Netgear announces a MIMO
router
Netgear Pre-N Wireless Router
The product: Multiple-input multiple-output technology, or MIMO, is slated for Netgear's new Pre-N Wireless Router, due out this spring. The router will be fully interoperable with 802.11b and 802.11g gear but will offer substantially increased throughput and range when used with other Netgear MIMO-enabled products. The product is designed to deliver an expansive coverage area and should be well suited for large homes and small office buildings. In many cases, Netgear's new router should eliminate the need for complex setups with multiple access points and wireless repeaters. Other new features and key specs include:

• Seven smart MIMO antennae
• 127 unique antenna patterns
• WPA security
• MAC address filtering
• Four-port Ethernet switch

The price: Netgear plans to offer its Pre-N router at an estimated street price of $149.

The prospects: The highly anticipated 802.11n spec won't be finalized for at least a year, but MIMO, one of its most powerful components, is already working its way into the products of 2005. Belkin, Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear are now all riding the MIMO bandwagon. Expect to see the networking market heat up with MIMO-capable products in the coming year.

By Allen Fear, senior editor, CNET Reviews