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.
