April 13, 2006, 4:51 PM PDT
More draft 802.11n networking products than you can shake a stick at!
Posted by: Felisa Yang

The networking community is abuzz! It's a frenzy of press releases and briefings. Everyone's announcing draft 802.11n products left and right, and we can barely keep up. So, in short order:

D-Link is calling its draft N family the RangeBooster N 650 because D-Link claims real-world performance of up to 650 percent faster than an 802.11g wireless connection. Products include the DIR-635 Router, the DWA-547 Desktop Adapter, and the DWA-645 Notebook Adapter. Prices on D-Link's site are as follows: $159.99 for the router; $99.99 for the notebook adapter; and $119.99 for the desktop adapter, making D-Link's the least expensive draft N offerings so far. Security features include dual firewalls (SPI and NAT), WPA and WEP, and VPN pass-through, as well as a 10/100 switch and backward compatibility with 11b/g products.

Netgear actually has a couple of product lines already. Last week, it announced the RangeMax Next Wireless Router (WNR854T) and Notebook Adapter (WN511T) Gigabit Edition. The gigabit Ethernet-enabled draft N-compliant chipset is provided by Marvell. We assume they'll eventually be sold separately, but for now, the router and card are available as a kit from e-tailers for an estimated price of $349. Today, Netgear announced the "regular" version of the RangeMax Next line, which includes a wireless router (WNR834B) and a notebook adapter (WN511B). The router is priced at $179 and the notebook adapter at $129. This line is based on Broadcom's Intensi-fi chipset, the same one used by Buffalo Technologies (also announced today). Security features include WEP, WPA-PSK, and WPA2-PSK and NAT and SPI firewalls. Netgear's press release also mentions other members of the RangeMax Next family, though none of these are on Netgear's Web site yet: an ADLS 2+ Modem Router with 10/100 Switch (DG834N), a wireless PCI adapter for desktop computers (WN311), and a wireless access point (WN802T).

We already talked about Buffalo here and are still waiting on Linksys's and Belkin's offerings. We are on tenterhooks here, waiting to get our paws on these products to let you know what you should spend your money on. None of these companies are guaranteeing that their products will be compliant with the final 802.11n specification, but they're being cautiously optimistic.

The really good news we're hearing is that the vendors are all leaning on the chip makers to make their chips interoperable, which means Netgear's router should play nice with Buffalo's adapters. We're keeping our fingers crossed. Check back soon for full reviews.

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April 13, 2006, 4:48 PM PDT
Averatec 17-incher costs less than $1,000
Posted by: Michelle Thatcher

Budget laptop maker Averatec has announced its first 17-inch wide-screen notebook, the 7100 series. The entertainment-oriented laptop weighs 7.2 pounds and inaugurates Averatec's new black-and-gray color scheme. The rest of the specs:

• AMD Sempron and Turion processors from 1.6GHz to 1.8GHz
• 512MB or 1GB (up to 2GB) RAM
• ATI Radeon Xpress 200M graphics
• WXGA+ display
• Hard drives from 80GB to 100GB
• Dual-layer DVD burner
• 802.11b/g wireless
• Integrated 5-in-1 media card reader

The most compelling spec of all, though, is the price tag: base configurations start at $849.

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April 13, 2006, 4:44 PM PDT
No, no, AOL can totally be trusted with your e-mail
Posted by: Molly Wood

So, you know how AOL has this new plan to start charging for guaranteed e-mail delivery? Well, it's now apparently blocking users from sending or receiving e-mails that point to an online petition against its plan. MoveOn.org says AOL started blocking e-mails that contain the URL "dearaol.com" sometime on Thursday. News.com said it tried sending a test to an AOL address and did indeed get a bounce, although I just sent the petition link to an AOL pal, and all seems to be well. Seems like AOL went ahead and fixed its "software glitch" when people started to notice the problem. Maybe it plans to use this little incident to further prove why it needs companies to pay extra to get their mail delivered. After all...you just never know!

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April 13, 2006, 4:41 PM PDT
TiVo wins big in patent case
Posted by: Molly Wood

Well, that was fast. A Texas jury has just awarded TiVo $73.9 million in damages and a fat new second wind in its patent-infringement lawsuit against EchoStar. Although analysts say EchoStar is likely to appeal, the ruling gives TiVo a chance at new life if it can build a business off licensing its time-shifting technology. TiVo's stock? She is up.

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April 13, 2006, 12:04 PM PDT
Sprint offers Family Locator GPS service
Posted by: Kent German

Sprint has sat up and noticed that cell phones are becoming all about families these days. After Disney Mobile announced its own family-oriented service last week at CTIA, Sprint today said it will start offering its new Family Locator service on 17 of its handsets. While using the service, Mom or Dad will be able to pinpoint their tyke's location on maps viewable on a compatible mobile or a computer. The map will show nearby street addresses and the estimated accuracy of the range in yards. Parents can also use Family Locator to send their child a text message when they're located ("Get your butt home!"), and they can program the service to send alerts, confirming their kids have arrived at a location. On the other end, kids are notified with an SMS when their parents pinpoint their location.

A similar GSP locator service will be a hallmark offering of Disney Mobile when the carrier commences service in June. Disney Mobile will rent space from Sprint as an MVNO (similar to Virgin Mobile), but Sprint's announcement is a signal that it wants to break into the family market as well. Although the maps will work only on the 17 handsets specifically compatible with Family Locator, parents can track up to four phone numbers on 30 Sprint or Nextel mobiles that are GPS enabled. GPS locators are now required by law, and the technology is also used by emergency operators for 911 calls.

Of course, the service will cost you, but the price is fair, at $9.99 per month. Family Locator is available now, and you can sign up on Sprint's Web site.

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April 13, 2006, 11:57 AM PDT
Buffalo Technologies releases draft 802.11n wireless networking family
Posted by: Felisa Yang

Earlier today, Buffalo Technologies announced the availability of its first draft 802.11n-compliant wireless networking family. Currently, the product line includes three offerings: the AirStation Nfiniti Wireless Router and Access Point (WZR-G300N), the AirStation Nfiniti Wireless PCI Adapter for desktop computers (WLI-PCI-G300N), and the AirStation Nfiniti Wireless Notebook Adapter (WLI-CB-G300N).

Draft 1.0 of the 802.11n specification was approved by Task Group N of the IEEE 802.11 committee back in January, and it adds specs such as MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) and compatibility with legacy 802.11b/g devices. The final 802.11n spec is expected to be approved sometime in 2007.

Buffalo's draft 802.11n family is based on Broadcom's Intensi-fi draft 802.11n chipset. The router is a combination router/access point and has a built-in DHCP server and a four-port 10/100 switch. The router also supports wireless distribution system (WDS), which allows for bridging and repeating in order to expand a wireless network. The full range of wireless networking security features is also supported: WPA, WEP, dynamic packet filtering and NAT firewall, intrusion detector, and SPI firewall. Buffalo's specs give a max throughput of 300Mbps; of course, real-world performance is usually lower than stated maximums and remain to be seen. (Check back for a full review!)

Buffalo provides a two-year limited warranty and toll-free 24/7 tech support for the AirStation Nfiniti family. The estimated street prices are $179 for the router and $129 for the notebook adapter. The PCI adapter will be available in May for an estimated price of $129. The router and PC Card are currently available for purchase at PC Connection.

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April 13, 2006, 11:54 AM PDT
A short Fuse
Posted by: Wayne Cunningham

The Scion Fuse concept unveiled at the New York Auto Show features a radical shape, a flexible interior design, and futuristic electronics. With its Scion brand, Toyota showed that it could take successful risks. When Toyota announced it would unveil a new sport coupe concept at the New York Auto Show, I was thinking, "You've already got a sport coupe, the tC." But the Fuse, with its almost trucklike profile, could sit alongside the tC in Scion's model lineup without intruding on its turf. The concept earns its name (short for Fusion, since that was taken) by having a body that takes cues from the xB but sits on a tC platform. I also suspect Toyota engineers wanted to confront the challenge of making a sport coupe with headroom for rear passengers, something they didn't bother with on the tC. In good concept fashion, the doors, opened by a small, exterior push button, butterfly out. The inside is designed for flexibility, where all seats but the driver's can fold flat, maximizing cargo space. The dashboard is one long display that can show vehicle and entertainment information, as well as videos. The wheels have LEDs on their spokes, which light up as turn signals, and the headlight color can actually be customized.

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April 13, 2006, 11:52 AM PDT
Google Calendar beta arrives
Posted by: Elsa Wenzel

Rumors about Google's plans for an online calendar service have circulated for more than a year. Today, Google Calendar beta went public, sporting an uncluttered interface and the potential for users to mash it up to their liking. Yahoo Calendar is the leading service in this space, but an open application programming interface (API) isn't available--yet. The AJAX-based Google Calendar beta already works with XML and iCal standards. Not only can you create multiple calendars, you can also import them from Microsoft Outlook.

Your own Google Calendar is private by default, but you can open it up for strangers or friends. Say your favorite art gallery, theater, or book club uses a compatible calendar service. You could instantly add their events within your personal Google Calendar so that you won't miss the latest parties around town. This service is also designed to flag events within Gmail messages in case you'd like to ink them into your calendar. Color coding helps to keep things straight. You can export your schedule via RSS, then read the feeds from a third-party newsreader.

Similar to Outlook and Evite, Google Calendar beta also lets you send invitations to anyone--even to people who don't use Gmail. Event reminders, including SMS updates, are designed to keep you on your toes. Can't remember a lunch date? Search the calendar fields.

See the full story and video demonstration here.

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April 13, 2006, 11:32 AM PDT
What does VW marketing say about you?
Posted by: Wayne Cunningham

Volkswagen wants you to know that 92 percent of Jetta owners go snorkeling. And that Jetta owners are 40 percent less likely to get separated or divorced. And that 29 percent of these very same owners recycle. It's all part of Volkswagen's marketing campaign for the Jetta, displayed on large, freestanding posters at its New York Auto Show booth. I thought these stats were pretty odd and wondered what happens when a couple sells their Jetta. Do problems start cropping up that never appeared before? Does one member of the couple start having affairs? What magic does the Jetta exert to keep these troubles in abeyance? It's probably the snorkeling. If the Jetta makes most people spend all their time underwater, they can't spend a lot of time arguing. Volkswagen promises to offer more statistics such as these at The Jetta Report.

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April 13, 2006, 11:30 AM PDT
Suzuki SX4 rally car
Posted by: Wayne Cunningham

Fast on the heels of its SX4 launch, Suzuki showed off the new four-wheel-drive off-roader in rally trim. I first saw the SX4 at the Geneva Auto Show and thought it would be a perfect car for the United States. Suzuki must have been reading my mind (or way ahead of me, which is more likely), because the company introduced the SX4 for the U.S. market. With a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system, it looks like a pretty good car for dirt roads and the snow. Suzuki must think so too, as it showed off the rally version, which would compete with legends such as the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces 320 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, which, considering the car's light weight, should really make it move.

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