LED light bulbs as wireless access points |
Researchers at Boston University believe they can combine LED bulbs with wireless networking technology. The technology will be able to communicate data using light at speeds up to 10Mbps, and can even be adapted to existing power lines. Interestingly, the bulbs will use the same diode for lighting the room and providing the network connection, flickering “like tremendously fast signal lights.” They seem pretty lit up about it.
The researchers are working on the project in conjunction with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of New Mexico, thanks to a $18.5m grant from the US National Science Foundation. The researchers don’t have full working models yet, but they believe it’s totally workable. I have to wonder if this would have any adverse effects on humans, especially those who are light sensitive and prone to seizures.

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Here’s an odd one from Nikon, but it’s no camera. The Media Port UP300 and UP300x video headset aims to be a wearable computer. The device basically looks like a pair of headphones with a small display, but has some nice specs. It features up to 8GB of flash memory for videos, music and file storage, Wi-Fi, and even, get this, a full internet browser.
Porsche is a name associated with two things, style and speed. The new P’9522 arguably has plenty of style (though I don’t see it), but it sports a Wi-Fi web connection instead of a 3G network.
Packard Bell is trying to up it’s “street art” cred with the announcement of their latest power-packed gaming notebook called the iPower GX. It’s powered by a Intel Core 2 Quad Q9100 processor and has an nVidia 9800M GTS 1GB video card, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution display, Draft-N Wi-Fi connectivity, an optional Blu-ray drive and an interesting urban street art design. The Packard Bell iPower GX will be available this October for approximately 1499 Euros.
I hear ya. The Wii and DS already have Wi-Fi. True, but this device is a Wi-Fi router/bridge for those who don’t have wireless networks. Even when you do have a wireless network, it can be a pain to get your Wii set up depending on your provider. The device will be available in Japan on September 18th for $53.
Palm released a pair of official press photos of the Treo Pro and a video of the handset in action. They didn’t say a whole lot. Here’s what we know: the Treo Pro smartphone has a one-touch Wi-Fi button for wi-fi kung fu action, GPS, Windows Mobile 6.1 OS and sports a high-resolution flush-fitting color touchscreen. Earlier leaks indicate that the Treo Pro will feature a 3.5mm headphone socket, 320×320 pixel display, microUSB connector and has a 400MHz processor. No price or date yet. Video below.
The rate at which Wi-Fi networks are popping up in homes and offices is impressive. To save money and to have less of an impact on the environment many of the components and accessories we use with our wireless networks and computers are going green.
Seeking a replacement solution to those old walkie-talkies you use around your large mansion has arrived in the form of some Wi-Fi enabled handsets. The Ascom i75 Messenger, though mainly targeted towards office and medical settings, could serve you well at home as well.





You can make your own long-distance WiFi accessory from various items, but Hawking Technologies has another option if hacking isn’t your thing. The Hi-Gain Wireless-300N is a high-gain dish adaptor that will hook up via USB and can apparently extend wireless range by up to 600-percent. Supporting WiFi in b, g and n, they also claim to give you up to twelve times the data.


