered-7gbs-wireless-docking-technology-for-mobile-pcs/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-unveils-wigig-powered-7gbs-wireless-docking-technology-for-mobile-pcs/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:58:08 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=231939 Intel Corp. has formally unveiled its wireless docking technology first announced last year. The new tech will be supported by laptops, tablets and 2-in-1 hybrid systems powered by the company’s next-generation microprocessors code-named “Skylake”. The new tech will rely on WiGig technology and will eventually be accompanied by Rezence, a wireless charging technology. Intel wireless …

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Intel Corp. has formally unveiled its wireless docking technology first announced last year. The new tech will be supported by laptops, tablets and 2-in-1 hybrid systems powered by the company’s next-generation microprocessors code-named “Skylake”. The new tech will rely on WiGig technology and will eventually be accompanied by Rezence, a wireless charging technology.

Intel wireless docking tech requires a client device featuring Intel’s tri-band wireless-AC 17265 client card supporting high-speed 60GHz WiGig 802.11ad wireless technology as well as a dedicated Intel wireless gigabit antenna-M 10041R antenna module. Notebooks, tablets, 2-in-1s and other systems will connect to docks featuring Intel wireless gigabit sink-M 13100 modules specially designed for docking devices.

intel_wireless_docking_wigig

The WiGig technology (IEEE 802.11ad) allows devices to communicate at up to 7Gb/s data-rates using the 60GHz spectrum. Intel Wireless Gigabit docking supports up to two full HD displays and provides connectivity for any USB 3.0 device, such as storage or HD camera that is WiGig-enabled or connected to a wireless gigabit docking station. The WiGig docking station from Intel will have a number of ports, which will allow users to plug in various peripherals (displays, printers, speakers, storage, etc.) to the dock and then connect then wirelessly without hassles. Since 60GHz signals cannot penetrate walls, the technology complements, not replaces, the existing Wi-Fi networks.

intel_wireless_ac_17265
Intel’s tri-band wireless-AC 17265 client card

The Intel wireless docking technology automatically pairs all WiGig-enabled devices with the WiGig dock and peripherals based on the proximity to the dock. As soon as the owner arrives at his/her desk, the device is wirelessly paired with all of the devices without messing with cords.

intel_wigig_w13100_wireless_gigabit_dock
Intel's wireless gigabit sink-M 13100 module

At present Intel offers its customers its tri-band wireless-AC 17265 client cards, wireless gigabit antenna-M 10041R antenna modules as well as wireless gigabit sink-M 13100 modules. PC makers and manufacturers of docking stations yet have to build solutions based on the products from Intel.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It remains to be seen how many “Skylake”-based systems will feature WiGig and wireless charging, keeping in mind that Intel rolls-out its WiGig solutions now and still has not unveiled anything featuring Rezence wireless charging tech…

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Toshiba puts NFC in SD cards for previewing photos https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/brendan-morgan/toshiba-puts-nfc-in-sd-cards-for-previewing-photos/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/brendan-morgan/toshiba-puts-nfc-in-sd-cards-for-previewing-photos/#respond Fri, 09 Jan 2015 01:03:56 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=229679 Toshiba revealed that it is planning to release SD cards featuring Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that will enable you to see what photos are on the card by touching it to your phone. This could make it much easier to go through a large collection of unlabelled SD cards to find the images you're looking for. …

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Toshiba revealed that it is planning to release SD cards featuring Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that will enable you to see what photos are on the card by touching it to your phone. This could make it much easier to go through a large collection of unlabelled SD cards to find the images you're looking for.

As it stands, the app to check your cards will only be available on Android phones and unfortunately, there is no way to wirelessly transfer the photos from the SD card using NFC; it can only be used to give you information about what is on the card. On top of this, you cannot actually see all the photos on the card, just 16 random photos to give you an idea of what's on there. No pricing or release date has yet been announced but it should only cost slightly more than an average SD card.
NFC SD card
The good news however for those of you who want to wirelessly view and transfer the contents of their SD cards, is that Toshiba has refreshed its FLASHAIR range of WiFi equipped SD cards. The new FlashAir III range can act as it's own WiFi access point and can support simultaneous access from up to seven devices. As well as accessing it locally with your devices, it can also connect directly to your router to enable you to upload images directly to the internet as you take them.

FlashAir apps to access the card are being released for Android and iPhone but any device with a web browser can access the SD card. Toshiba FlashAir III Wireless SD Cards will be available to purchase in March for $79.99 for 16GB and $99.99 for 32GB.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While having the ability to check the free space and photos on an SD card by touching it off your phone would be useful I don't think I would be willing to pay much more than usual for it. WiFi enabled SD cards however are pretty awesome and if my camera used SD cards I would be sure to buy one. Unfortunately my Canon 7D takes Compact Flash only, so I'm out of luck here.

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Samsung has developed 60GHz Wi-Fi tech to significantly increase speeds https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/matthew-wilson/samsung-has-developed-60ghz-wi-fi-tech-to-significantly-increase-speeds/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/matthew-wilson/samsung-has-developed-60ghz-wi-fi-tech-to-significantly-increase-speeds/#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2014 17:30:29 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=216549 Samsung claims to have developed a new Wi-Fi technology that takes advantage of the 60 Ghz wireless range to bridge the gap between theoretical and actual wireless speeds. Unlike existing 2.4 GHz and 5GHz technologies, Samsung's new 802.11ad standard 60 GHz Wi-Fi manages to maintain maximum speed by eliminating co-channel interference. The 2.4 GHz wireless …

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Samsung claims to have developed a new Wi-Fi technology that takes advantage of the 60 Ghz wireless range to bridge the gap between theoretical and actual wireless speeds. Unlike existing 2.4 GHz and 5GHz technologies, Samsung's new 802.11ad standard 60 GHz Wi-Fi manages to maintain maximum speed by eliminating co-channel interference.

The 2.4 GHz wireless range is currently the most used and can be greatly affected by interference from every day appliances, like microwaves. This is why when you look in to Wi-Fi, you'll end up hearing more about theoretical speeds than actual speeds. However, Samsung claims to have the solution, stating that 60 GHz Wi-Fi will bridge the gap between theoretical and actual speeds.

samsung-8201-820x420

The Korean device firm claims that this new technology will pave the way for speeds of up to 4.6 Gbps, in real world terms, that means a 1GB file could be transferred between devices in under three seconds.

Samsung managed to acheive this by integrating wide-coverage, beam-forming antenna in to Wi-Fi devices. The company also enhanced the overall signal quality by developing what it claims to be the world's first micro beam forming control technology, a design that allows the communications module to be optimized in 1/3000 seconds if there are any changes in the communications environment.

Samsung plans to make this technology available in a wide range of devices as early as next year.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Samsung's upcoming 60 Ghz WiFi technology could give data transmission quite the speed boost. For those of you with home networks set up, what max transfer speeds are you currently getting? 

Source: Samsung Tomorrow

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Qualcomm acquires Wilocity, set to support up to 7Gb/s WiGig in various devices https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/anton-shilov/qualcomm-acquires-wilocity-set-to-support-up-to-7gbs-wigig-in-various-devices/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/anton-shilov/qualcomm-acquires-wilocity-set-to-support-up-to-7gbs-wigig-in-various-devices/#respond Thu, 03 Jul 2014 03:57:13 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=201306 Qualcomm Inc. on Wednesday said that it has completed acquisition of Wilocity, a leading developer of chipsets supporting the WiGig technology with multi-gigabit transfer rates. The company also said that it will offer platforms for various devices that will support the 60GHz wireless tech based on the IEEE 802.11ad standard. The first mobile platform to support …

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Qualcomm Inc. on Wednesday said that it has completed acquisition of Wilocity, a leading developer of chipsets supporting the WiGig technology with multi-gigabit transfer rates. The company also said that it will offer platforms for various devices that will support the 60GHz wireless tech based on the IEEE 802.11ad standard. The first mobile platform to support the WiGig will be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810.

The WiGig technology (IEEE 802.11ad) allows devices to communicate at up to 7Gb/s data-rates using the 60GHz spectrum. Since 60GHz signals cannot penetrate walls, the technology really complements, not replaces, the existing Wi-Fi networks. It is expected that the WiGig  tech will enable close-range 4K video streaming, peer-to-peer content sharing, wireless docking, and backing up entire media libraries in seconds.

Thanks to the acquisition of Wilocity, tri-band Wi-Fi solutions from Qualcomm Atheros will integrate the multi-gigabit of 802.11ad operating in the 60GHz spectrum band along with 802.11ac that operates in the 5GHz band and 802.11b/g/n in the 2.4GHz band. In the longer-term future Qualcomm’s mobile communication platforms will support 3G/4G WWAN, 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO as well as 802.11ad WiGig technologies. The Snapdragon 810 platform (four ARM Cortex-A57, four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, Adreno 430 graphics, LPDDR4 memory controller, 2-stream 802.11ac with multi-user MIMO, Bluetooth 4.1, USB 3.0, NFC and so on) will be the world’s first mobile platform to support tri-band wireless presumably with the help of an external 802.11ad WiGig chip.

wilocity_wigig_card

“Combining multi-gigabit speeds and low energy use, WiGig technology will strengthen Qualcomm Atheros’ connectivity leadership and create exciting new experiences that will accelerate the commercialization and adoption of 802.11ad technology,” said Amir Faintuch, the president of Qualcomm Atheros. “Ultimately, the integration of WiGig will help Qualcomm fulfil its 1000x vision to densify the network to address increasing mobile data demand.”

Qualcomm Atheros has been an investor in Wilocity since 2008 and worked closely with Wilocity to develop and distribute tri-band solutions for the computing market since 2011.

The WiGig 802.11ad technology will also be supported by Intel Corp.’s next-generation notebook/2-in-1 platform based on the code-named “Skylake” microprocessors.

Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It remains to be seen how quick the adoption of the WiGig technology by consumer electronics manufacturers will be. Qualcomm and Intel will offer 802.11ad-supporting platforms already in 2015, but it will take some time before the tech becomes mainstream. The WiGig could revolutionize the market of many applications, but its adoption will depend on the price the makers will charge for it.

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Qualcomm looking forward to triple Wi-Fi speeds https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/anton-shilov/qualcomm-looking-forward-to-triple-wi-fi-speeds/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/anton-shilov/qualcomm-looking-forward-to-triple-wi-fi-speeds/#respond Wed, 09 Apr 2014 10:24:05 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=186717 Qualcomm has announced its new family of Wi-Fi chips that could improve performance of wireless local area networks by several times. The new Qualcomm Atheros Vive chips (and select Snapdragon application processors) for routers, gateways as well as client devices support multi-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi with multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology that can triple or even quadruple …

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Qualcomm has announced its new family of Wi-Fi chips that could improve performance of wireless local area networks by several times. The new Qualcomm Atheros Vive chips (and select Snapdragon application processors) for routers, gateways as well as client devices support multi-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi with multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology that can triple or even quadruple actual Wi-Fi speeds compared to today’s.

With standard Wi-Fi, clients are served in sequence; during the time, only one device is sending and receiving information, hence, network capacity is being used only partly. The accumulation of these sequences creates a drop in throughput and capacity as more clients join the network. This situation can be further worsened as more devices stream high-definition video. Qualcomm’s wireless network chips with support of three- and four-stream connectivity and MU-MIMO enables concurrent transmission to groups of clients, making more efficient use of available Wi-Fi network capacity as well as speeding up communications.

qualcomm_wifi_80211_mu_mimo_1

“Great connectivity is not just about increasing the absolute speed,” said Dan Rabinovitsj, senior vice president of Qualcomm Atheros. It is about making better use of network and airtime efficiency to support the growing number of connected devices, services and applications.”

Qualcomm’s MU-MIMO algorithms require sophisticated computing capabilities to manage complexities of simultaneous connections of multiple devices. The technology can dynamically adjust to changes in channel conditions, device movement and application requirements to maximize performance and ensure better connections in multi-user environments.

qualcomm_wifi_80211_mu_mimo_2

“After seven years of MU-MIMO development and testing, we have gained a deep understanding of real-world channel behavior with this advanced Wi-Fi technology in crowded environments,” added Mr. Rabinovitsj. “These insights have led to the creation of our precision-based algorithm technology that, along with technologies like the Qualcomm Internet Processor and StreamBoost, maximizes Wi-Fi performance for all connected devices.”

qualcomm_wifi_80211_mu_mimo_3

Qualcomm’s Vive 802.11ac chips featuring multi-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi with multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology support transmissions via up to four streams and with up to 80MHz channels, thus providing maximum bandwidth of up to 1.73Gb/s. Not all solutions can enable maximum bandwidth, but the benefits of MU-MIMO architecture should improve quality of user experience rather significantly in general.

qualcomm_wifi_80211_mu_mimo

To get substantial benefits of Qualcomm’s Vive 802.11ac chips featuring multi-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi with multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology, it should be supported by both clients as well as access points, routers, gateways, etc. Qualcomm Atheros has introduced a complete family of solutions for networking products, as well as smartphones, tablets, personal computers, consumer electronics and automobiles that support the latest technology.

Actual products featuring Qualcomm’s Vive 802.11ac chips featuring multi-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi with multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) are expected to emerge in early 2015. Since it will take some time before the new chips become widely adopted, the Wi-Fi networks will only actually get better in several years from now.

KitGuru Says: Keeping in mind that 802.11ac technology theoretically can support transmission of four data streams over 160MHz channels with MU-MIMO, the new Qualcomm wireless solutions will not offer maximum what the 802.11ac can. Therefore, expect more innovations in this space from Qualcomm and its rivals.

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Nintendo to close DS, Wii online in May https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/jon-martindale/nintendo-to-close-ds-wii-online-in-may/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/jon-martindale/nintendo-to-close-ds-wii-online-in-may/#comments Thu, 27 Feb 2014 08:47:11 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=179447 Update: This has now been extended to the US as well. No word on European shut down, but presumably that will be around the same time or not long after. Original story: If you live in Japan or Australia and your favourite game on the Wii is an online one, you'll want to get in …

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Update: This has now been extended to the US as well. No word on European shut down, but presumably that will be around the same time or not long after.

Original story: If you live in Japan or Australia and your favourite game on the Wii is an online one, you'll want to get in as much playtime over the next couple of months as you can, as from the end of May, you'll no longer be able to get online to play it. On 20th May, Nintendo is shutting down the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection service for the Wii, DS and DSi, as well as tearing down all matchmaking and leaderboard functions.

That doesn't mean you won't be able to go online with your console at all, as the Shop Channel and DSi Shop will be unaffected, but games will be. Perhaps it's testament to how locally focused Nintendo was with the Wii, but the list of games you won't be able to play online on the home console, isn't that extensive:

  • Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City
  • Battalion Wars 2
  • Boom Street
  • Endless Ocean
  • Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep
  • Mario Kart Wii
  • Mario Sports Mix
  • Mario Strikers Charged Football
  • Pokémon Battle Revolution
  • Samurai Warriors 3
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl
  • The Last Story
  • Trauma Center New Blood

nintendowifi
Say goodbye to the slowest internet connected device in your home

There's also a few WiiWare titles, including Dr Mario & Germ Buster and Excitebike World Challenge, among others. The list of DS and DSi affected games however, is much longer. It includes all of the recent Pokemon games, as well as a number of Professor Layton puzzle titles. For a full list, check out the Nintendo breakdown here.

The only caveat to this whole thing, is that it's not clear if this is something that's just affecting Japanese and Australian markets, which are the only two local Nintendo sites featuring the news, or the rest of the world as well.

KitGuru Says: It seems a little soon to be shutting down all of the Wii's online gaming functions, especially since a replacement Smash Bros hasn't been released yet. However, this could be a bit of an overt marketing move to get people to switch to the Wii U. That or Nintendo online services are a ghost town. 

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Aria stocking TP Link Wi-Fi extender https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/wireless/jon-martindale/aria-stocking-tp-link-wi-fi-extender/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/wireless/jon-martindale/aria-stocking-tp-link-wi-fi-extender/#respond Mon, 02 Sep 2013 11:35:38 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=150487 Listen up poor Wi-Fi-reception-home-owners, Aria is here to save the day. It's got some new stock of TP Link 150MBps Wi-Fi extenders, but there's only a handful available so grab one while you can. It's a simple plug-in adapter, that sits near flush with the wall, keeps everything neat and looks like something out of …

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Listen up poor Wi-Fi-reception-home-owners, Aria is here to save the day. It's got some new stock of TP Link 150MBps Wi-Fi extenders, but there's only a handful available so grab one while you can.

It's a simple plug-in adapter, that sits near flush with the wall, keeps everything neat and looks like something out of a Wall-E sequel… about WiFi. It supports up to 150MBps wireless N speeds and can extend the range of the network or simply amplify it locally, eliminating dead zones in your humble abode.

tplink

What's that you say? Your laptop is so old that it doesn't have a built in wireless adapter and you didn't already buy one for £3 on Ebay? Well, this TP Link product can come in handy once again. With its built in ethernet port, you can just plug it into whatever device is lacking internet access and turn it into a Wireless enabled bit of tech.

At just £15 these are probably going to go pretty fast, but don't think about ordering up all seven (remaining stock at time of writing) at once, as they're limited to one per order.

KitGuru Says: My last house needed one of these so badly. Fortunately, my new one is much more WiFi friendly, even if the walls aren't so soundproof anymore. 

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Tenda W300M Wireless N300 Portable AP/Router Review https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/routers/luke-hill/tenda-w300m-wireless-n300-portable-aprouter-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/routers/luke-hill/tenda-w300m-wireless-n300-portable-aprouter-review/#respond Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:11:41 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=127562 Wireless networks in hotels and other locations are becoming commonplace, but that doesn't mean that they are cheap to use, reliable or secure. Tenda's W300M portable access point/router aims to solve those problems by converting the more secure port-based internet connection to a personalised wireless network. If you haven't experienced the irritation of booking into a …

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Wireless networks in hotels and other locations are becoming commonplace, but that doesn't mean that they are cheap to use, reliable or secure. Tenda's W300M portable access point/router aims to solve those problems by converting the more secure port-based internet connection to a personalised wireless network.

If you haven't experienced the irritation of booking into a hotel room or arriving at a new destination only to find out that your internet tablet, mobile phone and laptop are all rendered ineffective by the location's solitary wired internet connection or awful wireless signal, then you are a lucky person. Tenda has recognised this problem and designed an irritation-removing device which has the ability to convert a single Ethernet port into a 300Mbps Wireless-N network.

While wired port conversion is the W300M's headline function, it isn't the only task that it is capable of carrying out. The repeater/extender mode allows a weak network signal to be boosted, providing an easy-to-access connection for wireless devices with less powerful adapters, or even wired computers.

With five convenient operating modes and a hassle-free form factor, can Tenda's W300M prove that it is a must have, headache-curing device for frequent travellers or users with network problems?

Specifications:

  • Standards: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n; IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u
  • Interface: 1*10/100M LAN/WAN (interchangeable) port
  • Antenna: Internal high performance, omni-directional antenna
  • Wireless speed: 300Mbps
  • Wireless frequency: 2.4GHz
  • Wireless modes: 11 b/g/n mixed, 11 b/g mixed, 11g, 11b
  • Security: Content control, 64-/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
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Tenda N60 Wireless N600 Concurrent Dual Band Gigabit Router Review https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/routers/luke-hill/tenda-n60-wireless-n600-concurrent-dual-band-gigabit-router-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/routers/luke-hill/tenda-n60-wireless-n600-concurrent-dual-band-gigabit-router-review/#comments Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:38:05 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=127559 Having a router which is capable of feeding the increasing number of bandwidth-heavy devices in one's house is as important today as it has been at any other time in history. Does Tenda's dual band, 600Mbps N60 router have the performance to feed the onslaught of bandwidth-sapping devices? With the N60, Tenda aims to offer …

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Having a router which is capable of feeding the increasing number of bandwidth-heavy devices in one's house is as important today as it has been at any other time in history. Does Tenda's dual band, 600Mbps N60 router have the performance to feed the onslaught of bandwidth-sapping devices?

With the N60, Tenda aims to offer an affordable router which uses dual frequency bands to network the home with minimal interference. The N60 utilises Wireless-N technology to offer connection speeds of up to 300Mbps on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency ranges. A multi-function USB 2 port and quartet of Gigabit Ethernet ports are also found on the N60 router.

Designed to provide interference-free multimedia streaming, on-line gaming and high-capacity file transfers, can the Tenda N60 dual band router prove it is capable of being the core of a modern wireless network?

Specifications:

  • Standards: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n; IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3ab.
  • Interface: 1*10/100M LAN/WAN (interchangeable) port.
  • Antenna: Internal high performance, omni-directional antenna.
  • Wireless speed: 300Mbps (2.4GHz) + 300Mbps (5GHz).
  • Wireless frequency: 2.4GHz & 5GHz.
  • Security: Content control, WEP, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, WPA/WPA2, WPS fast encryption.
  • Dimensions (LxWxH) (mm): 171.6mm x 111.2mm x 25.5mm.
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Wi-Fi at seven Gbps coming soon https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/jon-martindale/wi-fi-at-seven-gbps-coming-soon/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/networking/jon-martindale/wi-fi-at-seven-gbps-coming-soon/#respond Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:48:10 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=100957 Wi-Fi that can operate at up to seven gigabits per second could be just around the corner, as chipset firms Marvell and Wilocity have announced a partnership to develop the new high speed wireless technology. The standard, known as IEEE 802.11ad operates in the 60Ghz band and was originally created by the Wireless Gigabit Alliance …

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Wi-Fi that can operate at up to seven gigabits per second could be just around the corner, as chipset firms Marvell and Wilocity have announced a partnership to develop the new high speed wireless technology.

The standard, known as IEEE 802.11ad operates in the 60Ghz band and was originally created by the Wireless Gigabit Alliance in 2009, designed to offer near instantaneous wireless transfers. To put it into context, current generation 802.11n Wi-Fi operates at 600 megabits per second, which works out to around 70 megabytes per second in an ideal scenario. 802.11ad allows for 7 gigabits per second, which equates to 900 megabytes per second.

WiGig
Source: WiGig

“60GHz wireless is an exciting in-room multi-gigabit Wi-Fi technology that enhances end users’ wireless experience and has the potential to eliminate more wires from consumers’ homes,” said director of technology strategy at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc, Sameer Bidichandani. “We look forward to collaborating with Wilocity to deliver cutting-edge WiGig products to the market that maintain compatibility with hundreds of millions of existing Wi-Fi devices.”

Of course Marvell couldn't be the only ones to comment, Wilocity pushed someone out front to say a few words too:

“We are honored to be teaming with an industry leader like Marvell to accelerate the momentum of 60GHz in the market,” said Dror Meiri, vice president of business development for Wilocity. “Together we will continue to lead the way to set new standards in truly wireless and ultra high-speed wireless connectivity and display solutions.”

The first chips supporting this new standard are set for a 2013 release and will enable wireless docking and low latency wireless connections between displays.

KitGuru: Interestingly, a technology like this has the potential to bring back face to face file sharing. We're not trading disks anymore, but if a friend can send another friend a movie over a short distance in a couple of seconds, that'd be a lot easier than sorting out torrent software for the uninitiated.

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US of A begins converting phone boxes to hotspots https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/harrison/us-of-a-begins-converting-phone-boxes-to-hotspots/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/harrison/us-of-a-begins-converting-phone-boxes-to-hotspots/#respond Sat, 14 Jul 2012 07:05:30 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=99953 In cities across the globe, public phone boxes are cultural icons. From the classic 1929 Mackenzie Trench design (which Dr Who uses to jaunt around the universe) to the iconic red boxes seen across London, we have been used to seeing them everywhere. But what happens when we no longer use them? The city of …

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In cities across the globe, public phone boxes are cultural icons. From the classic 1929 Mackenzie Trench design (which Dr Who uses to jaunt around the universe) to the iconic red boxes seen across London, we have been used to seeing them everywhere. But what happens when we no longer use them?

The city of New York is in the process of converting old phone booths into high-speed, wireless hotspots.

With ultra-fast broadband on offer, citizens and visitors alike will be able to enjoy 24×7 surfing with, apparently, no data usage limits.

Strong line-of-site connectivity means that the newly routed booths should be able to cater for a lot of customers at distances of up to 200 feet (approx 60 metres). Possibly less if you're an awkward customer and insist on walking around corners etc.

Right now, this is a pilot programme, but the city that likes to consider itself the ‘Rome of the modern world' is interested in re-inventing itself in new and unique ways, and this seems like as good an ideas as any.

The city's hierarchy has done its homework and research shows that ‘a completely connected city' was high on the list off ‘want to haves' for many New Yorkers (although its entirely possible that if the info was gathered from patrons munching cheesecake outside cafes – then the data may have been skewed slightly).

“One of the most frequent requests from New Yorkers is for more public WiFi in public spaces,” said Chief Digital Officer Rachel Sterne. “Under Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership, today the City provides free WiFi access in a wide range of public spaces, including every library branch and more than 40 parks across the five boroughs. With this exciting WiFi pilot of New York City payphone kiosks, we are proud to take another step to connect more New Yorkers”.

From what we can tell, New York's hotspots will be cleaner and more useful than London's booths

KitGuru says: Great idea. We love it. But if the booths are filled with electronics, then how will the exotic massage industry publicise its most prolific workers?

Comment below or in the KitGuru forums.

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Windows 8 to provide native mobile networking https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/stephen-dougherty/windows-8-to-provide-native-mobile-networking/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/stephen-dougherty/windows-8-to-provide-native-mobile-networking/#respond Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:23:20 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=75903 One of MSDN's most recent blogs goes into detail about Microsoft's efforts to vastly improve wireless connectivity in Windows 8 to the point of even providing native connectivity support for 3G and 4G networking. As it stands now, specialized applications from hardware providers are required for mobile connectivity. The idea of Windows 8 being able …

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One of MSDN's most recent blogs goes into detail about Microsoft's efforts to vastly improve wireless connectivity in Windows 8 to the point of even providing native connectivity support for 3G and 4G networking.

As it stands now, specialized applications from hardware providers are required for mobile connectivity. The idea of Windows 8 being able to handle everything on its own (including built-in data activation and usage tools) would make for much more simplified and seamless connectivity.

I can see many other positives of going this route as well, one of which would make Windows 8 intelligent enough to automatically disable the mobile connection when a recognized WiFi network is within range.

Check out the video below for a demonstration on how it's all coming along.

Kitguru says: Yet another sign to suggest Microsoft's best OS ever is on the horizon?

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Google hand out free inflight Wi-Fi to travelers https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jules/google-hand-out-free-inflight-wi-fi-to-travelers/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jules/google-hand-out-free-inflight-wi-fi-to-travelers/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:34:02 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=22595 Google said yesterday that it was working with three airlines to give holiday travelers free in flight wifi. GoGo's broadband service is normally a strictly pay only option at $11 for 24 hours, but Google are giving it away free with domestic flights in Delta, Virgin America and AirTran. This promotion starts on November 20th …

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Google said yesterday that it was working with three airlines to give holiday travelers free in flight wifi.

GoGo's broadband service is normally a strictly pay only option at $11 for 24 hours, but Google are giving it away free with domestic flights in Delta, Virgin America and AirTran. This promotion starts on November 20th and ends January 2nd 2011.

Google's Chrome browser team are sponsoring the giveaway however you don't need to use Chrome to access the service. This promotion is said to be giving the service free to 15 million travelers during the holiday season and they did the same thing last year.

Google have strong ties with Virgin America, helped by the airlines official shift from Microsoft Exchange to Gmail, which saved them a lot of money over a year. Virgin America expect all 1,700 employees to be using Gmail before the end of the month.

KitGuru says: Free Wi-Fi should be offered to all passengers inside terminal points anyway, as part of the ticket price.

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