Both kits boast easy setup: one plug adapter slots into the wall near your router, hooking up via an ethernet cable to spare socket, while the other adapter goes next to your PC, A/V rack or whatever other device you want to get online. 128-bit security is offered between each adapter, and there’s no software to install.

As for the Linksys PLW400 Powerline AV 1-Port Wireless Extender, that will drop in March and offer a way to create a distant WiFi b/g/n bubble somewhere in your Powerline network. It will be priced at $119.99, while the AV 1-Port (PLEK400) and AV 4-Port (PLSK400) are $99.99 and $119.99 respectively.

The router has a faster processor inside for speedier downloads from a USB connected storage device. It also has better access speeds to devices on the network using the 2.4GHz band with 450mbps access. The 5GHz band offers the same 450Mbps access. This means that streaming HD video around the network will be smoother and faster no matter the band you are on.

The new CPU is a 1.2GHz unit. One of the big new features is app access from a mobile device, including the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch as well as Android devices using an app. The app is called Cisco Connect Express. You can log into the admin area of the router using the mobile app to change settings on the network when needed. The new router is available now for $199.99.

The bridge supports WiFi a/b/g/n and has a trio of antennas inside its black plastic chassis. All the usual encryption types are offered, along with WPS for easier setup, and Linksys is pretty keen on its quality-of-service software which promises stutter-free HD video.

If all that sounds alluring then the Linksys WES610N is available now, priced at $129.99. The company also offers a different version, the WET610N, which has the same wireless connectivity but offers only a single 10/100 ethernet port; you lose on sockets, but you save $30.

The E3200 and E2500 both support simultaneous 2.4/5.0 GHz use as well, with the E3200 having 2×3 and the E2500 having 2×2 antennas. Only the E3200 gets gigabit ethernet and a USB port; the E2500 makes do with four 10/100 ports. The E1500 and E1200 bring up the rear, finally, with single 2.4GHz support and four 10/100 ethernet. Full specs in the gallery below.

Prices of the switches, meanwhile, range from $29.99 to $74.99. The cheapest is the SE1500, with five 10/100 ports, while the SE2500 has five gigabit ports and the SE2800 has eight gigabit ports. Again, specs in the gallery below. All new models are available from today.

Press Release:

Cisco Announces Next-Generation Linksys Wireless Routers and Switches

Home Wireless Leader Unveils Sleek New Design with Unmatched Performance for Premium Video, Gaming, and Entertainment Experiences

San Francisco, CA April 5, 2011 – Cisco® today continued its legacy of leadership in home networking with the launch of its new Linksys® E-Series family − a complete suite of powerful and easy-to-use next-generation wireless-n routers and switches. With sales of wireless-enabled products such as tablets and game consoles steadily growing and Internet video usage exploding, consumers are seeking greater performance, reliability and simplicity from their home wireless networks. The new Linksys wireless–n routers and switches, available today, offer a complete range of options that set a new standard for speed, range, and ease-of-use, while also sporting a visually-appealing new design.

The new Linksys E-Series lineup includes five routers, each with the latest technology in home wireless for a multitude of home entertainment experiences. The new routers not only provide the performance needed for today’s connected home, but also help to future-proof for new and emerging media technologies that are gaining traction with consumers, such as Internet-enabled TVs and Cisco’s ūmi telepresence. Designed with faster speeds (up to 450 Mbps*), other key features for select routers in the line include a 3×3 spatial stream configuration for improved coverage, external power amplifiers to maintain signal strength over a greater distance and reduce dead spots, and virtual USB technology** to connect USB printers, storage and devices to the network. The full line also boasts a new industrial design that combines sleek contours and advanced functionality − recently earning the prestigious 2011 Red Dot Product Design Award for product design, innovation and quality.

“With more than 70 million routers sold, Linksys brings a decade of leadership and innovation to create products that consumers trust for the best wireless quality, performance and experience,” said Simon Fleming-Wood, vice president of marketing, Cisco Consumer Products. “Our new Linksys line offers an array of solutions for the needs of today’s home networking consumer – from basic Internet surfing to video and music streaming, to gaming.”
According to industry research group IDC, only 39% of US homes have wireless, while only 11% are using wireless-n technology. Over the next five years wireless-n adoption is expected to nearly double due to the growth of wireless connected devices such as tablets, smartphones, and Internet-enabled TVs that require the latest wireless technology for optimal performance. (IDC, Worldwide Home Networking 2010-2014 Forecast Update, Doc.# 225479, Nov. 2010)

Cisco Connect Software Enables Easy Setup and Network Management
Each of the Linksys E-series routers include the acclaimed Cisco Connect software that makes it easy for consumers to set up and manage their wireless home network effortlessly. Unlike other wireless products that require 20 to 30 complicated steps to set up a single computer, Cisco Connect takes you through three simple steps from start to finish. The included Cisco Connect software makes it easy to: 1) add additional devices to the network, 2) set parental controls, 3) provide Internet access for guests on a separate guest network and 4) customize personal security settings such as passwords. Advanced users can also configure and manage their routers via the web browser.

The new routers feature the latest version of Cisco Connect, which now includes an Internet Speed Test that can check the bandwidth and speed of a user’s Internet connection.

New Switches Enable Easy Network Expansion and Power Saving Modes
The three new Linksys switches enable faster and simpler wired connections. New features include plug and play of Ethernet-enabled devices, Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization, auto-sensing ports, and power saving features.

Pricing and Availability
There are eight new products in the Linksys family — five routers and three switches. The suggested retail prices for the routers range from $59.99 to $179.99. Prices of the switches range from $29.99 to $74.99. The full line of Linksys routers and switches are available starting today at retailers nationwide or by visiting the Linksys website at www.linksys.com/store.

Linksys SE1500 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch
• Instantly add up to 5 office and entertainment devices to expand your home network without any configuration required.
o Performance:
• 5 Ethernet ports allow you to connect multiple devices with optimum speed.
• Wired connection speed up to 100 Mbps
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports.
o Features:
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology delivers high performance allowing smooth video streaming and gaming.
• Auto-sensing ports automatically optimize speed for each connected device.
• LED status lights on each port
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $29.99 MSRP.

Linksys SE2500 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• Instantly add up to 5 office and entertainment devices such as HDTV’s, game consoles, media players, and more with the benefits of Gigabit speeds and without any configuration required.
o Performance:
• 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports allow you to connect multiple devices with improved speed up to 10x faster than standard Ethernet.
• Wired connection speed up to 1000 Mbps
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports.
o Features:
• Auto-sensing ports automatically optimize speed for each connected device.
• LED status lights on each port controlled by port status switch.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology delivers high performance allowing smooth video streaming and gaming.
• Cable connect detection automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Smart Power technology automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports or go into sleep mode if all ports are inactive.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $54.99 MSRP.

Linksys SE2800 Switches 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• Instantly add up to 8 office and entertainment devices with the benefits of Gigabit speed to maximize gaming, video streaming, and file and media sharing- all without any configuration required.
o Performance:
• 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports improve speed up to 10x faster than standard Ethernet perfect for quick file and media sharing between Gigabit devices.
• Wired connection speed up to 1000 Mbps
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports.
o Features:
• Auto-sensing ports automatically optimize speed for each connected device.
• LED status lights on each port controlled by port status switch.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology delivers high performance allowing smooth video streaming and gaming.
• Cable connect detection automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Smart Power technology automatically calibrates the minimum amount of power necessary while maintaining performance according to your cable length.
• Cable connect detection saves power by automatically powering down any unused ports or go into sleep mode if all ports are inactive.
o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $74.99 MSRP.

Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router

The E4200 is the highest performing router on the market for the home that is ideal for the most intensive and busiest of home networking. The E4200 is ideal for high bandwidth devices such as Internet enabled TV s and game consoles. While also incorporate VoIP devices, smart phones, VoIP devices, multiple computers, e-readers, iPads, portable game stations, and much more. This router is the highest performing and best equipped to handle a home network that does it all.
• E4200 has:
o Performance:
• Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps* (2.4) and up to 450 Mbps* (5.0)
• Equipped with off-chip High Power amplifiers in 2.4 and 5.0 bands
• 4 Gigabit ports
• 6 antennas for maximum range
• 3X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration on the 5.0 GHz band for ideal performance for streaming HD videos, gaming and voice

o Features:
• Quality of Service for prioritizing bandwidth for movies, voice or music
• UPNP server for adding on storage to serve your internet enabled TVs or media server PCs
• Virtual USB port for easily adding storage and printers
• Supports latest IPV6 protocol via a free firmware download planned for late April.
• New design – winner of 2011 Red Dot Product Design Award

o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.

o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $179.99 MSRP.

Linksys E3200 High Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router

The E3200 is a powerful home wireless-n Dual Band router optimized for video, music, and multiplayer gaming.
• E3200 Highlights:
o Performance:
• Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps* (2.4) and up to 300 Mbps* (5.0 GHz)
• Equipped with off-chip High Power amplifiers in 2.4 and 5.0 bands
• 6 antennas for maximum range
• 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for quick file sharing
• Virtual USB port for easily adding storage, printers, and other devices
• 2X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration ideal for printing wirelessly, connecting to multiple devices, transferring and downloading large files, and streaming multimedia and gaming.

o Features:
• Dual-band designed to avoid interference and maximize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming, file transfers, and wireless gaming.
• Connect computers, internet-ready TV’s, game consoles, media players and more to your network.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology allows for efficient time-sensitive trafficking allowing fast downloads, smooth video and music streaming, gaming, and VoIP.
• Virtual USB port for easily adding storage and printers
• IPV6 Support is planned to be available by fall via free firmware download.
• New design

o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.

o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $149.99 MSRP.

Linksys E2500 Advanced Dual-Band Wireless-N Router

The E2500 is a powerful wireless-n Dual-Band router at $99 that is ideal for larger homes and offices and allows you double the capacity for surfing the Internet, streaming multimedia, and running applications simultaneously.

• E2500 has:
o Performance:
• Dual Band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz)
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps* (2.4) and up to 300 Mbps* (5.0 GHz)
• Equipped with on-chip amplifiers in 2.4 and 5.0 bands
• 4 antennas for increased range
• 2X2 internal MIMO special stream configuration ideal for printing wirelessly, connecting to multiple devices, transferring and downloading large files, and streaming multimedia and gaming.
o Features:
• Dual-band designed to avoid interference and maximize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming, file transfers, and wireless gaming.
• Connect computers, internet-ready TV’s, game consoles, media players and more.
• Quality of Service traffic prioritizing technology allows for efficient time-sensitive trafficking allowing fast downloads, smooth video and music streaming, gaming, and VoIP.
• IPV6 Support is planned to be available by fall via free firmware download.
• New design

o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.

o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $99.99 MSRP.

Linksys E1500 Wireless-N Router with SpeedBoost

The E1500 is a powerful home wireless-n router that will connect you in minutes with optimal speed and coverage. It is ideal for moderate-sized homes and the SpeedBoost technology promotes strong signal strength over greater distances for surfing the web, emailing, printing wirelessly, transferring and downloading large files, and connecting to multiple devices. Users will also experience speed and reliability while being protected with features like guest access and parental controls.

• E1500 has:
o Performance:
• 2.4 GHz band
• High speed up to 300 Mbps*
• Equipped with off-chip amplifiers
• 3 internal antennas
• 4 Ethernet ports
• 2X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration

o Features:
• IPV6 Support is planned to be available by fall via free firmware download.
• New design

o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.

o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $79.99 MSRP.

Linksys E1200 Wireless-N Router

• The E1200 is a powerful wireless-n router for the home that allows for dependable everyday activity performance. With its fast speed and reliable wireless coverage, it is ideal for standard sized homes, apartments, and dorms. With Cisco Connect software users can easily connect to multiple devices, manage kids internet access with parental controls ad provide simple guest access.

E1200 has:
o Performance:
• 802.11n 2.4 GHz band
• Maximum performance up to 300 Mbps*
• Equipped with on-chip amplifiers
• 2 internal antennas with MIMO technology to promote broad coverage
• 2X2 internal MIMO special stream configuration ideal for surfing the web, emailing, printing wirelessly, and connecting to multiple devices.

o Features:
• New next generation home networking design
• Support for IPV6 is planned to be available by fall.

o Software:
• Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and SPI Firewall
• Cisco Connect software for enabling three step setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) plus optional advanced settings.

o Available:
• Starting at all major retail and online etailers on April 5
• $59.99 MSRP.

There’s also a USB port for hooking up external storage or a printer and sharing that with the network, together with an on-board UPnP server for streamed music. Come the spring, Cisco expect to add IPv6 support to the E4200 too.

The Linksys E4200 is available now from Best Buy and Linksys direct, priced at $179.99; it’ll be available through other channels later in the year. All well and good, but with the number of network-ready devices proliferating, when are we going to see a home router with more than just four gigabit ethernet ports?

Press Release:

Cisco Supercharges Home Networking with New Linksys Maximum Performance Wireless Router

New Linksys E4200 Dual-Band Router with Innovative Design Gives Consumers the Speed and Range for the Ultimate Wireless Entertainment Experience

San Francisco, CA – Cisco today unveiled its best-in-class wireless home router – the Linksys® E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router. Designed for optimum home theater performance, the E4200 works seamlessly with the latest entertainment devices, including Internet TVs, iPad tablets, game consoles, smart phones, e-readers, and VoIP devices. This new router not only helps boost performance and range in the home, it provides industry-leading speed of up to 450 Mbps* for smooth streaming of video and music and uninterrupted gaming.

Building on the decade of leadership and innovation from Linksys, this latest state of the art router features simultaneous dual-band wireless-N, four gigabit ports, and a 3×3 antenna configuration that help give it unparalleled speed and range. Additionally, a combination of internal and external amplifiers coupled with six antennas help increase the signal strength across greater distances, providing improved home network coverage and reducing dead spots. The E4200 also features a next-generation industrial design that combines sleek contours with advanced functionality.

“Cisco’s Linksys line continues to lead the industry with innovative technology for the growing number of wireless-enabled homes”, said Simon Fleming-Wood, vice president of marketing, Cisco Consumer Products. “The new Linksys E4200 router is ideal for home entertainment enthusiasts who want to equip their homes with the latest wireless technology or anyone who wants the reassurance of outfitting their home with the best router on the market today.”
The research firm, IDC reports that worldwide shipments of wireless-N routers are expected to grow 158% from 2010 – 2014 and the number of household with multimedia networks will grow 103% over the same time period. (IDC, Worldwide Home Networking 2010-2014 Forecast Update, Doc.# 225479, Nov. 2010) These growth projections emphasize the need for high performance routers like the Linksys E4200 that will provide the speed and range connectivity throughout the home.

New Features for Storage, Sharing, and Simple Setup
The E4200’s new USB feature makes it easy to add external storage to the network and since it is an UPnP Media server as well, consumers can easily store, share and stream movies, music and games to other devices around the home. The USB port also has plans for converting to a Virtual USB port which will also enable printers to easily connect to the network so all users in the home can print wirelessly. The included Cisco Connect software continues to provide simple three-step setup and network management tools such as parental controls and guest access.

Product Details
Performance:
· Maximum performance of up to 300 Mbps (2.4) and up to 450 Mbps (5.0GHz)*
· Simultaneous dual-band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) with four 10/100/100 gigabit ports
· 3X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration on the 5.0 Ghz band for ideal performance for streaming HD videos, gaming and voice
· Internal and external amplifiers for maximum speed at greater distances for added in-home mobility
· Six antennas for maximum range

Features:
· Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing bandwidth for movies, voice or music
· UPnP media server for adding on storage to serve your Internet-enabled TVs or media server PCs
· USB port for easily adding external storage drives
· New design

Software:
· Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) Firewall
· Plans to support IPv6 in the spring
· Cisco Connect software for enabling simple setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) and optional advanced settings

Pricing and Availability:
The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router is immediately available for an MSRP of $179.99 at Best Buy, Best Buy.com and the Linksys store at http://homestore.cisco.com. The E4200 will roll out to other retail and online retailers over the next few months.

For more information about Linksys and the E4200, please visit: http://home.cisco.com/4200

A workaround for the problem has been devised by enterprising owners, though it’s somewhat convoluted. Basically, by setting a dummy DNS address for the Media Extender, you can fool it into reconnecting without calling into the offline update server first.

According to reports from TheGreenButton, Linksys support is aware of the problem and the company’s engineers are working on a fix. However there’s no timescale for its roll-out, and it’s unclear whether it will involve reflashing the Media Extender to remove its reliance on the update server, or simply pester Microsoft to turn the systems back on.

[via ZDNet]

The consultancy consists of 35 people, and it looks like they’ll be mostly involved with Cisco’s consumer ranges.  That means more work on Flip as well as likely having a hand in future Linksys brand networking equipment.  The company also have a wireless media system, though its fallen into the background in the face of competition from Sonos and Logitech’s Squeezebox line.

Cisco aren’t confirming how much they spent to acquire MOTO, but it’s expected to be finalised by Q4 of the company’s 2010 financial year.  At that point the MOTO team will become part of the Cisco Consumer Products team led by Kaplan.

Press Release:

Cisco Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire MOTO

SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 18, 2010 – Cisco today announced its intent to acquire privately held MOTO Development Group, a design consulting firm that develops products and product strategies for the consumer industry. Based in San Francisco, MOTO’s talent base will complement Cisco’s and enable Cisco to rapidly enhance its consumer product development road map.

“Consumers have embraced our Flip VideoTM, ValetTM and Linksys® product lines because they deliver on the promise of making video and home networking simple, affordable and fun,” said Jonathan Kaplan, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco® Consumer Products. “MOTO’s design and engineering teams have deep consumer expertise that will accelerate our ability to continue to deliver great products and expand Cisco’s consumer business.”

MOTO brings to Cisco an accomplished team of more than 35 consultants with a proven track record in the consumer product industry. The MOTO team has been instrumental in the development of innovative products from startups to Fortune 500 companies, including Cisco’s industry-leading Flip video product family. MOTO’s multidisciplinary team drives innovation across the product life cycle to create engaging products and consumer experiences.

MOTO’s philosophy directly aligns with Cisco’s consumer strategy to use devices, software and the network to deliver transformational product experiences that delight consumers. As the consumer market evolves, Cisco will continue to focus on helping people live a connected life that is more personal, more social and more visual. Like the acquisition of Pure Digital in 2009, the acquisition of MOTO is another step toward embedding consumer design and ease of use into Cisco products for the consumer market.

Financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed. The acquisition is subject to various standard closing conditions and is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2010. Upon the closing of the acquisition, MOTO employees will become part of the Cisco Consumer Products team led by Kaplan.

Video demos after the cut

Both Valet routers have 2.4GHz 802.11n WiFi, with the Valet getting four 10/100 ethernet ports and the Valet Plus upgrading those to four gigabit ethernet ports.  The latter also promises increased wireless range over its entry-level sibling.  They’re available now, priced at $99.99 for the Valet and $149.99 for the Valet Plus; there’s also a $79.99 Valet Connector USB WiFi stick if your computer lacks integrated WiFi.

As for the Linksys E-Series, that’s an altogether more serious range, eschewing the Valet’s powder-blue colors for a more sober glossy black and blue scheme.  Four models are in the new line-up, kicking off with the basic E1000 ($79.99) with 2.4GHz WiFi-N and four 10/100 ethernet ports.  The E2000 ($119.99) and E3000 ($179.99) have 2.4GHz/5GHz (simultaneous use on the E3000) together with four gigabit ethernet ports; the E3000 also throws in UPnP media server functionality and triple the number of internal antennas for increased range.

Finally, the E2100L ($119.99) is Linksys’ enthusiast router, running a hackable Linux-based OS and having two external, detachable antennas.  It’s only 2.4GHz and has 10/100 ethernet ports, however, though there is a USB port for plugging in storage.  All the Linksys E-Series routers are available now.

Cisco Valet demo video:

Linksys E3000 demo video:

Press Release:

Cisco Launches New Linksys E-Series Routers

Line of Powerful Wireless-N Routers Provides Tech Enthusiasts with the Ultimate Customization and Control of their Home Networking Experience

March 31, 2010 – San Francisco, CA – Cisco today unveiled a new line of Linksys® wireless routers, designed to let its core audience of tech experts and enthusiasts take their home networking experience to the next level. The new, streamlined product lineup sets a new precedent for simplicity, power, and performance and makes it easy for consumers to find the right technology to fit their needs. The line also includes new Cisco Connect software, which gives users tools for easier customization and control of their home wireless experience.

“Linksys pioneered the first home router 10 years ago, and 50 million units later is the world’s leading provider of home wireless routers,” said Jonathan Kaplan, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco Consumer Products. “The new E-Series caters to Linksys’ core technology-minded consumer base, with a simplified product line-up that is ideal for today’s sophisticated home network user.”
Cisco Connect Software: Simple Setup with Advanced Capabilities
With the addition of the new Cisco Connect software, the new Linksys E-Series is designed to make it easier for users to customize and control their wireless network settings to match their preferences. With a quick and easy setup, the software auto-assigns the WPA security passkey and SSID. Once configured, users can use Cisco Connect to easily manage their wireless home network by: Adding multiple Internet-capable devices to the network
Setting parental controls for each computer or device
Giving visitors password-protected Internet access on a separate guest network
Customizing advanced settings and changing the network SSID and password

For the advanced user, Linksys’ advanced features are still available through the default IP address (192.168.1.1).

Product Descriptions and Pricing
The new Linksys E-Series line offers a full range of technology options to help users find what works best for them. The new line, including a USB Wireless-N Adapter, is available immediately at Amazon, Staples, Linksys.com, and soon at Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart and other leading retailers.
Linksys E1000 Wireless-N Router (MSRP: $79.99)
- Wirelessly connects computers and other devices at transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps – Uses four Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) ports to directly connect wired devices – Ideal for general wireless Internet usage and home office productivity

Linksys E2000 Advanced Wireless-N Router (MSRP: $119.99)
- Includes four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports for faster file sharing with other Gigabit-enabled devices, – including computers, hard drives, and servers
- Features selectable dual-band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) technology to help avoid interference, allowing for smoother file transfers and media streaming – Ideal for connecting computers, gaming consoles, Internet-enabled HDTVs and Blu-Ray players, and other wireless devices at transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps
Linksys E2100L Advanced Wireless-N Router with Linux OS: (MSRP: $119.99)
- Utilizes the Linux operating system for flexibility to customize the network
- Uses four Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) ports to directly connect wired devices – Built-in UPnP AV Media Server streams entertainment content to an Xbox 360, PS3 or other compatible device – USB port provides connectivity to storage devices for file sharing at home or over the Internet

Linksys E3000 High-Performance Wireless-N Router (Dual-Band): (MSRP: $179.99)
- Features simultaneous dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), high-performance Wireless-N technology for smoother HD video streaming, wireless gaming and file transfers
- Includes four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports for faster file sharing with other USB port and provides connectivity to storage devices for file sharing at home or over the Internet
- Built-in UPnP AV media server enables streaming of entertainment content to an Xbox 360, PS3 or other compatible device – Optimized for entertainment, ideal for connecting computers, gaming consoles, Internet-enabled HDTVs and Blu-Ray players, and other wireless devices at transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps
Linksys AE1000 High-Performance Wireless-N USB Adapter: (MSRP: $69.99)
- Provides Wireless-N capability to Windows desktop computers and laptops – Selectable dual-band wireless-N – connects to either a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wireless network – Includes USB extension cable and adapter base for improved wireless connectivity – ideal for hard-to-reach USB ports – Helps avoid wireless freeloaders and Internet threats using customizable security settings, including WPA/WPA2 Personal and WPA/WPA2 Enterprise

Your $95 gets you dual-band WiFi draft-n, ethernet and HDMI connections, together with component, composite, S-Video, S/PDIF and stereo RCA.  There’s also an upscaling DVD player built-in.

You’ll need a copy of Windows Media Center in order to use the streaming side of the DMA-2200, but check whatever version of Vista you’re running (if, obviously, you’re using a PC) and you may be surprised to find it lurking there.  If you’ve ever tripped and gone flying over a trailing cable hooking up your PC to your TV, this could be the most painless way to avoid ever doing it again.

[via CNET]

Unfortunately, Digital Trends don’t rate the Linksys design as highly as Sonos’ slick implementation – though admittedly that’s a matter of taste – and the controller gets a thumbs-down for in-hand feel.  Considering the remote is the part you interact with the most in a system like this, it that could be a problem.

More critically, in that inevitable comparison with the Logitech Squeezebox range, the Linksys products are more expensive.  Indeed they’re roughly the same price as the MRSP on a Sonos setup, and if you shop around you can even find the Sonos parts cheaper.  Linksys’ Wireless Home products do the job, but there doesn’t appear to be anything singling them out above the competition.

Audio can be synchronized across multiple rooms or streamed differently to each zone.  Everything can be controlled either from the IR remotes included with each product, or via a separate Controller touchscreen remote with thumbwheel and remote iPod management.  Each uses WiFi draft-n.

When we asked the Linksys reps how their Wireless Home music products compared to Logitech’s Squeezebox range, they told us they prefer to consider Sonos the more direct rival; however we (and probably Logitech) disagree with their suggestion that the Squeezebox Duet is more a single-room solution.  Pricing, though, reflects Linksys’ lofty ambitions: the Director DMC250 with integrated amp will come in at $449.99, and while pricing for the Conductor won’t be confirmed until its launch, the company told us they’re expecting to undercut Sonos by around $100.  The speaker and amp-free Player is $299.99 while the Controller is $249.99.  They’re apparently available now in the US, with the exception of the Conductor which will land sometime Q1 2009. 

Press Release:

Cisco Multi-Room Home Audio Solution Enhances and Extends
the Listening Experience for Consumers

Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio makes it easy to play music
from a variety of sources wirelessly throughout the home

Las Vegas – January 7, 2009 – Cisco® today announced the Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio system at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. From the world leaders in networking, the Wireless Home Audio system utilizes Wireless-N technology to deliver a rich audio experience to any room in the home. Users can create a party atmosphere with immaculate synchronization when listening to the same song throughout the entire home, or send different music to customized “zones”. The Wireless Home Audio solution also puts millions of songs at your fingertips through integrated Internet services such as Rhapsody1, AudioLounge2, and RadioTime. An optional Docking Station for iPod enables your content on Apple iPods™, including Podcasts, Audio Books, and purchased iTunes content, to be played through any Wireless Home Audio device on the network. Wireless Home Audio products also work great with the newly announced Linksys by Cisco Media Hub that gathers and presents the available media on a network.

Facts/Highlights:

Complete Solution
The Wireless Home Audio product family includes three available options for playback devices that allow consumers to bring wireless audio to any room – the all-in-one Conductor, the Director with powerful amplifier and the Player which is the ideal addition to existing sound systems. A Wireless-N Controller enhances the Wireless Home Audio experience by providing touchscreen access to all available audio from anywhere in the home. Consumers can easily unleash audio from their iPods by simply slipping it into the available Docking Station for instant access to all of the songs, playlists, and other audio content on the device. In addition, with millions of songs available from Rhapsody in the US and AudioLounge in Europe, Wireless Home Audio users can search for tracks, discover new artists, and create playlists to be sent to any room. A “Favorites” function gives one-touch access to any content from any source.

Great Audio Quality, Precise Synchronization
Cisco, the world’s leader in networking technology has applied its years of knowledge and expertise to develop an amazing lossless digital audio delivery solution that preserves the full depth and richness of the recording, as originally intended by the artist. Through distributed decoding technology, each Wireless Home Audio device receives unmodified audio source material without any trans-coding or compression. The audio is then reproduced and synchronized to within microseconds, virtually eliminating echo artefacts so often evident in other wireless audio systems.
Wireless Simplicity
With Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio, music can be unleashed from existing digital libraries that are stored on a PC or other device, integrated Internet services, or even an iPod, with no need to run new wires around the home, or undergoing complex home renovation to install the devices. As a complete wireless solution, Wireless Home Audio products enable consumers to fully equip their homes with a world of music that is at their fingertips.
Standards-Based Compatibility
Following Cisco’s standards-based approach to networking, the Wireless Home Audio products utilize Wireless-N technology to provide greater value to the consumer by allowing each device to achieve its full potential as an extension of the solution rather than requiring that one of the devices be hard-wired to a router. Wireless Home Audio products have been built to utilize the DLNA 1.5 standard, extending the value of the solution by making it accessible to and from a broad variety of devices. The products are compatible with standards such as HomePlug, Wireless-G, and Ethernet to allow consumers to choose the mix of networking technologies that is right for them.

Products

Conductor DMC350 Wireless-N Digital Music Center
The Conductor is a complete, portable, self-contained wireless music system with integrated speakers that can be used to bring music to any room of the home. All it needs is a power outlet. It features a seven inch LCD touch screen for easy navigation through your music library and an integrated CD player to play those songs that you have not digitized yet. An individual IR Remote is included.

Director DMC250 Wireless-N Music Player with Integrated Amplifier
Features a 50-watt per channel integrated amplifier powerful enough to be placed in any room as a more permanent solution to access digital music, and includes a line in and out to connect to speakers. Its full color LCD display makes navigating through your music library simple. An individual IR Remote is included.

Player DMP100 Wireless-N Music Extender
Allows you to access digital music from existing stereo or surround sound systems in the home. Its compact design allows it to blend well with any décor making it an ideal option to extend music to any room in the home utilizing your existing audio equipment. An individual IR Remote is included.

Stereo Speaker Kit DSPK50
designed to compliment the Director – Wireless-N Music Player. Pair them to create a complete, high-quality wireless sound system and experience your digital music all around your home, at your control.

Controller DMWR1000 Wireless-N Touchscreen Remote
Designed to control the complete Wireless Home Audio system wirelessly. It features a large, color touchscreen, thumbwheel, and engaging interface designed to let you easily control any one or every one of your Linksys by Cisco Wireless Home Audio devices, including a docked iPod, from anywhere in your home, even when they’re out of sight.

Docking Station for iPod MCCI40
Allows consumers to extend their available Wireless Home Audio library to include all of the content on their iPod, including Podcasts, Audio Books, and purchased iTunes content.

IR Remote DMRIR500
Comes standard with the Conductor, Director, and Player. Its simple button layout and slim form factor allows you to easily control your audio devices when you do not have a Controller nearby.

To simplify the purchasing process, three Wireless Home Audio kits are available:

Premier Kit:
A two-room starter kit that includes Director and IR Remote, Player and IR Remote, and Wireless-N Controller.

Trio Kit:
A kit for consumers looking to add the power Wireless Home Audio to their existing audio systems, the Trio Kit includes 2 Players, 2 IR Remotes, and a Wireless-N Controller.

Executive Kit:
An easy way to add a Wireless Home Audio capabilities to any room, the Executive Kit includes a Director, IR Remote and matching speakers.

Supporting Quotes:

Greg Memo, vice president and general manager, products, Cisco Consumer Business Group.
“After years of research and testing, we are answering the consumer’s call for a wireless home audio system that seamlessly consolidates music content from all of their sources into one solution with incredible audio quality. By both expanding the amount of accessible music and simplifying the experience, we have developed a family of products that work together to greatly enhance the experience of enjoying digital music throughout the home.”

Mike Wolf, director, Digital Home, ABI Research
“We believe that today’s home usage paradigm for digital music will transition from being PC-centric to one that is networked and accessible throughout the home. Cisco’s products allow consumers to enjoy their digital music collections over the network and point to where we believe this market is going.”

Worldwide Market Trends:
In a recent IDC survey, 46% of home network owners and 27% of non home network owners were interested in streaming music from their computer or the Internet to their stereo. (IDC, June 2008)

ABI forecasts total worldwide networked audio shipments will grow from 6.4 million to 38 million with a CAGR of 68%.  (ABI, 2007)

Nearly a fourth — 22% — of US households have at least one iPod. That’s nearly 25 million households that currently have an iPod. Thirty percent of them have more than one iPod. (Forrester 2008)

Pricing and availability:
The Wireless Home Audio products are available in the United States from authorized Linksys by Cisco retailers, authorized resellers, and VAR partners. Cisco anticipates availability in stores in Denmark and The Netherlands during the first quarter of 2009. The Conductor will be available in the first quarter of 2009.

Estimated street prices are as follows:

Premier Kit – $999.99/ €999.99
Trio Kit – $849.99/ €849.99
Executive Kit – $549.99/ €549.99
Conductor – Pricing available at launch
Director – $449.99/ €449.99
Player – $299.99/ €299.99
Stereo Speaker Kit – $149.99/ €149.99
Controller – $349.99/ €349.99
iPod Dock – $79.99/ €79.99
IR Remote – $29.99/ €29.99

The plug actually connects to one of the NSLU2′s USB ports, and can be used with any Linux box.  It’s not just for printers, either; you could use it to turn on or off lights, speakers or anything requiring power.  The plug also automatically switches off after twenty minutes.

If you’re interested in building your own, Phil has released all the schematics and code necessary.  It’s based around a USB-to-Parallel chip with eight outputs, and so feasibly I imagine you could have a whole row of power sockets that get remotely activated.

[via Hackszine]

Linksys include their Entertainment Optimized Networking (EON) technology, which can intelligently prioritise time-sensitive data such as high-definition video or online gaming.  The router also includes four gigabit networking ports, for wired computers and NAS devices, as well as a USB port that can be used to attach storage directly and share it across the network.

All the usual firewalls and security features are in place, and Linksys have continued with the swoopy style that means while the router won’t stack neatly, it also doesn’t make your study look like a data center.  The WRT610N is on sale today, priced at $200. 

It uses a Broadcom chipset for dual-band 802.11n goodness and even had gigabit Ethernet ports. You can even hook up an external USB drive and make it into and NAS as well.

In the end it performs pretty well, basically it will get the job done, and if it has enough ROM/RAM a newly featured version of DD-WRT will probably make this thing like a wireless god-router, but even then, this thing costs $250 freakin dollars! So, save yourself some money, stick with 802.11g until they actually finish the N spec, and get yourself a WRT54GL, some high-gain antennas, and put DD-WRT on it and you should be good to go.

Linksys WRT600N Review: Dual-Band 11n comes to Linky-land [via smallnetbuilder]

We now know that the DMA-2200 has an upscaling DVD player, dual-band 802.11N WiFi and HD-compatible digital and optical outputs; meanwhile, the DMA-2100 drops the DVD player in favour of a more compact (some might say austere) box.  Both come complete with a learning-remote to hopefully cut down on control-clutter.

They’ll hit shelves in the US this November, priced at $300 for the DMA-2100 and $350 for the DMA-2200.  It’ll go up against D-Link’s Extender, also announced today.

Linksys Media Center Extenders [Linksys]

Details are scant, but it’s fair to predict that the wireless-n is there to handle the demands of HD media and that the DMA-2200′s DVD player is likely to upscale normal discs to flatter your HDTV screen. 

With the inclusion of Media Center in many versions of Vista there are likely quite a few users out there who have no idea that their PCs will actually function as a capable PVR.  Even those who do know, however, might not want a noisy, perhaps ugly box sat next to their TV, so the DMA-2100 and DMA-2200 extender units may be a godsend.

Look for them to launch in November 2007, with prices announced closer to the time.

Linksys teaser page (currently down) [via eHomeUpgrade]

According to Cisco, they do not have any current plans to phase out the Linksys name, as it is very well recognized in the eyes of the consumer. Personally, I’m glad to see that it’s staying put, I always hate seeing brand names that have been around for years suddenly vanish one day.

Still, there is always a chance that they will nix the name sometime in the future. According to Cisco they will “examine their branding strategy going forward.”

Rumor Smashed: Linksys Brand Not Going Anywhere [via gizmodo]

If you weren’t aware, Linksys was actually purchased by Cisco back in 2003. Cisco has kept the brand name around this long because the US market has been more familiar with the Linksys name than Cisco’s. However, they no longer feel that it is necessary to continue making products under two different names.

The same Linksys products that we’re familiar with will likely still be around, only they will be labeled with a newly redesigned Cisco logo. No word when they plan to make the changeover.

Cisco kills off Linksys [via theinquirer]

There’s also a USB port for adding media to the network via an external hard-drive, say, or flash memory key.  Assuming you’ve got broadband you can stream internet radio and play online games; all for a smudge over $500.

Linksys [via Crunch Gear]