wireless

Secure your home wireless network

If you're curious about adding security to your wireless home network, check out our new security slide show, where I've posted some simple procedures such as changing the default password to your router, changing your SSID, adding WEP or WPA encryption, and, finally, whether you want to filter by MAC address devices (laptops, mobiles, and so forth) that have access your network. In this example I use a Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GS router plugged into a Dell XPS 600 desktop running Windows XP, but the basic steps can be modified for other routers and other Windows operating systems.

The George Hamilton of speakers

You'd think summer had already arrived, given the recent spate of frolick-worthy products ranging from pool-dwelling jellyfish to splash-proof LCDs, not to mention at least two types of iPod-enabled grills.

But if all you want to do is enjoy your music wirelessly in the open air--and feel good about it, ecologically--then something like the "Outdoor Wireless Solar Speaker" might be in order. This cord-free acoustic device can work up to 150 feet from your stereo or computer, lasting as long as eight hours after each solar charge.

Just be sure that your microwave and land lines don'… Read more

Verizon, Sprint announce RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition

Today, Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion officially announced the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, a dualmode CDMA/GSM smart phone designed for those who frequently travel overseas for business or pleasure. Like the Samsung SCH-i730, the 8830 comes with a SIM card and automatically switches between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming. This allows you to get voice coverage in 157 countries (22 of those on CDMA) and e-mail coverage in 62 countries. The device is also EV-DO-capable, so you'll be able to enjoy faster data transfer speeds.

Aside from the dualmode functionality, the 8830 … Read more

AT&T wants you to work your thumbs

Not to be outdone by the competition, Cingular/AT&T Wireless is now offering a package of unlimited texts, video, picture and IM messages for about $20 per month.

AT&T Wireless is also offering a package that includes the unlimited messaging along with unlimited Media Net and Cingular Video. That bundle will run about $40 per month.

These new packages come on the heels of AT&T already cutting global data rates. Unfortunately, it looks like these new bundles are available only for new customers.

Hacking wireless pointers, mice and keyboards

VANCOUVER, B.C.--If your slides inexplicably fast-forward during your next presentation, it may be because Luis Miras is in the room.

Miras, a vulnerability researcher and reverse-engineering specialist, has been studying wireless presenting tools, mice and keyboards to see if it's possible to sniff traffic and insert data. So far he has been successful with the clickers used in PowerPoint presentations.

"It is possible to own someone live during a presentation if they are using a wireless presenter," he said during a talk at the CanSecWest security event here Thursday.

For his hack, Miras used a $… Read more

Wireless showdown in Chicago

Chicago is shaping up to be a hotbed for new wireless services. The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that EarthLink and AT&T are duking it out for a contract to build a citywide Wi-Fi network. Meanwhile, the city is also going to be one of the first places to get Sprint Nextel's new WiMax service.

The story, which quotes executives from AT&T, EarthLink and city officials, says that Sprint's service is unlikely to compete with the planned Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi signals travel for blocks, while WiMax signals travel for miles. WiMax also provides service when … Read more

With a Wi-Fi aquarium, you can always find Nemo

Ever wish you didn't have to get your hands anywhere near those icky-smelling flakes of fish food? Well, here's an answer to your problem. An Egyptian professor, Mohamad Abou El-Nasr, won third prize at last week's Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif. for creating a home aquarium that allows the owner to remotely control it from anywhere in the world. With the Wi-Quarium, you can adjust the heat, water filter, and lights in the tank, as well as feed the fish on command. You can also watch them on a webcam and obtain e-mail reports of … Read more

Lexmark unveils five new consumer-oriented inkjet printers

Lexmark announced today five new additions to its inkjet printer lineup, two of which include wireless networking. The new printers range from basic, single-function offerings to multifunctions suitable for multiuser environments.

- Z1300--the Z1300 is a $25 basic printer that offers 22ppm black and 16ppm color. It uses a two-tank ink system (black and CMY), with an optional three-color photo tank for six-color photo prints.

- X2500--the X2500 is a color 3-in-1 printer (print, scan, copy). The $60 unit offers 22ppm black and 16ppm color printing (in draft mode).

- Z1420--the $80 Z1420 is a single-function printer that offers both … Read more

Verizon goes unlimited

Warm up those thumbs, because Verizon Wireless announced today new plans offering unlimited text, picture, video, and instant messaging to anyone on any network in the United States.

America's Choice Select, one of the new plans, will start at about $60 for 450 daytime minutes. This is about a $20 premium from the basic service. The family plan will cost about $30 more than the basic service.

On Friday, we got most of the details right. There's no unlimited V Cast service, which is a bit disappointing.

Will Verizon offer a new all-in package?

There have been multiple reports on the Web that Verizon Wireless will offer a package with unlimited texts, picture messages, and their V Cast service starting April 15.

Representatives from Verizon haven't confirmed or denied this, but Engadget Mobile said "it appears that the single line plans cost about $20 more and family share plans start at $99.99 for 700 minutes."

This package is a good way to take advantage of phones like the Samsung SCH-u740 because you could text until your fingers bleed. And while some may scoff at paying that much for texting, it'… Read more