There are in fact two elements to the new Center, one a native app and the other an Adobe AIR app.  They’re both compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS X (10.5 & 10.6).  Rather than just being able to share photos saved onto the Eye-Fi card itself, Eye-Fi Center also allows you to import photos from other sources – whether your archives or non-WiFi cameras – and share them too.  It’s a free download here.

[via Twitter]

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Video promo after the cut

Of course, Sprint use their highest-possible speed for the video, and contrast it with the lowest “industry average” of 600Kbps you might see out of AT&T.  We’re not blinkered cheerleaders for AT&T’s 3G network, by any stretch, but the video small print also says that the other “average” extreme for 3G is 1.7Mbps; regular users will probably get something in-between the two.

Still, that wouldn’t make for such an impressive demonstration, and we can’t really be too surprised at Sprint wanting to show the Overdrive off to its best advantage.  If you’re in an area with 4G coverage then it’s probably going to be faster than regular old 3G, but we don’t think link-baiting iPhone 4G curiosity-seekers is necessarily the best way to pitch it.

[Thanks Andy!]

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There’s also DVD upscaling to 1080p, BD-Live support and 1GB of onboard storage, together with a skinny 39mm-thick design.  DLNA support means the BD-C6900 can be used as a media-stream receiver, and there’s support for Dolby Digital TruHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Of course, many people will be looking at the deck for its 3D capabilities, and it’s compatible both with Samsung’s own 3D HDTVs and the general Blu ray 3D standard.  The Samsung BD-C6900 is priced at $399.99 from Amazon, and is available now.

[via 3D-Display-Info]

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Video demo after the cut

The company reckon it’ll be useful for digital photographers looking to more easily access their digital media – though who don’t want an Eye-Fi card – as well as iPhone owners looking to add extra capacity.  AirStash use HTML5 for their browser-based interface, and you can access documents as well as media files on more than one gadget at a time.

Recharging is done while the AirStash is plugged into a USB port, and the WiFi b/g connection can either be left unlocked or secured with WPA2 encryption.  A full charge is good for five hours use; the AirStash is available to order now, priced at $99.99.

[via jkOnTheRun]

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According to the Eye-Fi blog, that’s all down to their new X2 engine, which bundles together a 200 MHz ARM926 processor with an MMU, dedicated flash and radio interface engines, and encryption acceleration hardware.  Combined, they’re good for improved WiFi-triangulation geotagging accuracy and “Endless Memory”, Eye-Fi’s new system whereby images and video are automatically deleted from the X2 once the card has verified that they’ve been correctly uploaded to the server.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 will also come with Eye-Fi Center, the newest version of the company’s desktop manager app for PC and Mac.  Eye-Fi Center will also be available for existing Eye-Fi owners, though so far we can’t find it to download on their site.  As for the Eye-Fi Pro X2, that’s available for $149.99.

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The iConnect resembles a small USB hub, measuring 6.3 x 1.1 x 5.2 inches. Ports include a single gigabit ethernet along with four USB 2.0 sockets and a power supply input; inside, meanwhile, there’s WiFi b/g/n connectivity and a 1GHz Marvell 6281 processor paired with 256MB of RAM. Iomega reckon it’ll suck just 5W while active. In the box you get the iConnect itself, an ethernet cable to hook it up to your router (if you’re not going with the wireless option), the PSU, a Quick Start guide and a CD with the full user manual and the Iomega Storage Manager app.

As a concept it’s pretty straightforward. Rather than buy a dedicated NAS (Network-Attached Storage) you plump for the iConnect and hook up cheaper USB hard-drives and thumb-drives for your shared storage. The iConnect acts as a middle-man, making the drives visible not only to computers on your local network but, assuming you have an internet connection, to remote access via a secure webpage.

It’s not just drives that you can attach, however. Up to two of the iConnect’s ports can be used to host regular USB printers, sharing them over the network too. It’s also a DLNA certified UPnP media server, and can stream content from the drives to compatible media players, whether they be computers, consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3, standalone audio/video streamers and other devices. As we’ve seen on some of the more advanced NAS units, there’s a BitTorrent download client (which means you can leave a file downloading without having to have your computer turned on), while a one-touch QuikTransfer button can be programmed to replicate a common task.

Setup is reasonably straightforward, but you have to complete the initial steps with a wired ethernet connection even if you plan to switch to wireless later on. The Iomega Storage Manager app automatically locates the iConnect (and leaves a shortcut – which opens a browser admin page – in the PC system tray or Mac menu bar) at which point you use the web interface to setup via a wizard. By way of bare minimum you have to give the iConnect a name by which it will be known on the network, fill in at least one email address (to which status updates will be sent) and set the clock. At this point you can go to the Network Settings tab and search for your wireless network, then pull the ethernet cord if you so desire.

Unsurprisingly, though, given the amount of things the iConnect will do there are plenty more settings panes you can work through. On a Windows PC the basic setup will have already triggered the assignment of drive letters so you can start accessing files on whatever storage you’ve plugged in. The most common request is likely to be setting up different users, and that’s easy enough to do; if you’ve chosen to make one or more shared folders limited-access, you’ll then be able to pick which that user has access to. That can include read/write, read-only or none. There’s also administrator privileges, which are distinct from all-folder-access privileges.

Iomega include a copy of Retrospect Express (with versions for PC and Mac) for performing regular backups, but as long as your backup app can see a networked drive then it should be able to use the iConnect. Iomega have also made it Time Machine compatible, so Mac owners can use their in-built backup functionality instead if they so desire. Since you can have more than one drive plugged in at any one time, you can set up Copy Jobs – basically macros that copy data from one volume to another – and these can be manually initiated or set to run at scheduled times. There’s also the option to have files copied from volumes discovered on the same network subnet as the iConnect, and you can assign a Copy Job to the QuikTransfer button on the front panel which will act as a one-press trigger to suck files over from a USB thumb-drive or similar to a preset folder. Finally, there’s Picture Transfer Protocol support which will automatically copy images on a connected digital camera to a preset folder, optionally deleting them from the camera in the process.

Does it work? Yes, and slickly at that. In no short order we had several users set up, each with varying levels of access to multiple folders on different drives. On the client machines the Iomega setup app made it simple to map drive letters, or of course you can do so manually. There’s obviously more lag involved in navigation and opening files than when they’re on a local drive, but both the wired and wireless connections were fast enough for everyday use.

Using the iConnect as a media server is also simple; once turned on it automatically scans all drives for videos, music and pictures and then makes them available to UPnP clients across the local network. You can choose to deselect various storage volumes you don’t want to share, as well as use it to host a shared iTunes library by dragging and dropping over your existing media. Like other media-sharing NAS, scans are performed periodically rather than continuously, so it’s worth remembering to hit “Scan Now” if you’ve just copied music across and are wondering why it doesn’t show up on your PS3.

Like the Pogoplug, you can access files through the iConnect remotely, though it’s not set up by default. It’s an easy enough process, however, and you get free 12 months of basic subscription access with your iConnect purchase, then $9.95/year after that. That allows you to pick a sub-domain address to which you’ll go whenever you want to log-in (like yourname.iomegalink.com) from Iomega’s existing selection. Alternatively there’s a premium version which allows you to choose your own domain or use one you already own. Once that’s done, visiting that URL and punching in your username and password will allow you to browse the volumes attached to the iConnect, presuming you have user-level access.

There’s plenty more flexibility with the Iomega iConnect, but the good news is it does the basics – and more – very well. Setup is reasonably simple, as is user management, and with some forethought the Copy Jobs functionality can really speed up daily chores such as drive mirroring. Your system can be as basic as a single USB drive or as complex as a row of USB RAID arrays, and Iomega’s web interface is clean and clear.

It’s also cheaper than the Pogoplug – $99.99 versus $129 – though on the flip side the rival system doesn’t involve any subscription fees; after 12 months of basic remote access you’ll have to stump up for another year’s worth of service. Still, the Pogoplug lacks integrated WiFi – it’s ethernet-only – as well as DLNA streaming support, though we’re told that’s on its way in a future firmware update. There’s plenty to like here about Iomega’s system, and the ability to simply add in extra storage (either permanently or temporarily) is great. Best of all, your setup can be as complex or as basic as you prefer, rather than the outlay for a huge, prebuilt NAS (or a cheaper, smaller one you may later regret opting for). There are frustrations – the subscription for remote access being the biggest – but of course if you don’t want to check your files from afar then you don’t need to pay for it. Generally, then, the Iomega iConnect comes highly recommended.

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HTC Legend unboxing:

Specifications-wise, the Legend marks some key changes over the Hero and some points where we wish HTC had been a little more forthright. The Legend has a 3.2-inch HVGA display, like the Hero, but this time around it’s an AMOLED panel rather than LCD. Similarly, there’s a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, but now it has an LED flash. Where the Hero used a 528MHz chipset, the Legend gets Qualcomm’s 600MHz MSM7227; a speed increase, yes, but short of the 1GHz Snapdragon on the Google Nexus One and HTC’s own Desire.

In fact, there’s a feeling that HTC are pushing the Legend into the mid-range market, rather than aiming for the flagship status the Hero once occupied. We can’t argue the strategy – however much we generally prefer faster processors – and nor can we argue what the Legend brings to its new tier. Most notable is the construction: gone is the Hero’s Teflon-coated plastic, with a new, unibody aluminum casing taking its place. HTC describes their latest design focus as “hidden power”, but with the Legend it’s anything but disguised: by carving the phone’s casing out of a solid block of metal, they’ve been able to do away with a separate outer shell and thus make the whole thing smaller than the smartphone it replaces.

The only plastic to be found is the camera surround – punctuated with holes for the speaker grill – and the battery compartment door, which doubles as the antenna. The row of buttons under the display are also plastic, and they’re the sole point on the Legend where the quality doesn’t feel 100-percent; instead they’re a little too clicky, a little too plasticky. Everywhere else is soft-touch and sturdy, and the Legend feels great in the hand.

Gone, too, is the Hero’s trackball, replaced by an optical joystick. It takes a little getting used to – stroking it from side to side to navigate homescreens or tabs – but once you’re familiar it actually feels more accurate than the trackball ever did. That’s partly because there’s less chance of sideways-slip when you press in to select. As before there are seven homescreen panes and a variety of HTC’s own widgets to fill them with; you can also save various “Scenes”, with layouts and wallpapers suited to different times of day or activity. Not all of HTC’s widgets are loaded by default – there’s a “Get more” shortcut at the top of the list, with things like a tip calculator and a “Daily Challenge” – and we’re hoping that means the company are planning to push out new examples periodically. Panning between panes is swift and lag-free, even if they’re loaded up with widgets, and of course there’s the new – and incredibly addictive – “helicopter view”, which shows Exposé-style thumbnails of all seven panes when you pinch-zoom on the homescreen.

HTC Legend video demo:

Since the Legend runs Android 2.1 and the newest build of HTC Sense, there are several software changes to be discovered. That includes the newer version of the Android Market, complete with screenshot previews, something Hero owners are still waiting for. Still, the biggest improvements are HTC’s own. Unlike the partial Exchange support in Android 2.1, the Legend can sync not only Mail and Contacts but Calendar entries as well. HTC’s own Mail app has had a makeover and now has useful tabs to show not only messages and conversations, but pull out messages from your preset VIPs, unread-only, those flagged, meeting invitations and those with attachments. Where Nexus One owners looking to use Exchange have often had to resort to third-party apps from the Android Market, that’s unlikely to be the case with the HTC Legend.

HTC’s Calendar app has also been tweaked, with a new Agenda view that pulls appointments and reminders into a single list, rather than demanding you navigate by month or date. You can also put an Agenda widget on the homescreen. The other big change, however, comes in how HTC now manage social networks; while the first-gen of Sense added Facebook, Twitter and Flickr updates to individual contacts, there was no way of seeing all recent updates from everybody. Only HTC Peep – their own Twitter client – had such a view.

Now, though, there’s Friend Stream, which pulls together all three services into one view (and a homescreen widget too). As with MOTOBLUR you can update your Facebook status and Twitter from one single point; like the various tabs for drilling-down through messages in the Mail app, Friend Stream has separate tabs for viewing status updates only, just photos or just links. Of course you can still view each contact’s updates separately, or just use Peep for Twitter, but we’re glad to now have the choice. Still, it’d be great to see HTC commit to adding more social networks to their roster, like Motorola have been doing; there are still plenty of people wanting MySpace and LinkedIn, for instance.

There’s also a new copy/paste system which links in neatly to Wikipedia, Google Dictionary and Google Translate. Tapping and holding on a word calls up a small magnifier window and highlights that word; letting go allows you either to drag extender bars to enlarge the selection, or tap to copy it, share it via whatever methods are installed (Mail, Messages and Peep as default, with the Legend automatically URL shortening if necessary), or pushing it over to the look-up services. There, three tabs offer dictionary definitions, various language translations and Wikipedia’s mobile site. Our only one frustration is that, once you’re in the look-up pane, you can’t then tap-and-hold to search for a word in those three tabs; it only offers you the ability to copy that text.

Optics have never been HTC’s strongest point, and the Legend’s camera isn’t a huge step up from that of the Hero. Daylight shots are actually pretty reasonable, with the autofocus quick to snap into order and pressing the optical joystick easier than trying to do the same with the Hero’s trackball. Less impressive, frankly, is the LED flash. HTC told us ahead of the Legend’s launch that they’re currently finding that LEDs can produce just as good results as Xenon flashes but, whether or not you believe that, like other LED-equipped phones we’ve tested it has a tendency either to wash out or under-illuminate the subject. There’s a definite sweet-spot, and it’s a narrow one; particularly frustrating are close-up shots and, as you can see from those in the gallery below, while the Legend was capable of producing a decent shot of a Nexus One while naturally lit, relying on the flash resulted in a seriously washed-out photo. To be fair this is something that affects most camera phones, so we can’t especially blame HTC.

Speaking of Flash, while we were led to believe that the Legend wouldn’t support Flash Lite – unlike the Hero – in actual fact the customized browser does indeed display Flash animations and games. There’s also multitouch support, for pinch-zoom (something not shared by Google Maps), and the usual tabbed browsing. Text-reflowing is impressively quick: a double-tap on a block of writing will automatically zoom in and instantly reflow the paragraph for single-screen reading. We’ve had no problems with flipping from portrait to landscape orientation, and complex websites have rendered with no errors as far as we can see. While the Legend’s display may not be as expansive as that of the Desire, the combination of reflowing, intuitive zooming and overall speed go a long way to overcoming that limitation.

In fact, speed is generally pretty impressive across the board. Our concerns at the relatively minor bump in chipset were founded on repeated complaints about the Hero suffering lag; that’s something HTC have obviously worked hard to code out of the Legend. There’s a little pause as you move between tabs in data-heavy apps like Mail – as the phone pulls out only those messages flagged, for instance, or with attachments – but otherwise it’s slick and smooth. Loaded up with push email, various social networking accounts and media, the Legend does an admirable job of keeping up, and that’s no small relief.

Call quality is good, though we miss the dual-microphone array found on the Google Nexus One. We had no trouble finding and sticking to an HSPA connection, either, with the Legend supporting up to 7.2Mbps downloads and 2Mbps uploads, network depending. Short-sighted, though, is HTC’s decision to limit HSPA/WCDMA support to the European/Asia Pacifit 900/2100MHz bands; while you’ll be able to use EDGE data in most places (the Legend is quadband GSM) you’ll have no luck, say, getting 3G in North America. We understand that’s probably to allow HTC to differentiate their global range, but it’s frustrating nonetheless. Of course, there’s also WiFi b/g (along with Bluetooth 2.1+EDR) for faster connections when you’re around a suitable hotspot.

Given our relatively limited time with the Legend, we haven’t had the opportunity to fully test out its power management. HTC quote up to 440 minutes WCMDA talktime or 490 minutes GSM talktime from the 1,300mAh battery, or up to 560hrs WCDMA standby or 440hrs GSM standby. From what time we’ve had, we’d expect this to be another case of a charge-nightly device, especially if you have push-email and social network updates turned on. One of HTC’s optional widgets is a 1×1 battery meter you can put on your desktop, which is a more telling way to gauge how much runtime you have left.

It’s saying a lot that, when we reviewed the Hero just eight months ago, we had to go pretty much back to basics to explain Android as a platform, but today there’s no such requirement. The standard music player is still uninspiring, and we’re hoping HTC turn their Sense amendments to that next, given Google themselves seem reluctant to do anything about it; still, we’ll take the FM radio they’ve added (which requires a wired headset in order to work) as a start. The jump from Android 1.5 on the Hero to Android 2.1 on the Legend is a sizeable one, though of course HTC are promising a reasonably imminent firmware update that should bring the Hero up to speed. That’s expected to include Android 2.1 Eclair together with many – but not all – of the new Sense functionality.

It’s a long-overdue release, and something Hero owners have been anticipating for some time; it’s also a moderate cause for concern for those considering the HTC Legend. As we’ve increasingly seen with manufacturer-modified Android devices – not just from HTC, but other companies as well – there’s a potential for delay involved when you start modifying the core OS. The Hero has been left languishing with Android 1.5 because of the effort its taken bringing Sense up to speed with newer versions of the platform, something initially tipped to be ready late last year.

HTC Legend durability test:

Now, as we’d say with any device, you should always choose a new gadget because it satisfies your needs now, today, out of the box, rather than because it may get some new feature however many months down the line. Still, one of the attractions of Android is undoubtedly its potential for upgrade and the relative speed at which Google are pushing out new iterations. HTC have again pledged to support the Legend with new firmware as and when possible, but it’s up to the would-be buyer to decide whether they’re willing to take the risk of possible delays.

Nonetheless, even if it remained as it is today, the HTC Legend is an impressive device. It no longer occupies the top-spot in HTC’s Android range – the imminent Desire will take that position – but it’s arguably more attractive and pocket-friendly than its sibling. HTC have made some clever, thoughtful enhancements with Sense – Friend Stream and the look-up functionality come particularly to mind – and in doing so they’ve improved on a core platform that already feels reasonably mature. Held up to the mid-range devices it’s being positioned against, the Legend feels a step up in build quality and design; enough, even, that we could well see it tempting some of the geeks who might automatically have plumped for the Desire or Nexus One. The Android landscape may have changed significantly in the months between now and the Hero’s launch, but with the Legend HTC have shown they still have what it takes to stand apart.

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The router operates on the 2.4GHz spectrum and uses three spatial streams per antenna to hit the 450Mbps max. Normal 802.11n routers have a maximum speed of 300Mbps. Wireless coverage is boosted with MIMO tech and the router has a Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit Ethernet ports for local computers.

Security is a big feature with the router as well with encryption and a firewall to protect the network. Traffic needing bandwidth is prioritized by the router with QoS technology. Wi-Fi Protected Setup makes it easy to setup a connection with supported wireless adapters with the press of a button on the adapter and the router. The TEW-691GR will ship in May for $159.99.

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With that touchscreen – and the Zipel’s WiFi b/g support – you can browse the internet, stream media via DLNA, take notes and even pull up nutritional information for more than 500 different types of food.  It’ll also show Google Calendar entries and weather reports, again with internet updates, as well as news alerts and other articles.  Slap in a memory card (no telling what type) or hook up some sort of wireless storage and the Samsung Zipel can show a slideshow of your favorite photos, which is frankly much better than sticking on rubbish painted pasta pictures that your offspring comes home with and expects you to fawn over.

Unfortunately, this sort of 21st century magic doesn’t come cheap.  Samsung will be launching the Zipel refrigerator in South Korea with a 2.49 million won price tag ($2,182) which makes for a darned expensive way of looking at pictures and keeping your paté chilled.  You could, of course, recreate your own version by sticking a WiFi photo frame or iPad to the front of your existing fridge, though we doubt you’d get a happy Korean lady to come and sit next to such a style travesty.

[via Tech Ticker]

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The RT-N56U supports both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and will function as a printer server too; it’s also capable of 300,000 concurrent sessions, which is apparently “industry-leading”.  There are two USB 2.0 ports (with 3G modem support), four gigabit ethernet ports and WiFi a/b/g/n.  Similar features can be found on the far more mundane-looking ASUS RT-N76U, which swaps radiator-chic for three aerials.

Elsewhere there are two 3G-compatible routers, the ASUS RT-N13U and the AP-N13M.  Each can share the connection from a 3G USB modem, with the former seemingly intended for stationary home use and the latter for use when travelling.  No pricing or hard specifications on any of the four models.

Press Release (extract):

Easy Connectivity and Enhanced Mobility with ASUS Networking

ASUS wireless routers are easy to set up with their exclusive EZ UI interfaces which enable plug-n-surf installation. Additionally, users of the ASUS RT-N76U and RT-N56U can enjoy ultra-fast and stable downloading with an industry-leading 300,000 concurrent sessions, as well as speedy file transfers in the less crowded 5GHz band with their dual band support. Both routers also support simultaneous printing and scanning to enable wireless printing from anywhere around a home. By connecting a 3G HSDPA dongle to the ASUS RT-N13U, users at home can share wireless services with family members. Similarly at a Hotspot café or restaurant, users can use the ASUS AP-N13M to share a Hotspot wireless service with friends.

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The iHome has a DECT cordless handset and hooks up to your network via WiFi for data services like email, browsing and internet radio.  It has a 2.8-inch 240 x 320 touchscreen, microSD slot and a speakerphone, with stereo speakers in the docking station, and you can pair up to five handsets with a single dock.

Meanwhile the DSP Android-powered Multimedia Handset – which curiously they’ve used a screenshot of HTC Sense for in the render – is intended to work as a combination phone, internet portal, DLNA media player and remote control.  It too has both WiFi and DECT.  No prices or release dates for either device; the Binatone looks to be intended as an end-user platform, while the DSP seems to be designed to slot into the company’s greater home automation range.

[via AndroidCommunity 1 and 2]

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“My expectation is that there’s not going to be a lot of people out there looking for another subscription … [the iPad will be a] WiFi driven product” Randall Stephenson, CEO, AT&T

AT&T’s data plans for the iPad also seemingly take into account such 3G reluctance; unlike the packages on offer for smartphones like the iPhone, there’s no minimum agreement (usually 24-months).  Instead, users can activate a month of service and then cancel at the end of that period, with no penalty incurred.  The WiFi-only iPad is predicted to go on sale on March 26th, with the 3G version following on in April or May 2010.

[via Everything iPad]

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Connectivity includes wired ethernet and WiFi b/g/n, though we’re not entirely sure what video/audio outputs there are to go along with that; we’re guessing HDMI will be among them, since it’s present on ASUS’ more basic O!Play range.  Supported media formats include H.264, WMV, MPEG1-4, HDV, VC-1, DivX, XviD, AVI, VOB, MOV, MKV, RMVB video and JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG and TIFF / TIF stills.

It’s also possible to surf the internet directly from the EM0501, though there’s no indication of whether ASUS will be supplying a remote keyboard to make that a little more straightforward.  Instead there’s talk – but no photos – of an IR-based “multimedia remote control” which will presumably handle basic navigation.  No word on pricing or availability.

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Battery life, meanwhile, is sufficient for around 10,000 page turns – the equivalent of around twenty 400-page novels on a single change – though we’re pretty confident that’s with the various wireless options switched off.  ASUS have previously been talking about the DR-950, which looks mighty similar in the press photos to this DR-900, and we’re guessing the two models are basically the same thing.

That means a 1024 x 768 resolution display and support for PDF, ePub and HTML files among formats.  There’s also talk of text-to-speech and RSS, while connectivity includes a USB port and 3.5mm headphone jack.  Onboard storage for the DR-950 ranges between 2GB and 4GB, with an SD card slot to add to that, and ASUS at one point were taking about the potential for WiMAX being added too.

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As for the frequencies it uses, there’s a WiFi a/n chipset on the 5GHz band, paired with a 4×4 MIMO antenna.  Netgear reckon it’s stable enough to guarantee 40Mbps HD streams 99.9-percent of the time, and it’ll work with your Xbox 360, PS3, Apple TV, Wii, Blu-ray deck or PC, among other devices.  The Netgear High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit (WNHDB3004) will go on sale in Q3 2010; pricing to be announced closer to the time, but both the pair of towers and individual units will be available.

The Netgear Ethernet to Wireless Adapter (WNCE2001), meanwhile, connects via ethernet but gets its power via a USB port; that means you can – assuming the device you’re plugging into has a power USB free – avoid having to find an AC outlet for a separate PSU brick.  It also uses WiFi-N technology, and will go on sale in May 2010 priced at $79.

Press Release:

NETGEAR Supercharges Home Theater Experience with New Class of WiFi Products to Support Internet-Enabled Set-top Boxes, TVs, Blu-ray Players and Gaming Consoles

High-Performance HD Home Theater Kit (WNHDB3004) Wirelessly Streams Multiple HD Videos Flawlessly Throughout the Home; Industry-First Compact USB-powered Universal WiFi Internet Adapter (WNCE2001) Wirelessly Connects Ethernet-enabled Consumer Electronics to the Internet

HANNOVER, Germany — March 1, 2010 — NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced two new networking accessories for home theaters. The High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit (WNHDB3004) is a carrier-grade, tested and proven solution for wirelessly playing multiple jitter-free 1080p HD video and audio streams to every room in the house flawlessly, and at double the performance and range of solutions in the market today. The Universal WiFi Internet Adapter for Home Theater Devices and Gaming Consoles (WNCE2001) delivers Wireless-N performance of up to 300 Mbps through the Ethernet port of consumer electronic (CE) devices such as Internet TVs, game consoles, Blu-ray players and more.

NETGEAR will display these new products at the CeBIT trade show in Hannover, Germany, March 2-6, 2010, in the Wick Hill booth (Hall 11, Stand D03) of the Hannover Exhibition Hall. Related CeBIT announcements can be found here (http://www.netgear.com/About/PressReleases.aspx).

A growing number of multimedia devices in the home theater are enabled with network connectivity, but oftentimes there is not a wired network connection available in the living room. While many of the available wireless solutions, either embedded or external, offer basic connectivity to the home network to play rich media to the HDTV, no other wireless solutions provide the reliability required for playing multiple, simultaneous, Blu-ray quality HD streams across multiple walls in a large home.

“High-Performance HD Home Theater Kit provides wired-equivalent connectivity and whole-home coverage using wireless,” said Som Pal Choudhury, NETGEAR director of product marketing for Core Networking Products. “The technology is way ahead of the competition. With its groundbreaking speed, range and reliability, it is like WiFi on steroids.”

High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit (WNHDB3004)
With performance doubling that of competing products, the NETGEAR carrier-grade High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit (WNHDB3004) delivers multiple, simultaneous, jitter-free 1080p HD video streams wirelessly throughout the home. It is the only solution that has been tested to provide sustained throughput of HD streams in excess of 40 Mbps 99.9 percent of the time, through multiple walls, throughout an above-average single family home.

The kit consists of a pair of two High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Adapters (WNHD3004). The set-up is truly plug and play; consumers simply plug the first adapter into the existing router or gateway, and the second adapter into any home theater device with an Ethernet port. The kit is pre-configured with security, so a single touch of a push-button securely connects additional adapters. IPTV customers and video enthusiasts can now wirelessly stream multiple 1080p HD streams with wired-equivalent reliability from the network, Internet or IPTV service provider to their home theater devices, including IPTV set-top boxes, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Blu-ray players, Internet-enabled TVs, Apple TV, NETGEAR Digital Entertainer products and more. The NETGEAR High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit supports point-to-multipoint HD video streaming and the multicast streaming protocol that IPTV service providers demand.

The High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit eliminates the need for expensive structured wiring or messy Ethernet cables. It is also designed to overcome the common problems — wireless signal strength, quality and reliability — associated with interference, frequently changing WiFi environments, and areas of the home that are notoriously difficult to reach. The kit combines 4×4 multiple-input, multiple-out (MIMO) antenna signal processing, real-time spectrum analysis and dynamic digital beamforming with the industry’s highest performance IEEE 802.11a/n 5GHz wireless LAN chipset, providing an unprecedented level of reliability and wireless performance in terms of data rates and range.

“With the rising demand among consumers for HD-quality video, IPTV service providers are increasingly looking for carrier-grade solutions to wirelessly connect IPTV set-top boxes to the home network,” said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at The NPD Group, a leading market research company. “Likewise, VARs, resellers and system integrators specializing in home audio and video automation are looking for ways to cut costs in expensive cabling to connect their customers’ whole home entertainment systems. Wireless devices that are capable of reliably playing multiple HD audio and video streams, like those of NETGEAR, are an ideal solution for the customers, as well as the service providers.”

The Universal WiFi Internet Adapter (WNCE2001) for Home Theater Devices and Gaming Consoles
NETGEAR is also introducing the industry’s first compact USB-powered Universal WiFi Internet Adapter (WNCE2001) that works with Internet TVs, game consoles and Blu-ray players. The first of its kind, the adapter is the only affordable solution in a small form factor that delivers optimal Wireless-N performance and works universally with any Ethernet-enabled CE device. This saves consumers from the confusion and expense of purchasing separate WiFi USB adapters for each CE device in their home theater.

The Universal WiFi Internet Adapter is powered by the USB port, avoiding the need for a long wire to the power outlet and making it more visually pleasing in the already congested home theater environment. With NETGEAR Push Connect technology and CD-less set-up, it is truly a plug and play experience.

Pricing and Availability
Backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support, the new NETGEAR products are available worldwide through leading retailers, direct marketers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. The Universal WiFi Internet Adapter for Home Theater Devices and Gaming Consoles (WNCE2001) will be available in May at an MSRP in the U.S. of $79. The High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit (WNHDB3004) will be available in Q3 of 2010, with pricing for the kit and for single adapters to be announced at the time of market availability.

Photos and Other Product Information:
High-Performance Wireless-N HD Home Theater Kit (WNHDB3004):
http://www.netgear.com/HDWiFi

Universal WiFi Internet Adapter for Home Theater Devices and Gaming Consoles (WNCE2001):
http://www.netgear.com/ConnectWiFi

Note: Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput will vary from maximum signal rates stipulated. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate.

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Other specifications include GPS and WiFi, together with T-DMB mobile TV reception and a 5-megapixel camera.  There’s also HD video support and DivX compatibility, complete with the 3D UI from previous LG Arena-branded phones.  Interestingly, the LG9400 Maxx uses Qualcomm’s QSD8650 Snapdragon chipset, rather than the more common QSD8250.

The QSD8650 has the same processor and GPS as the QSD8250, but it pairs them with CDMA2000 1x and EVDO Rev 0/A/B modems rather than the GSM/EDGE/HSPA connectivity we’re used to.  It’s capable of up to 22M triangles/sec and 133M 3D pixels/sec, together with 720p HD video decoding.

LG have also promised to launch a Snapdragon-based device for carriers SK Telecom and KT “soon”, though there’s no public timescale as yet.

[via GSMArena]

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The Archos 7 Home Tablet has a 7-inch touchscreen and WiFi, along with 2GB or 8GB of onboard storage.  Weight is 350g and the whole thing measures just 12mm thick; the standard battery is good for up to 7hrs of video playback or 44hrs of audio playback.  There’s also a USB port for hooking up a PC or digital camera.  It will go on sale in April 2010, priced at €149 ($203) for the 2GB model and €179 ($244) for the 8GB.

As for the Archos 8 Home Tablet, it has a larger, 8-inch touchscreen and is also 12mm thick; however the weight shifts up slightly, to under 400g.  It, too, is positioned for internet access and media playback.  It will go on sale from May 2010, with 4GB of storage for €149 ($203).

More excitingly, however, Archos are promising a range of 1GHz ARM Cortex powered tablets this coming Summer, with screens ranging in size between 3-inches and 10-inches.

[via UMPC Portal]

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In fact, according to Archos this isn’t just a new segment for them but the creation of a whole new acronym: the Family Digital Assistant (FDA).  Such a device would be permanently online and work both as a media deck and as a home organizer.

According to Archos the first such device – the A70HB – will be on show this week, though we’ve no way of knowing whether it’s actually the same tablet as the Archos 7 we’ve seen previously

[via Engadget]

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Using Google Location Services among others, Geosense for Windows uses a database of known cell towers and WiFi access points to triangulate the computer’s position.  It’s something we’ve been waiting for Microsoft – or one of the notebook manufacturers, perhaps – to take advantage of for a while now, so this free download is very welcome.

[via istartedsomething]

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Two versions of the T1000 will be offered, the T1000X with a 4-cell, 4,500mAh battery and the T1000P with a 6-cell, 7,650mAh battery.  Both netbooks will have 1GB of RAM, a 250GB HDD and Intel GMA 3150 graphics, along with WiFi b/g/n, 10/100 ethernet and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.

Ports include two USB 2.0, an eSATA/USB combo, audio in/out, VGA, ExpressCard and a multiformat memory card reader; there’s also a 1.3-megapixel webcam, microphone and 1.5W stereo speakers.  No word on pricing, but we’re guessing this won’t be an especially cheap netbook – Gigabyte will probably tell us more at CeBIT 2010 this coming week.

[via Xataka]

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That would leave the unnamed new device as pretty much a BlackBerry Storm 9520 with a slide-up keyboard similar to the BlackBerry Bold.  Other specs include WiFi 802.11n – “100% support” insists the source – and a 360 x 480 display.  Software is expected to be BlackBerry OS 6.0, and – best of all – this isn’t going to be a Verizon exclusive; RIM’s first slider will be a GSM/HSPA device.

Of course, all this is unconfirmed by RIM themselves, and the origins of the image – which would be distinctly easy to recreate in Photoshop – are unclear too.  RIM have proved cautious with alternative form-factors to their traditional candybars – the clamshell Pearl Flip 8230 model has languished unchanged for some time now, and is in fact rumored to be end-of-life – and it took a hardware refresh and several software iterations before the touchscreen Storm was accepted.

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Video demo after the cut

VoIP use will be aided by a speaker and microphone, and there’s also GPS for using the GoGear Connect as a sat-nav handheld.  Also tipped is haptic feedback for the display, a memory card slot, rear-facing camera (no word on the resolution) and a range of internal storage kicking off at 8GB and rising to 64GB.

Philips have developed their own custom UI for the PMP – which you can see in the video below – which unsurprisingly prioritizes media playback.  No word on pricing or specific release dates, though a Q3 2010 period has been tipped.

[via Android Community]

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In the box there’s the BearExtender n3 itself, together with a USB memory stick with the required software and two USB cables. Setup is straightforward (as long as you have one of the compatible systems; more on that later): pick either the short (metal flex) or the long (regular) USB cord, plug in the BearExtender n3 and load the drivers from the USB stick. The regular internal AirPort WiFi card is disabled and the notebook uses the new, external card instead; obviously you’ll need to reconfigure things for your network, but once connected it’s just like using the standard WiFi only with dramatically broader range.

Rokland suggest the BearExtender n3 is over 10 times as powerful as a regular internal AirPort card, with a 700 mW maximum power output compared to just 32 mW from the regular component. We tested it with an Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11n router and found that we could almost double the distance between it and the notebook. Much of the time the signal strength read 100, and despite the bulk of the antenna, it clipped to the lid of our test MacBook Pro and proved little of a hinderance. Although range was improved, we did experience the occasional unexpected disconnection, usually while trying to move large files or stream video.

It’s worth noting that the BearExtender n3 only supports the 2.4GHz band, not the 5GHz offered by an increasing number of wireless routers these days. We didn’t experience any issues with neighboring networks, but if you’re in a particularly built-up area with lots of other WiFi connections around you, that could present a problem.

Also potentially frustrating is the absence of 64-bit drivers. Apple notebooks running Snow Leopard automatically boot into 32-bit environments, so you can use the BearExtender n3 with no problems, but if you have an early 2008 or early 2009 XServe Server or Mac Pro running Snow Leopard (both of which systems boot into 64-bit mode) you’ll have to wait for Rokland to push out some suitable drivers. Unfortunately there’s no timescale on when we might see those released. If you’ve got an OS X 10.3, 10.4 or 10.5 system then you should have no problems.

Still, when boosted wireless network adapters are generally twice the price (or more) of the $44.97 BearExtender n3, and adding in an extra AirPort Express to act as a signal repeater has the inevitable setup headaches (plus costs more than twice as much too), the Rokland option looks more and more sensible. Absent 64-bit drivers could present a headache, and for a few users the lack of 5GHz support could be an instant deal-breaker, but if you’ve ever despaired at a flaky, patchy WiFi connection in the home or office then the BearExtender n3 is a cost-effective way to address it.

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It’s apparently unclear exactly what sort of firmware upgrade existing MiFi owners will be getting, and of course there are two different models which complicates matters somewhat.  The MiFi 2200 CDMA units – available through Sprint and Verizon in the US – lack the GSM MiFi 2352/2372 units’ application processor; Novatel also demonstrated a slick GPS app that was running on a MiFi itself:

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Performance seemed reasonable on both devices, though there were some missed-taps on the touchscreen and both builds were very much works-in-progress.  We also took the opportunity to quiz Intel about what exactly will differentiate Moorestown from other next-gen chipsets, like NVIDIA’s Tegra or Texas Instruments’ OMAP4, since performance didn’t seem anything excessive over what other platforms we’ve tested.

Their stance is that Moorestown brings with it flexibility – greater flexibility to run various platforms, including those intended for ARM and x86 systems – and of course as well as Android and Moblin there’ll be MeeGo support when that OS arrives later in 2010.  Moorestown will be capable of running in a low-power mode for regular smartphone duties, or in a high-power (comparable to a netbook-style devices) mode when you need some processing or multimedia grunt.

The expectation is that Aava Mobile will offer the handset as a reference design, rather than selling it directly.

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The S-Band is a section of the wireless spectrum near to that used for European 3G connectivity, and Solaris Mobile will use it to broadcast DVB-SH TV data streams across the 27 European member states.  While the eventual goal is to see the receivers integrated into mobile devices, the Pocket Gateway Device will mean that existing hardware should be compatible too.

Rather than demanding a device-specific app, Solaris Mobile’s system uses the web browser on a WiFi-enabled phone.  The gateway has an integrated webserver, turning the TV broadcasts into something the phone’s browser can display.  No word on when we can expect to see the device on sale, however.

Press Release:

Solaris Mobile Announces Pocket Gateway Device

New device allows reception of S-Band services to smart phones

Mobile World Congress 2010
The App Planet Hall 7, stand 7G4
DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Solaris Mobile Ltd, the Dublin based operator of new pan-European hybrid satellite and terrestrial wireless networks for next generation mobile services, announces the development of a mobile gateway device allowing the reception of services in S-Band on smart phones.

“We are excited to be working with Solaris Mobile on this development which provides an efficient and cost-effective way for broadcasters and mobile network operators (MNOs) to enter the mobile TV space and a convenient way for subscribers to enjoy their favourite TV channels on the move”

The Solaris Mobile Pocket Gateway is a pocket sized S-band receiver which decodes DVB-SH TV, radio & data streams and relays them over WiFi via a mini web server built into the device. This technology allows any compatible smart phone with WiFi and a web browser to access mobile TV and radio over Solaris Mobile’s hybrid network without modification.

The development has been achieved in conjunction with Finnish company EB (Elektrobit) and resolves the issue of how to manage the availability of mobile phones with S-Band reception. In addition, the Solaris Mobile Pocket Gateway is planned to be used in the car by linking to a roof-mounted antenna and providing passenger entertainment on mobile phones.

Commenting on the development, Steve Maine, CEO, Solaris Mobile, said; “This is a significant step forward in the development of the S-Band ecosystem and solves the problem of how to get compatible handsets into the market place, permitting the user to choose his preferred mobile phone and have the benefit of being able to access a range of high quality mobile TV and multimedia services”.

Jani Lyrintzis, Vice President, Wireless Solutions, EB, commented; “We are excited to be working with Solaris Mobile on this development which provides an efficient and cost-effective way for broadcasters and mobile network operators (MNOs) to enter the mobile TV space and a convenient way for subscribers to enjoy their favourite TV channels on the move”.

The device will be developed further over the next few months, including the use of enhanced security. On this latter point, Solaris Mobile is pleased to be working with Nagravision, a world-leading supplier of conditional access systems.

A demonstration is available at the Solaris Mobile stand in The App Planet Hall 7, stand 7G4 at the GSMA Mobile World Congress (Barcelona, 15-18 February 2010), where Matt Child, John Darkin and the team from Solaris Mobile, will answer any queries on the technology.

Solaris Mobile, a joint venture between Eutelsat and SES-Astra was set up in 2008 to develop next generation mobile communication services. The company intends to deploy a hybrid satellite and terrestrial network enabling the provision of mobile television, radio and data channels as well as broadband and voice communication services to be delivered to mobile phones, portable terminals and in-vehicle devices. In May 2009, the European Commission awarded Solaris Mobile the right to operate satellite & terrestrial services in S-Band in all 27 EU member states. S-Band is spectrum residing in the 2GHz band and is adjacent to UMTS used by mobile 3G operators.

At present, Solaris Mobile is carrying out trials in Paris, demonstrating the broadcast of TV and radio services to phones, other handheld devices and cars – across the city and surrounding areas.

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There’s also talk of both WiFi and A-GPS, an FM radio plus an FM transmitter, and either 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage.  RAM is said to be 256MB, and there’s a GPU good for OpenGL support.

The Symbian phone is apparently codenamed Vasco, and will slot into Nokia’s N-series of devices to replace the N86.  A similar rumor leaked back in December, though at the time the phone was expected to have a smaller 3.1-inch touchscreen.

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Elsewhere there’s a 16GB SSD and WiFi along with the 3G connection, while HP also reckon the frugal smartbook will be leggy enough to last for 12 hours on a single charge.  Alternatively standby is tipped at 10 days.

From the photos it’s obvious that there’s a webcam and an SD card slot, together with some useful shortcut keys around the trackpad; HP have also loaded up their own touchscreen UI.  According to the company, the Compaq Airlife 100 will arrive in Europe this spring, as a subsidized deal with carrier Telefonica.  No word of a US launch or any pricing details.

[via Xataka]

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The SIMFi uses SIM toolkit applets running on the card itself, meaning there’s no setup hassles or handset-specific configuration.  Instead users would presumably change any access point settings – security, for instance – via the SIM menu in the first device they slot the SIMFi into, and then use it plug-and-play from that point on.

It’s a promising idea, and we’re guessing that with Telefonica on board the SIMFi will be seeing a commercial release rather than floating around as a proof of concept we can’t get hold of.  No word on what sort of price each of the modules commands, but it seems likely that carriers would give the SIMFi away as long as you took out some sort of mobile data contract.

Press Release:

World premier: Sagem Orga and Telefonica turn the SIM card into a Wi-Fi hotspot

Barcelona, Mobile World Congress 2010

Smart card expert Sagem Orga (Safran group) and Telefonica, one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, are enhancing mobile broadband services by offering “SIMFi,” the first SIM card with integrated Wi-Fi. Using the SIM as a hotspot is expected to have the potential of becoming the next killer application.

Millions of subscribers are using netbooks and notebooks to surf the Internet while on the move, and this has become a strategic market for mobile operators. To enable Internet access, all of these mobility devices use the USIM card to authenticate the user on High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) networks, but there are some drawbacks that are slowing down market penetration. These include complex 3G modem and driver set-ups the user must perform, the use of accessories and cables such as USB modems, PCMCIA modems, handsets and certain software, and the complexity of service use.

By turning the SIM card into a Wi-Fi hotspot, Sagem Orga and Telefonica have developed a solution without all these hurdles. An embedded WLAN modem in the SIM card, driven by the SIM toolkit applets running in the SIM, will enable Telefonica to broadcast High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) Internet access through Wi-Fi to notebooks and netbooks. The new generation USIM card “SIMFi” can be inserted in any type of classic handset to act as a universal and interoperable HSPA/Wi-Fi router for any device.

“We strongly believe that SIMFi, with its unprecedented functionality for wireless access, will significantly improve the user experience,” explained Remy Cricco, Technology Innovation Manager at Sagem Orga. “If customers can connect their notebooks to the Web anytime and anywhere by simply using what they have with them most of the time and what is the most trusted secure device – the SIM card – adoption can be expected to be enormous.”

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Each smartphone also has Bluetooth (with A2DP support), while the Bluetooth SIG go on to confirm that the E110 has GPS and AGPS.

Those features aren’t mentioned for the P300, but that gets specified with USB 2.0 and WiFi b/g.  We’re assuming both have cameras, but there’s no mention of megapixels, autofocus or flash; after all, the Bluetooth SIG is really just interested in Bluetooth, so we’re lucky to get whatever scraps they give us.

According to the listings, the E110 will see a launch in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America, while the P300 will only be released in Asia, Australia and Europe.  There’s no indication of when that might happen, though with Mobile World Congress 2010 only days away there’s a possibility Acer might announce one or both devices there.

[via Unwired View]

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