Flip video cameras to get Wi-Fi?

Posted in Camcorders by Conner Flynn on November 19th, 2009

Flip video cameras to get Wi-Fi?Flip cameras are all the rage and have been for the last year or two. And rumor has it that they have a new feature in the works. Your old buddy Wi-Fi.

It’s just a rumor, but it makes sense to have Wi-Fi on a convenient camera like the Flip so you can upload videos to YouTube or elsewhere. Plus you would probably be able to watch other videos on it as well. At any rate, they had better add new features if they want to compete. So we think this one is very likely to be true.

Free public Wi-Fi for one UK town

Posted in News by Conner Flynn on November 17th, 2009

Free public Wi-Fi for one UK townLooks like a major Wiltshire town is buzzing with excitement as they are about to become the first in the UK to be able to enjoy free public wireless internet access. Swindon Borough Council plans for all 186,000 citizens to soon be swaddled under a blanket “Wi-Fi mesh” by April 2010.

With no connection charge while line rentals are free. The service will be called Signal, but here’s the catch. You will have limited access unless you pay for 20Mb upgrades. The fee is said to be “significantly less” than current broadband suppliers.

Motorola launches digi-frames with dual displays, Wi-Fi

Posted in Digital Photo Frames by Conner Flynn on October 28th, 2009

Motorola launches digi-frames with dual displays, Wi-FiMotorola is offering up some new digital photo frames, including dual display frames and a Wi-Fi model that lets you send images directly to the frame by email. The LS1000W has a 10.4-inch display, with 512 MB of built-in memory, an MP3 player and speakers, an alarm clock and calendar function. The £200 frame has Wi-Fi connectivity and content from the thousand FrameChannel online channels that can be viewed on the device including internet radio.

The £80 LS420 Duo on the other hand offers two 4.2-inch displays, one of which can be used to view calendar and clock info. The LS720D offers the same, but with larger 7-inch displays and MP3 playback, speakers and a remote control for £130.

Wi-Fi bracelet tracks kids and Grandmas

Posted in Wi-Fi by Conner Flynn on October 15th, 2009

Wi-Fi bracelet tracks kids and GrandmasEkahau’s T301W Wi-Fi Bracelet will tell you exactly where the person is who is wearing it. And it doesn’t use GPS. Instead it uses Wi-Fi. But the T301W only works on preconfigured Wi-Fi networks that are coupled with additional beacons. Basically you build your own Wi-Fi triangulation network in a small area.

That may not be the best option for you, but it’s a neat idea. For $60 you get a waterproof wristband that operates up to a month between recharges. Hospitals can track patients, family members can locate one another at an amusement park etc.

WiFi bathroom scale arrives in the U.S.

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on October 1st, 2009

WiFi bathroom scale arrives in the U.S.Withings just announced that the world’s first WiFi-enabled bathroom scale is making its way to the States after a few months in leaner countries. It’s ready to be jumped on and broken in two, but it will try it’s best to stand up to your fast food loving girth.

When you stand on it, the scale automatically records your body weight, lean and fat mass and calculates your body mass index (BMI) to a secure webpage. If you prefer to use your iPhone, it will do the same with a Withings iPhone app. Will this be the trick to that long elusive svelte physique you’ve been wanting?

Borders to offer free Verizon Wi-Fi

Posted in Verizon by Shane McGlaun on September 30th, 2009

borderslogo-sgMost of the large bookstores have very common offerings when you go inside. There is usually a snack bar with expensive coffee and free Wi-Fi to lure you into spending time inside the store. Barnes & Noble and AT&T do this with their free Wi-Fi offering.

Borders and Verizon announced today that they were teaming up to offer free in-store Wi-Fi to customers. The offering will have a custom splash page when people log on that will offer info on new books and specials.

Bug Labs releases Wi-Fi base

Posted in Wi-Fi by Conner Flynn on September 22nd, 2009

Bug Labs releases Wi-Fi baseIf you like Bug Labs open source gadget hardware kit that was launched two years ago, you probably had one complaint. That the main base lacked built-in Wi-Fi. Well, good news. Bug Labs are addressing that issue with the BUGbase WiFi.

The base allows you to add smaller modules and create the gadget of your choice and it now has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. That means you can now build wireless gadgets using the Base, the available modules and Bug Labs’ SDK. If you already have a BUGbase, they are also releasing a BUGWiFi module to add Wi-Fi to your current Bug gadgets.

LG N2R1 Wi-Fi NAS

Posted in NAS by Conner Flynn on September 10th, 2009

LG N2R1 Wi-Fi NASLG’s latest N2R1 NAS device is set to arrive this fall in 1TB and 2TB capacities and should prove to be a good alternative to the Time Capsule from Apple since they occupy the same price points as Apple with the same amount of storage.

The difference is that LG’s version is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac, which makes drive swapping easy. It should be DLNA-compliant, with a network-sharable DVD player/RW. It uses 802.11g instead of 802.11n. They will cost you $299 and $399 respectively.

Wi-Fi TV concept

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on July 26th, 2009

Wi-Fi TV conceptForget the fact that this thing looks like some hopped up PSP wearing bright orange sunglasses. The extremely eye-catching WiFi Tv is basically a handheld internet television that is designed to access on-demand TV services that are available on the internet.

The idea is that TV shows and films can be streamed straight from the internet to the 6-inch touchscreen display. It boasts two slide-out speakers that supposedly provide a comfortable hand position, though we don’t see it. There’s even storage for Bluetooth headphones and a charging point.

Verizon and Sprint to add WiFi to Blackberries

Posted in BlackBerry by Conner Flynn on July 10th, 2009

Sprint requiring WiFi on future smartphonesA common complaint about the BB Tour is that it doesn’t have Wi-Fi. Well, Sprint Nextel has revealed that it plans to add Wi-Fi to the BlackBerry Tour starting in 2010, and will begin to require that all its future smartphones come with Wi-Fi. Sprint didn’t say exactly when this requirement will be reflected across its entire line-up of devices, but Wi-Fi is definitely coming.

Verizon Wireless also admitted that it will begin adding Wi-Fi to its BlackBerry line-up in the future, but it didn’t give a timeframe. As you know Wi-Fi is absent on devices such as the current 9630 Tour and 9530 Storm.

LG’s WiFi-enabled, DivX-friendly BD390 Blu-ray player

Posted in Blu-ray by Conner Flynn on May 19th, 2009

lg_bd390-blu-ray-deckLG has released the world’s first DivX HD 1080p certified player, the BD390. The player debuted at CES earlier this year and is now making its way out to consumers. It features an 802.11n Wi-Fi module and support for DivX streaming from a DLNA server.

Priced at $399.95, the LG BD390 also features BD-Live support, a 7.1-channel audio output, a 1GB of built-in memory, and a USB 2.0 socket.

SlingPlayer for iPhone: $30, WiFi only

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Conner Flynn on May 12th, 2009

SlingPlayer for iPhone: $30, WiFi onlyThe SlingPlayer app for iPhone will finally be available tomorrow. There has been a lot of discussion as whether or not AT&T (or other carriers) would let this bandwidth sucking app use their networks. Well, looks like the carriers had it their way and the Slingplayer app will work only with WIFI on iPhone.

If you want to use SlingPlayer on 3G, you’ll need a Blackberry or any other smartphone. AT&T complains that SlingPlayer would bring its wireless network down, while they’ve been trying to push their bandwidth-hog services like AT&T mobile TV. Which costs $30 per month. Thanks but no thanks.

Ball Pen with Wi-Fi detector

Posted in Wi-Fi by Conner Flynn on April 22nd, 2009

Ball Pen with Wi-Fi detectorHere’s another useful device to have in your pocket. The “Ball Pen With Wi-Fi Detector”. This tiny ball pen will help you find a good signal and choose the best place to get access to the internet. Armed with this pen, you will Always find the best Wi-Fi networks.

It integrates an 802.11B and G Wi-Fi detector and strength meter in the form of 4 LEDs. Just push the button and the pen will automatically search for a nearby Wi-Fi hotspot. The pen really is mightier than the sword. I’ve never seen a sword do that.

Bluetooth SIG officially adopts Bluetooth 3.0

Posted in Bluetooth by Shane McGlaun on April 22nd, 2009

bluetooth30-sb1Bluetooth has become one of the most important wireless specifications on the market. We find Bluetooth in all sorts of devices today from printers and cell phones to computer mice and more. The Bluetooth SIG has been working for a long time on the newest Bluetooth specification known as Bluetooth 3.0.

This week the Bluetooth SIG officially adapted the Bluetooth 3.0 specification officially called Bluetooth Core Specification Version 3.0 + High Speed. The new specification boosts speeds by linking traditional Bluetooth with an 802.11 radio allowing for up to 24Mbps of data transmission.

WiFi BlackBerry Storm 2 coming to Verizon in September

Posted in BlackBerry by Conner Flynn on April 6th, 2009

Blackberry StormLooks like your Storm 2 wishlist just got an item slashed off. SlashGear has a source that they are pretty confident in, who says that the successor to BlackBerry’s touchscreen smartphone will add WiFi support for faster web browsing. It’s one of the smartphone’s biggest criticisms.

The source also dropped some hints that there are other surprises on the horizon but there are no specifics. Look for a release sometime in September on Verizon.





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