Smart Home News

SpectraLink announces dual-band enterprise Wi-Fi phones

(BOULDER, Co) SpectraLink today announced its next-generation Wi-Fi telephony handsets. The new NetLink 8000 Series handsets are said to be the first commercially available "enterprise-grade" handsets to support 802.11a, b and g WLANs. Additional enhancements include a slim, lightweight design and a larger display screen.

Two models are available: the basic NetLink 8020 Wireless Telephone, and the enhanced NetLink 8030 Wireless Telephone supporting SpectraLink's integrated push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities with 24 PTT channels plus a priority channel for emergency broadcast applications.

Wireless News

Ralink announces “long range” draft 11n chip

Wi-Fi chipset maker Ralink Technology today announced what it claims is the industry's "longest range" draft-802.11n Wi-Fi chipset. The company said its RT2800 chipset "doubles the range of high-performance wireless systems" through the use of patented, low-noise circuitry. Ralink also said the chipset is designed so that changes to the current draft-802.11n standard can be done via firmware upgrade.

Wireless News

Xirrus adds draft 11n upgrade guarantee, for a price

Wi-Fi Array maker Xirrus today announced the launch of the Xirrus 802.11n Upgrade Guarantee Program. The program provides customers with a pay-for 802.11n technology upgrade path on Arrays purchased in advance of the standard's ratification, which is expected sometime in 2008.

Xirrus said it can offer the upgrade due to the Array’s modular design. All RF components are located on modular printed circuit boards which can be replaced when 802.11n radio modules are available. An upgrade to an Array's firmware-based 802.11 MAC will also be required.

Wireless News

Atheros launches 802.11g PCI Express chip

Atheros Communications today announced the Atheros AR5007EG - a 802.11g PCI Express (PCIe) device that includes both low noise amplifier (LNA) and power amplifier (PA), in a low-cost, single-chip digital CMOS design.

The device is targeted at lowering the cost of adding 802.11b/g wireless connectivity to both notebook and desktop PCs. Its advantages include a 50 percent reduction in the printed circuit board cost and 25 percent reduction in rest of bill-of-materials (RBOM) component count over previous generation board designs.

Wireless News

Qualcomm to Acquire Airgo and Bluetooth Assets of RFMD

Qualcomm today announced that it will acquire for cash WLAN MIMO innovator Airgo Networks and the majority of RF Micro Devices' (RFMD's) Bluetooth assets. The announcement said the acquisitions are being made to "enhance Qualcomm's ability to deliver industry-leading, complete semiconductor solutions that will enable its device manufacturing partners to more quickly and easily offer a wide range of compelling wireless devices".

Wireless News

The Cloud Expands Metro-Scale Service to Continent

UK hotspot builder The Cloud is in talks with 30 cities: The company had previously announced their intent to unwire city centers in about 10 UK metropolitan areas; they already operate service in The City of London, the square mile famous for finance, as well as the newer Canary Wharf district. The new deals include Stuttgart, Germany, and Karlskrona, Sweden. The company says it is talking to many other towns, too.

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