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SpyLegend.com, the Online Reality Game that pits you against your real-life friends, has launched Operation: BlueSleuth. This mission, designed for you and two other agents also equipped with Bluetooth devices, consists of carrying out covert operations in a suburban environment. Objectives include successfully transferring a passcode between two agents and transmitting the details of a false identity to a fellow agent. During this mission, a counter-spy will be deployed to attempt to sabotage the assignment. Operation: BlueSleuth is entirely web-based. There are no downloads needed and anyone with a browser and Bluetooth device can play.
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| Operation: BlueSleuth
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Linksys WGA54AG Wireless Game Adapter
Posted by Oscar M. Cantu Categories: Video Games, Wireless / WiFi,
So you have a game system and a home wireless network and want to play your favorite console games online. Linksys has a new option for you, the Wireless A/G Game Adapter (WGA54AG). This game adapter is compatible with 802.11a, b, and g devices and works with the Playstation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube. This card also allows users to connect to their Windows Media Center PC from their Xbox if they own a Media Center Extender-enabled Xbox. The game adapter is available now at a M.S.R.P. of $129. Some of you may know that other such adapters exist, however none of them are 802.11a compatible. This means that possible lower prices will be soon available for the old cards. Time to take the wire off your console.
Read More | Linksys
Linksys has recently released their SRX enabled router and PC card line. What is unique about the Linksys WRT54GX router is that it supports 802.11g and 802.11b connections, and throws in SRX (Speed and Range eXpansion) technology which provides a speed boost which is up to 8 times faster than standard 802.11g connections with 3 times the range. What’s even better, you can mix 802.11b, 802.11g, and SRX devices all on the same network and they will all connect at their maximum respective speeds since the router has individual antennas for each speed.
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Their tagline says it all,“All your music. All over your house. All from the palm of your hand.” Starting with the basics, the Sonos unit is a wifi distribution system plus more. The zone players are also amplifiers, with speaker and line outs on the back of the unit. Bring it with you where you want it. On the back of the unit is a 4 port ethernet switch, but have no fear, it’s also wifi-enabled so the rj45’s aren’t mandatory. It will connect to up to 16 computers to be sure it has all your music. They also speak to other units wirelessly. You can listen to a song in multiple rooms with no echo or delay, or you can listen to multiple songs in multiple rooms. It will also stream internet radio station and allow for a line in connection from another audio device. 50watts per channel and it weighs 10lbs. It’s made of alluminum to keep it light and mobile. Add the Sonos desktop software and it links all your music together in the hot looking hand held controller. With an iPod styled control section and a 3.5” backlit LCD so you can browse your collection by Artist, Album, Genre, Track Name, Composer, or Playlist. You can build and edit playlists and setup multiple playlists for each zone. The Li-ION polymer battery will last for a week and only takes two hours to charge. As for the price, you can grab the Introductory Bundle which includes two zone player and the controller for a cool $1200 USD.
Read More | Sonos
Wireless Headphones for Your Zen Micro
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Wireless / WiFi,
Another development to come out of the CES this year is the new Creative Zen Micro wireless headphones. Using magnetic induction technology, the wireless headphones are able to produce stereo sound unlike previous RF and Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones used in cell phones. For a hefty tag of $149, you better have a real need for these, but the style points and cool factor are definitely there.
Read More | CNet
If you thought that 802.11g had an impressive range, check out MAXg from U.S. Robotics. The latest wireless devices allow a range of 225 feet, 802.11g has a range of 150 feet. MAXg is also 40 percent faster than 802.11g. The new MAXg product family is the first to combine all the latest performance and rage enhancements for the home or office. One of the greatest features is that it is able to offer all these new features to current devices that use 802.11g technology. MAXg uses BroadRange technology to allow a device to maintain a high-speed connection up to 50 percent further from an access point. The new product family line from U.S. Robotics will be available in Q1 2005. The following are the product list and its suggested retail price.
- Wireless MAXg Router (USR5461) – MSRP $69.99
- Wireless MAXg USB Adapter (USR5417) – MSRP $59.99
- Wireless MAXg PCI Adapter (USR5421) – MSRP $59.99
- Wireless MAXg PC Card (USR5411) – MSRP $59.99
- Wireless MAXg Wireless Access Point (USR5451) – MSRP $79.99
If you were thinking of upgrading your existing 802.11b network or setting up your first wireless network, this product family line is definitely worth looking out for.
Read More | U.S. Robotics
CES 2005 Opens This Week
Posted by Hector Martinez Categories: Cameras, Smartphones, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Software, Video Games, Wireless / WiFi,
Pretty soon, we’re going to be flooded with lots of news on all the new gear products coming out later this year and beyond. It’s because the annual Consumer Electronics Show opens up this week in Las Vegas. The show runs January 6-9, and features a messload of exhibits showcasing the latest in everything from BlueTooth technology to home theatre to WiFi. Some of the major products that debuted in past CES shows include plasma TV’s, HDTV, CD’s and DVD’s. It’s just huge, with some 129,000 attendees. Special events to look out for this year include a pre-show keynote speech by Bill Gates, and a show-floor gaming competition. Speaking of games, PSXExtreme reports that details on the Sony PSP’s US launch, pricing, and titles will all be revealed at the show.
The administration at Las Vegas’s McCarran International Airport have decided to grant its travelers free Wi-Fi service. The seventh largest destination irport in the country, McCarran will install the Wi-Fi and allow users to simply open their laptops and connect. In contrast, Raleigh-Durham International Airport has hired Cingular to install wireless, and will charge ten dollars per 24 hour period or fifty dollars per ten 24-hour connections.
This split decision by the two airports shows both sides of a national debate over wireless internet; should it be free, or should we have to pay for it? Having recently traveled through several large airports and having spent some time in layover, I wished I could log-on to the internet for a quick check of the e-mail, but the only airport offering wireless was Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and it cost five dollars per hour.
In additions to airports, several coffee shops and restaurants now offer free wireless internet to their patrons. Recently, I visited a Taco Bell with a free wireless hotspot! Now that’s technology.
Read More | TechWeb
Now this is something I can really sink my teeth into. I have Vonage broadband phone service at my house and I absolutely love it. For $24.99 a month I can make unlimited calls to anywhere in the US and Canada. Now Vonage is preparing to offer wireless VOIP services. Using any standard 802.11b network, users can use this phone to make calls on their vonage account. How cool is that?
Read More | EE Times
I wish I lived near Philadelphia again, and I don’t mean just for the cheesesteak. It seems that city officials are gearing up some $10 million to install a city-wide WiFi network that will be either free or “very low cost.” Other cities have already launched similar, but more limited offerings. As with any good development, this CNN article makes sure the “naysayer” voices his objections. Derek Kerton, founder of a wireless consulting firm, argues that a city-wide WiFi would interfere with other local WiFi spots and frequencies from items like microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones. I guess time will tell, but I have more faith that things can iron themselves out over time.
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