September 7th, 2008
Samsung, Sony in Wi-Fi Photo Frame Shootout
One of the big holiday gifts over the last couple of years, digital photo frames are a convenient way to show off photos that might otherwise languish on your hard drive. But a lot of them are sold by no-name companies at budget prices with limited feature sets. Other manufacturers like Kodak and D-Link figured out a great way to improve the device is by building in Wi-Fi, which opens up a lot more sources to display photos from than a memory card or the frame’s internal memory, whether it’s from your PC or online. Now, the heavy hitters are joining the fray, as Samsung and Sony have announced new Wi-Fi-enabled frames that will be available this fall.
Samsung is offering two different wireless frames—the 8-inch SPF-85V and the 10-inch SPF-105V—while Sony is introducing the 7-inch VAIO CP1 (pictured). The two electronics giants have each decided on a different online service to emphasize with their frames, with Sony offering Google Picasa support and Samsung choosing Microsoft’s Windows Live Spaces. Both companies are taking steps to move these frames beyond mere photo duty, as they all have support for RSS feeds to keep you up-to-date on news and critical information like ZDNet blog posts. Using UbiSync technology, Samsung’s devices can also function as secondary displays for your computer. Perhaps more practically, Sony equipped the CP1 with stereo speakers and the ability to stream Internet radio, a feature that more wireless frames will no doubt adapt in the future.
This coming from Sony, however, means that you’re going to pay more for that feature, despite the CP1’s smaller screen size: It’s expected to retail around $300 when it comes out next month. If extra room to display bigger shots matters more to you than Internet radio, then you can grab the SPF-105V for $289.99 on November 1. And if you’re looking to save some cash, the SPF-85V is the cheapest of the three, coming in at $199.99 when it becomes available on October 1.
September 4th, 2008
Cablevision blankets Long Island with Wi-Fi
Cablevision Systems, one of the biggest cable providers in the New York City metro area, announced that it’s completed the first stage of a massive Wi-Fi network project called Optimum WiFi that will eventually cover the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tri-state area. The company says that its wireless networking equipment now covers a healthy section of Long Island, including the area around the various commuter rail stops. (You can find out where it’s available on this Optimum WiFi Web page.) The free Wi-Fi service, with speeds up to 1.5Mbps, is only for Cablevision subscribers, who will be required to enter their used ID and password in order to access the network. (No doubt hacks for nonsubscribers to circumvent this are being developed as I type this.)
Given the competition cable companies like Cablevision are facing for Internet customers not only from telephone companies like Verizon (and its FiOS fiber-optic service) but also potentially from a cell phone provider like Sprint with its forthcoming WiMAX service, it’s an interesting differentiator, though I’m not sure it’d be the major factor in my deciding whether to stay with Cablevision if FiOS came to town (a moot point, since I don’t live in Cablevision country and Verizon still hasn’t started offering FiOS where I live). Then again, if I were a subscriber who commuted to Manhattan everyday, having some Wi-Fi coverage to connect my laptop to the Internet (or surf faster on my Wi-Fi-enabled phone) would be a pretty nice bonus. Any Cablevision subscribers out there who have tried out the new wireless service want to let us know how it’s working?
September 4th, 2008
Wireless networking finally hits the ceiling
With the advent of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology that’s used in Draft N (and some later 802.11g) products, wireless range isn’t as big an issue for new networks as it has been in the past. But if you’re running an older 802.11g network (as I am) in a home or a sizable office, you’re aware of the dead spots where your Wi-Fi signal plummets in strength or disappears altogether (at the farthest reaches of your space, or behind some walls). To boost your signal strength, you could add a repeater, which you usually try to hide out of the way, since it should be placed wherever it’s best for performance, and/or bigger antennae on your router if its comes with detachable ones.
But Luxul is taking the concepts to new heights (literally) with its Pro-WAV 100 system, which I first read about over at Engadget. The company has built a signal booster into a ceiling-mounted housing, resembling nothing so much as a cousin to the smoke alarms hung in every building. It doesn’t exactly look like a designer accessory, but you could theoretically hang it anywhere given Luxul’s stated claims about its efficacy: The company claims that the Pro-WAV 100 can cover 5,000 to 10,000 square feet with any 802.11-based signal. Neither Engadget nor the Luxul Web site had any details about price or availability, so I checked in with the PR contact, who informs me that the Pro-WAV 100 costs $579.95—in other words, far more than updating every part of your current network to the latest technology.
If the bank hasn’t foreclosed on your McMansion, and you must have Wi-Fi in that sixth bedroom/drawing studio, or if you’re in a small office setting, I could see the appeal of mounting this unit on your ceiling and seeing if it works as well as promised. (In fact, the Luxul case study I received was based on adding the Pro-WAV 100 to a 7,500-square-foot home.) In that case, you can currently order the Pro-WAV directly from Luxul or wait for the company to announce in the coming weeks some new retail partners that will be selling the unit. But for most of us average Joe networkers, the price ceiling is the one that’s going to matter. But maybe I’m wrong—would you pay the price for the ceiling-mounted Pro-WAV 100?
September 3rd, 2008
Logitech tries to take network music player mainstream with Squeezebox Boom
In the press release announcing the new Squeezebox Boom, Robin Selden, vice president and general manager of Logitech’s Streaming Media business unit, says that “[t]he network music player will be the CD player of the 21st century.” That may be true—eventually—but at $299.99, the Boom probably won’t be it. Despite a price tag outside of what most users would pay to stream audio from the Web, the Boom does have some nifty features that provide a glimpse of what the network music player could offer everyday folks when it’s priced for, well, everyday folks.
As with other streaming audio devices, the Boom detects nearby wireless networks when you first plug it in, then asks for a password if you’re using an encrypted network (which it then saves so you don’t need to re-enter it with every use). It lets you navigate Internet radio stations using its SqueezeNetwork interface, and will stream from popular sites like Pandora and Last.fm as well as subscription services like Rhapsody, Slacker, and even Sirius satellite radio (presumably via the lower-quality Internet streaming method). Even with your computer off, the Boom will be able to access the streaming sites. Of course, it also can play the audio files on your PC (via the SqueezeCenter utility), though not DRM-protected files like secure AAC-format tracks from the iTunes Music Store.
Logitech is touting the Boom’s audio-quality bona fides, which include a built-in 30-watt amplifier and what it’s calling “high-performance” speakers. There’s an input for adding a dedicated subwoofer, suggesting that the high performance doesn’t carry over to bass frequencies. In the company’s defense, the unit is fairly compact, so speaker quality may indeed be better than average for its form factor. And the built-in speakers mean you don’t have to hook it up to a separate receiver and speaker system, as you must do with many other streaming devices (including previous Squeezebox units). One thing the audiophile features won’t be able to overcome are low-quality, bandwidth-saving streams along with the usual connection hiccups that come with Internet audio.
The Boom may have some competition with new HD radios, which are also still priced a little too high for widespread appeal. But it also will compete with the iPhone/iPod Touch, which now support apps for streaming audio and playing your home PC’s music files remotely and can hook up to a similarly sized dock-and-speakers combo. And some of those can run on batteries, which the Boom can’t do. There’s little doubt the Boom will find its way onto the bedside table of some audiophile early adapters, but the price point means the network music player still won’t come any closer to the CD player’s ubiquity.
September 3rd, 2008
Canon, Epson add Wi-Fi to new multifunction printers
Built-in wireless networking capability is slowly infiltrating the home printer market. At the end of last year, we highlighted a dirt-cheap monochrome laser, the Brother HL-2170W, and both Canon and Epson have recently announced a handful of new all-in-one inkjet printers that also feature built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. These four multifunction units are geared toward photo printing, though options are currently limited for sending digital photos wirelessly from camera to printer. Instead, you’ll be stuck with the usual memory-card readers and PictBridge ports if you want to print directly from your digicam. All four printers also have an Ethernet port for wired networking connections.
Canon offers the $149.99 Pixma MP620 and the $299.99 Pixma MP980 (pictured). Both have Auto Photo Fix on-board; it makes basic image corrections like red-eye removal without the need for manual editing. The MP980 offers several notable features to justify it costing twice as much as the MP620, including a larger 3.5-inch LCD, a separate gray-and-photo-black ink tank for improved black-and-white photo printing, and the ability to scan film negatives and slides. Epson introduces its new Artisan line of multifunctions with the $199.99 Artisan 700 and the $299.99 Artisan 800. Like the more expensive Pixma, the Artisan 800 sports a 3.5-inch LCD, but it also includes a fax (in addition to printing, copying, and scanning capabilities) and an automatic document feeder.
Presumably, there’s a bit of a price premium placed on Wi-Fi-enabled printers, as consumers are expected to pay a little more for the convenience of adding the device to your home network sans wires. The question is: Is it worth the extra cost? If people answer “yes” at the checkout counter, we may see more (lower-priced) printers comes with wireless features sooner than later.
September 2nd, 2008
Buffalo LinkStation Mini adds iTunes streaming for iPhones
In the drab world of network-attached-storage (NAS) devices, Buffalo’s LinkStation Mini stands out thanks to its palm-sized form factor (due to it using 2.5-inch notebook hard drives instead of the 3.5-inch desktop hard drives that most NAS devices utilize). It has a solid set of features as well, including print-server capability and the ability to stream files to any DLNA-compatible media player. Now the tiny unit is the first of probably many NAS drives that is going to make it easier to access your iTunes library from your iPhone. With a simple firmware update, you can play music and view photos directly from your home computer’s hard drive on Apple’s cell phone. You enable the Mini’s Web Access feature—which gives you remote access to your files via a custom Web address—then surf to the site via your iPhone’s Safari browser and access your media there.
A dedicated app would be a tidier option, and if you’re looking for an alternative way to stream your iTunes library to your iPhone without dropping a few hundred dollars on the LinkStation Mini, try the (currently) free app SimplifyMedia. In addition to downloading the app from the App Store, you need to download a utility from the SimplifyMedia Web site to install on your computer and then create a SimplifyMedia account. I’ve just started playing around with it, and it lets me access my tunes around the house using my wireless network without problems. The biggest issue I’ve found with using it remotely is that there’s a noticeable delay in playing tracks due to buffering as SimplifyMedia grabs your selected track. (There’s also been at least one major service outage since I’ve downloaded the app.) Rumor has it that the company may eventually charge for the app, but if it works on a consistent basis, and you can handle the buffering delay, it’ll be a far cheaper alternative to paying for an 8GB of drive space on the iPhone.
September 2nd, 2008
New SOHO networking blogger intro: The Network Effect
With this post, I will officially be taking over the SOHO networking blog here on ZDNet. First, I’d like to thank my colleague and friend Rik Fairlie for helming this blog over the last several months. This marks my return to ZDNet, where I started my tech writing career nearly a decade ago. (Like Rik, most of my time has been spent as an editor at Computer Shopper magazine and ComputerShopper.com.) Back then, you could just start setting up an 802.11b wireless home network—if you could make it through the primitive configuration interfaces and troubleshoot the inevitable Windows-related issues. Since then, home networking has gone from 802.11b to 802.11g to the infinitely superior Draft N spec, and major strides have been made in easing the setup of networks. Wi-Fi connectivity has become an option on nearly every type of device, from TVs and media streamers to cameras and portable MP3 players. You can access wireless networks in cars, on planes, and even in baseball and football stadiums.
With wireless networking seemingly everywhere these days, it’s a great time for me to take over this blog. Of course, networking still delivers its fair share of headaches, which we’ll be sure to cover as well. But the exciting new products and technologies emerging in this space should outweigh the negatives that linger. What are you looking for from networking in the near future? Let me know below.
July 21st, 2008
AT&T blunders on free Wi-Fi for iPhones
AT&T just can’t commit. To free Wi-Fi for iPhone 3G customers, that is.
The company seems to be having a blunder-fest with announcements that iPhone 3G customers can get free Wi-Fi at its nationwide AT&T WiFi HotSpots (most notably in Starbucks stores). The carrier trumpets the free service on its Web site one day, then claims the announcement was a mistake and pulls the link the next day. The culprit? Employee error.
I bought an iPhone 3G, and it’s an awesome tool (the App Store is an especially appealing addition). I owned the first version of the device, but now I’m paying AT&T $10 more a month for the data service and $5 per month for previously free text messaging. So I don’t see why AT&T couldn’t throw in free Wi-Fi for my not-too-frequent visits to Starbucks.
But, even if it did, I’m not sure that I’d be able to use it. About a month ago, AT&T announced that anyone with an active Starbucks card could take advantage of free Wi-Fi in the store. I dutifully loaded $10 on my card, bought a venti drip, and asked the barista about the service. He acknowledged that it was available in that location. When I cracked open my laptop and tried to join the network, however, it asked me to register the card at Starbucks.com. I did so, but still couldn’t access the network. So I called Starbucks to ask how to log on. The tech rep said that I should be able to access the network after registering my card. Beyond that, he could offer no assistance as to how to join the network.
So I finished my coffee—all 20 ounces of it–and left. If AT&T really intends to offer Wi-FI, it needs to commit. And then train its partners.
Until then, I’m drinking my coffee at Joe: The Art of Coffee. They don’t have Wi-Fi, but they don’t promise it, either.
July 17th, 2008
D-Link launches new surveillance cam with Powerline networking
D-Link is shipping the first in the line of its D-Life products, a series that is designed to enable users to easily manage networking devices via its D-Life Web site. First up is a surveillance camera kit that allows remote viewing of live streaming video from a remote Web browser. Starting at $399.95, the Internet Surveillance Starter Kit (DHA-390) is pricier than most entry-level IP Web cams, but D-Link bundles two Powerline networking adapters with the camera.
D-Link touts the new D-Life product as a foolproof way for even novice users to take advantage of the camera to monitor the home, children, and, of course, pets. I’ve installed several IP cams, and I’ve found none to be quite as effortless as D-Link describes the DHA-390. I’ve asked the company to send me an evaluation unit to test that claim, so stay tuned.
I’ve tested only Wi-Fi IP cams, however. The D-Life camera is a different animal. Using Powerline adapters, it plugs into existing power outlets in the home for connecting to the home network router and then out to the Internet. D-Link says consumers can access the camera via the D-Life Web site for remote viewing and management of their account (adding new users to the camera, for instance).
The D-Link D-Life Internet Surveillance Starter Kit (DHA-390) is available now from the D-Link shop.
July 10th, 2008
Belkin unveils new router and Powerline adapters
Belkin today announced two pretty cool networking products—a new router and Powerline adapters—that each have a unique and very useful new feature. But you’ll have to wait a few months to get your paws on them.
I really like the new
N+ Wireless Router because it includes a USB port that enables you to connect a storage device—instant network attached storage! The $199 $119 router won’t be available until October, however, but if you’re thinking of springing for a new router and have an external hard drive laying around, it may be worth the wait.
The N+ Wireless Router also sports a redesign, packaged in an attractive vertical chassis. Bucking the internal antenna trend, Belkin has maintained two external antennas. which is good news for those of you who might want to add high-gain antennas later. (I just got a live demo, and the antennas look as if they are detachable, but they’re not.) The 802.11n router (it’s 802.11n Draft 2 certified) also supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup security and works with the Mac OS.
Belkin also unveiled new Powerline networking adapters that will be useful to those who have dead spots in their homes that wireless can’t reach, as well as for videophiles who want to shuffle content from the Net to the TV. The $179.99 Powerline AV+ offers three Ethernet ports on its adapter—nice touch!—that enable you to connect up to three devices. Belkin says it can achieve transfer speeds of up to 200Mbps, which should tread your HD just fine. The company also introduced several additional Powerline adapters with single Ethernet ports on the adapter. The Powerline adapters will also be available in October.
For the past 15 years, Rik Fairlie has covered technology and the business of technology for numerous publications and Web sites. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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- Samsung, Sony in Wi-Fi Photo Frame Shootout
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- Wireless networking finally hits the ceiling
- Logitech tries to take network music player mainstream with Squeezebox Boom
- Canon, Epson add Wi-Fi to new multifunction printers
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- Wireless networking finally hits the ceiling
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