wireless

Canon's new dSLRs get some new accessories

In conjunction with the Canon EOS 40D and 1Ds Mark III announcements, Canon also let loose with some new lenses and accessories.

At the high end, intimidating all the other lenses, sits the EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM, a $2,199 prime lens optimized for use with the 1Ds Mark III. Among other things, it's got improved dust-proofing and weatherproofing around the lens mount, and a round aperture (for a more natural depth-of-field blur). Canon says it's sharper than the original in the corners as well as the center, and that the increase to two aspherical … Read more

Google's bid for open wireless

Two years ago, Google partnered with Earthlink to offer a plan for San Francisco to provide free wireless access without dipping into the municipal budget. The City bit and today, San Franciscan's are still waiting for their wifi. Rumor has it that the deal has been killed by Earthlink, but according to a recent Guardian article Google's interest in wireless internet is still very much alive.

As part of the Coalition for 4G that also includes Intel, Skype and Yahoo, Google has successfully lobbied the FCC to change the way a portion of the airwaves are sold.… Read more

FCC find: CDMA-lovin' HTC Iris S640

Let's be honest here. If you're a Sprint or Verizon Wireless customer, you must feel a slight twinge of envy as companies steadily churn out cool GSM-only smart phones like the HTC Cavalier S630 and Nokia N95, while leaving the CDMA network in the cold. But there, there, don't fret; the smart phone manufacturers haven't forgotten about you. In fact, the FCC has just approved a device called the HTC Iris S640, a Windows Mobile 6 smart phone with integrated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and EV-DO support. It's also said that the candy bar-style handset will have … Read more

T-Mobile prepping VoIP service?

T-Mobile may be extending its Hotspot@Home service to offer voice over IP for fixed-line users.

The company is working with Linksys to make a router that integrates home phone lines into the service along with providing VoIP service over cell phones, according to recently filed documents with the Federal Communications Commission.

In June, T-Mobile launched its Hotspot@Home service, which allows T-Mobile cell phone subscribers to transfer calls seamlessly between the T-Mobile cellular network and a Wi-Fi hot spot in the home. The service is being offered for an introductory rate of $9.99 for a single cell phone. … Read more

Apple updates Airport Extreme Base Station with Gigabit Ethernet

Apple announced today a new feature on its 802.11n-based Airport Extreme Base Station. Its Ethernet ports have all been upgraded to Gigabit Ethernet. Sadly, it still offers only three LAN ports, whereas most wireless routers offer four. Otherwise, it's basically the same product we reviewed, at the same price point.

At CES, watch out for wireless high-def TV

At the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, Samsung showed off a plasma TV that got data from an 802.11(n) link.

At CES in January 2008, you should expect to see a lot of TVs demoed with WirelessHD, a wireless protocol with a lot more bandwidth.

That's the world from John LeMoncheck, president and CEO of SiBeam, the chip company that has devised the spec and will come out with chips based on it. (I spoke to him a few days ago at the AlwaysOn Stanford Summit). Several consumer electronics manufacturers will likely show off TVs and … Read more

Monster debuts Wireless Bridge for iPod

Add one more item to the list of upscale iPod accessories. The Monster Wireless Audio Bridge for iPod effectively turns the Apple music player into a remote control, using a small snap-on dongle to wirelessly transmit the audio stream from the player to the base station, which in turn attaches to your home stereo. The base station boasts a modernist Bang & Olufsen-style design, and Monster pledges that the proprietary 2.4GHz wireless system works at ranges up to 30 feet. If the Wireless Audio Bridge concept sounds familiar, it's because it's very similar to Belkin's TuneStage products, … Read more

FCC backs some 'open' wireless requirements

WASHINGTON--In a partial political win for Google, federal regulators on Tuesday ruled that whoever buys a portion of a prime chunk of wireless spectrum must allow Americans to use whatever mobile devices and applications they please.

As expected, the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday approved that requirement as part of broader rules governing an auction of the coveted 700 mHz band set to occur by next year.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said he was "committed to ensuring that the fruits of wireless innovation swiftly pass into the hands of consumers." He added that he recognizes the rules are … Read more

Verizon and AT&T compete for wireless subscribers

A heated battle is brewing between AT&T and Verizon Wireless, the No. 1 and No.2 cell phone operators in the U.S., as they duke it out for new cell phone subscribers. And things will likely only get more intense as AT&T ramps up iPhone sales.

On Monday, Verizon Wireless, which is jointly owned by Verizon Communications and European cell phone company Vodafone, announced it had added 1.3 million net customers to its roster for the second quarter of 2007. Meanwhile AT&T, which reported earnings last week, racked up 1.5 million … Read more

Toshiba's docking station without wires

Rounding out this week's wireless USB news is Toshiba and its Wireless UWB Port Replicator.

The Portege R400 series is one of Toshiba's high-end laptops (with a twisty screen!), which can now be paired with a wireless port replicator docking station that needs no cables to connect with peripherals like a printer, monitor, projector, mouse or external hard drive.

The dock uses an ultrawideband technology that will stream uncompressed video wirelessly to a monitor at 1280X1024 resolution. It's available now for $499 and can be purchased separately.

It's been a big week for Wireless USB. Earlier … Read more