D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $70

DLink SharePort DIR505 is a router  repeater  access point that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100

An April ship target may have come and gone, but that's not stopping D-Link -- the company's SharePort DIR-505 Mobile Companion is finally ready to join your side, beginning today. The $100 $70 pocketable WiFi-enabled hub can serve a variety of wireless functions, making it an ideal choice for road warrior types hopping from hotel to hotel while longing for just a hint of consistency. In router mode, the SharePort pumps out an 802.11g/n WiFi signal, converting a lone Ethernet hook-up to a shareable connection. There's also a nifty repeater mode, for those rare check-ins met with a spacious suite upgrade, where a single access point won't get the job done. Or, if you're covered on the connectivity front, you can use the DIR-505 to link your USB hard drive with the web -- or, if all else fails, it'll at least charge your smartphone. Ready to hand over a Benjamin in exchange for a slab of all-in-one wireless goodness? Jump past the break and hit up our source link to make your purchase.

Update: The press release references a $69.99 price tag, though the DIR-505 carries a list price of $99.99, which is what you'll pay if you order it directly from D-Link. The device is available through third parties (including Amazon and TigerDirect) for $70, however.

Update 2: D-Link representatives have confirmed a list price of $69.99. The headline and text above have been corrected to reflect this adjustment.

Continue reading D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $70

D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $70 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear melds 802.11ac WiFi with cable modem, gives us a cable gateway we’d actually like

Netgear melds 80211ac WiFi with cable modem, gives us a cable gateway we'd actually keep

If you're reading this, you're likely the sort who looks down on the hybrid cable modem and WiFi gateway your cable company foists upon you: it's like setting your wireless network in stone. Netgear is hoping to make that all-in-one experience a little more pleasurable by merging the best of two very fast worlds. It's planning to show a cable gateway (not pictured yet) that unites a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, no slouch in itself, with even speedier 802.11ac WiFi to share the connection in the home. The router side has all the familiar extras, such as DLNA media sharing, guest networks and shared USB storage, but it's clear the real perk is simply making sure the hundreds of megabits per second in bandwidth from that cable pipe carry through to your future laptops and tablets. Netgear hasn't said how close it might be to shipping the cable gateway, but it'll be showing the practical device at the ANGA Cable trade show this week -- along with a 1.2Gbps download, 320Mbps upload cable modem that could give even Google Fiber a run for its money.

Continue reading Netgear melds 802.11ac WiFi with cable modem, gives us a cable gateway we'd actually like

Netgear melds 802.11ac WiFi with cable modem, gives us a cable gateway we'd actually like originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple slips out new AirPort Express with simultaneous dual-band WiFi (update: photo!)

Apple slips out new AirPort Express with simultaneous dualband WiFi update photo!

Tucked in amidst talk of new MacBook Air and conventional MacBook Pro updates, Apple has trotted out a new AirPort Express. The new pocket WiFi router has a reworked design -- not unlike a white Apple TV -- as well as newfound support for simultaneous dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless. That's certainly good news if you want separate public and private hotspots when you're online at the hotel. The audio-out jack and USB 2.0 port are still there to share your sound or printing, and there's an extra Ethernet jack to feed wired devices. It's available now, and the $99 asking price certainly hits a sweet spot.

Apple slips out new AirPort Express with simultaneous dual-band WiFi (update: photo!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best sub-$200 super-powerful router?

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We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Richard, who needs a router capable of handling all of his not-inconsiderable household traffic. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I'm looking into buying a router than can handle Netflix streaming to my Blu-Ray player, a wireless printer, two smartphones, a tablet, an always-on desktop, external HDD and an Airave signal booster. My Linksys WRT45G can't handle two data-heavy connections at the same time, so I have to restart it when it drops. I'll need something hefty, but under $200 would be ideal, if it's got a USB 3.0 connection for my HDD, even better. Distance isn't as important as stability and capacity, since I've got a single-level 3 bedroom house. Thank you!"

Several of our staffers are fans of Netgear's N900, a dual-band unit that can certainly handle everything you'd care to throw at it, although it does only have USB 2.0 ports. There's always Amped's R20000G, but whilst we know its signal strength is good, we don't know how well it could handle a hefty load. But that's just our first thoughts, plenty of you out there will know the answer, so celebrate the long weekend and share your knowledge in the comments below.

Ask Engadget: best sub-$200 super-powerful router? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 22:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buffalo beats others to the 802.11ac WiFi punch, ships 1.3Gbps router and bridge

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As intrigued as we were by the Netgear R6300's high-bandwidth chops, it won't be the one to claim the early 802.11ac WiFi crown with a shipping product. That distinction is instead going to a Buffalo AirStation router and a matching bridge, both of which should be on shelves now. Either can hit the eye-watering 1.3Gbps peak speed of the standard if you get cozy on the 5GHz band -- and if you have a computer or mobile device that recognizes the spec, for that matter. The duo still has a more leisurely paced 2.4GHz, 450Mbps WiFi option as well as a quartet of Ethernet jacks if you prefer your gigabit speeds the old-fashioned way. Both the router and the bridge will set you back $180 each, so there's not much of a penalty versus high-end alternatives to satisfy your need for network speed.

Continue reading Buffalo beats others to the 802.11ac WiFi punch, ships 1.3Gbps router and bridge

Buffalo beats others to the 802.11ac WiFi punch, ships 1.3Gbps router and bridge originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 11:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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