TechieGroups

 Las Vegas: Networking hardware specialist Netgear has unveiled a range of devices which seek to improve the performance of home office and consumer networks.

The company gave details on a series of home routers and storage devices which will be aimed at connecting multiple devices and platforms through the home network.

Among the new arrivals will be the Media Storage Router. Combining a traditional wireless router with networked storage, the device allows users to remotely back up and share important data and media files wirelessly. The device will support Apple’s Time Machine platform as well as the Netgear Readyshare Vault tools.

“You get complete connectivity, and at the same time you get storage to protect the data that you cherish the most,” said David Henry, vice president of product management for Netgear’s retail business unit.

In addition to dual-band Wi-Fi, the router will offer a pair of USB 3.0 ports for wired connections. Maximum internal storage for the device will be 2TB.

To help users better manage their wireless networks, Netgear is expanding its Genie control console. The addition of Netgear Genie for mobile applications will allow users to manage settings through their handsets, controlling operations such as parental controls and device blocking.

Other planned enhancements to the router line include the addition of support for .11AC and Powerline connections which will bring maximum performance for both protocols over the 1Gb/s range.

For users looking to extend the reach of their wireless networks, Netgear has developed a universal wireless range extender. Designed to eliminate “dead spots” in Wi-Fi coverage, the device can be used to amplify wireless strength in remote locations.

Other updates include an N900 adapter designed for use with gaming consoles and a refresh for the NeoTV box which will add support for Hulu Plus.

Henry said that the new range of devices was designed to equip home networks for a growing range and number of devices. With households increasingly looking to connect six or more wireless devices at a time, the company sees a need for extending capacity and compatibility.

“What we need is a network upgrade,” Henry explained.

“The demands on the network and the challenges are definitely new, so the network has to evolve as well.”

PERIPHERAL MAKER Logitech has made a wireless mouse especially for use with tablet devices running Google’s Android 3.1 Honeycomb operating system.

You might be wondering why the mouse is specifically for tablets and we wondered the same thing. The only answer is that the mouse uses Bluetooth connectivity without a USB dongle.

Logitech has creatively named it the Tablet Mouse for Android 3.1+ and said, “Make your tablet work for you with our first-ever mouse made for Android tablets.”

Logitech hasn’t told us why the mouse won’t work on Android versions lower than 3.1. The mouse uses a laser for tracking, which won’t work on glass or mirrors, and is powered by two AA batteries.

Some tablets do come with full size USB slots so you can plug in a wired mouse or keyboard if you wish but others don’t, such as the Motorola’s Xoom, so this could actually be handy. That is if you want to use a mouse on an operating system that is designed for touch control.

The mouse has left and right buttons and a scroll wheel meaning you can scroll up and down, as you’d expect. Bluetooth allows you to use the mouse up to 30 feet away from the tablet, where you presumably can’t see the screen, let alone the cursor.

The Tablet Mouse for Android 3.1+ is available now for .99 and looks remarkably like Logitech’s V470 wireless mouse which retails for less. But let us also not forget that the mouse comes with a protective case. µ

NETWORK KIT MAKER Netgear has released a dual band wireless router claiming up to 750Mbps throughput.

Netgear’s N750 wireless router is the firm’s top of the range model that operates on both 802.11n 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands with 300Mbps and 450Mbps throughput respectively. Netgear says that the router can operate on both bands simultaneously. offering an aggregate throughput of up 750Mbps.

Netgear says that by using the 5GHz frequency band the N750 can provide “smoother, more consistent streaming to newer laptops, video game consoles and other dual-band wireless N [802.11n] devices for a superior user experience”, as there is less interference than the 2.4GHz band. Aside from its impressive turn of speed, Netgear also highlights support for parental controls, DLNA server support and a USB port that allows files from connected devices to be streamed over the network.

Som Pal Choudhury, director of product marketing at Netgear said, “No wireless router on the market today is faster or better prepared to deliver these next-generation online experiences to everyone in the family than the N750.”

Netgear hasn’t announced pricing for its N750 dual band wireless router yet, however over in the US it sells for around 0 (£91), so expect it to be priced at around the £100 mark when it finally tips up in the UK. µ

NETWORK KIT MAKER Netgear has released a dual band wireless router claiming up to 750Mbps throughput.

Netgear’s N750 wireless router is the firm’s top of the range model that operates on both 802.11n 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands with 300Mbps and 450Mbps throughput respectively. Netgear says that the router can operate on both bands simultaneously. offering an aggregate throughput of up 750Mbps.

Netgear says that by using the 5GHz frequency band the N750 can provide “smoother, more consistent streaming to newer laptops, video game consoles and other dual-band wireless N [802.11n] devices for a superior user experience”, as there is less interference than the 2.4GHz band. Aside from its impressive turn of speed, Netgear also highlights support for parental controls, DLNA server support and a USB port that allows files from connected devices to be streamed over the network.

Som Pal Choudhury, director of product marketing at Netgear said, “No wireless router on the market today is faster or better prepared to deliver these next-generation online experiences to everyone in the family than the N750.”

Netgear hasn’t announced pricing for its N750 dual band wireless router yet, however over in the US it sells for around 0 (£91), so expect it to be priced at around the £100 mark when it finally tips up in the UK. µ

GADGET MAKER Zomm has confirmed that its multi-purpose mobile phone accessory, the Wireless Leash, will be available in the UK for £69.95.

If you worry about losing your phone or you tend to lose your phone, then worry no more. Zomm’s Wireless Leash will be coming to the UK after selling well in the US. The Wireless Leash is a key ring style device that you tether to your mobile phone via Bluetooth to stop you from losing it.

When you walk a certain customisable distance away from your phone a series of flashing lights, alarm sounds and vibrating alerts will warn you that you’ve left your phone behind. This could also prove handy if someone tries to steal your phone.

It also has some other uses, too. The device contains a speaker and a noise cancelling microphone for hands free calls. It will notify you of an incoming call, which can be answered with a button on the gadget.

The device is also has an alarm function that can sound a ‘panic alarm’ if a button is held down. If this button is held down further, the device uses your phone to dial a user defined emergency number, like 999 in the UK or 911 in the US.

The Wireless Leash, which is about the same size as a £2 coin, comes in black, white or pink and won the Best of Innovation award at this years consumer electronics show (CES). The gadget uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts up to three days and can be charged via micro USB. µ

Well, it's official – Verizon is getting the iPhone 4. The Apple/Verizon relationship developed over the last two years. The two companies began technical discussions starting in 2008 about bringing the iPhone to Verizon. The phone then spent a year in testing and design and starting early next month, the iPhone 4 will come to Verizon.

The Apple/Verizon relationship is formalized in a multi-year, non-exclusive agreement. However we have no additional details, including whether or not release schedules will be synchronized with AT&T.

At Verizon's press conference there's a lot mutual respect sharing between the two companies. It looks like there's a desire to establish that these two companies want to work together and will continue to going forward. 

Existing VZW customers will be able to pre-order the iPhone 4 online on February 3rd, 2010. A week later, on February 10th, everyone will be able to order the Verizon iPhone 4 both online and in Verizon stores as well as at the Apple store (both online and at physical stores).

The phone will sell for 9.99 for a 16GB version, and 9.99 for the 32GB version. The Verizon iPhone 4 will feature wireless hotspot capabilities allowing you to connect up to 5 devices to it over WiFi.

Verizon indicated that you wouldn't be able to use voice and data simultaneously, consistent with other CDMA devices on its network.

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More as we get it.

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