Hasta La Gadget!

When Netgear teased a next-generation cable gateway with 802.11ac WiFi, it seemed like a natural fit: WiFi that was a perfect complement to 100Mbps-plus internet speeds. Its new D6300 (not pictured here) isn’t necessarily in quite in such equilibrium, depending on just who you have as an internet provider. The hardware is billed as the first ADSL modem and router combo with 802.11ac built-in, but you’ll need to use the gigabit Ethernet WAN jack with a fiber or cable internet link to get the most out of that fast wireless at home — stick to the ADSL2+ and you’ll face the wonderfully lopsided combination of a 1.3Gbps WiFi router with a maximum 24Mbps internet pipe. If home network speeds trump what you’ll need for the outside world, you’ll still get many of the benefits of Netgear’s flagship R6300, including USB printer and storage sharing. Netgear starts selling the D6300 through stores in October, although it may be just as likely to come in the arms of a DSL install technician as your own.

Continue reading Netgear D6300 mates 802.11ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatch

Filed under: Networking, Internet

Netgear D6300 mates 802.11ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear has updated its prosumer NAS range to take on cloud backup upstarts, adding a Dropbox-esque ReadyDROP cross-device sync option, and the ability to back up using Time Machine remotely. The new firmware for the ReadyNAS DUO v2 and ReadyNAS NV+ v2, version 5.3.6, expands the ReadyNAS Remote feature already on the standalone network-attached storage, creating monitored folders on each of your devices which, just as with Dropbox, are automatically synchronized whenever you add or change files.

Designate a folder for ReadyDROP, Netgear’s senior marketing manager of storage products Matthew Pahnke explained to us, and the NAS will replicate that folder across each linked device. Any files added are automatically saved to the NAS itself, and pushed out to each device so that an up-to-date copy is available no matter which you’re using.

ReadyDROP uses impromptu VPN connections – complete with encryption – to do that, and since the capacity of the synchronized folder is limited only by the capacity of your NAS itself, it’s potentially a lot cheaper than cloud-hosted storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive. There’s also access from Netgear’s iOS and Android apps.

As for remote Time Machine support, Macs will be able to designate a ReadyNAS drive as the target for Apple’s native backup app, but that drive will be accessible both locally – when on the same network – and remotely, across the internet. The system requires no extra software, Pahnke explained, and will automatically choose between a direct connection across the local network (when available) or a secure VPN connection back to the ReadyNAS (when you’re on the move).

Firmware v5.3.6 also works with updates to the Mobile ReadyDLNA apps for iOS and Android, streaming media directly to smartphones and tablets, and polishes the third-party app and add-on support for the NAS themselves. There’s now a new Genie Apps section for one-click installation, and Netgear expects various developers to jump onboard now that there’s support for paid and subscription-based options.

Those apps could include integration with third-party cloud services such as Amazon’s or Google’s (though Netgear already offers its own ReadyNAS Vault service) for those wanting an actual cloud backup too. One the first, Pahnke revealed, would be crowdsourced backup sharing service Symform, which allows users to share space on their local NAS in return for access to capacity on the remote drives of others.

If you have another ReadyNAS unit elsewhere, however, you’ll also be able to use the freshly integrated ReadyNAS Replicate feature. Previously a pro add-on, the system allows one or more NAS units to copy their data between the group, ensuring offsite backups.

Firmware v5.3.6 will be available for the ReadyNAS DUO v2 and ReadyNAS NV+ v2 from today. No word on when – or if – other models might see ReadyDROP and the other functionality added, though we would be very surprised if it wasn’t on Netgear’s roadmap.

Netgear adds personal cloud and remote Time Machine to ReadyNAS is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Netgear is giving its home networking the same sort of tuneup going into the fall that you’d give your car — not a complete overhaul, but enough to keep it running in top form. Headlining the pack, the N750 Premium Edition router you’re looking at above upgrades the original N750 through a better ability to play with others: the dual-band WiFi hotspot’s ReadyShare file access expands to the cloud, while its USB support now envelops Apple’s AirPrint and Time Machine as well as TiVo Storage. Media sharing mavens also get their own, more specific add-ons. The Powerline Media Extender can pipe audio (and USB printing or storage) over a 200Mbps link, with a major emphasis on AirPlay streaming; the N900 4-port WiFi Adapter is a slightly less exotic, 450Mbps wireless-to-Ethernet bridge for multi-device home theaters. If Netgear’s refresh is tempting enough to prompt a trade-up, you can snag the N750 Premium Edition immediately for $120 or wait until September and October for the respective launches of the N900 adapter for $80 and the Powerline Music Extender in its single pack ($99) or dual-device starter kit ($139) editions.

Continue reading Netgear intros sharing-savvy N750 Premium Edition router, powerline and WiFi adapters for media fans

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Networking

Netgear intros sharing-savvy N750 Premium Edition router, powerline and WiFi adapters for media fans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear has a new powerline networking device called the XSUB2511. Like most powerline networking gear, it will connect your Internet connection to your power lines in the house to share that connectivity without needing a wireless network. This new adapter allows more than simply allowing you to share your Internet connection.

The Powerline Music Extender also allows the user to stream music to speakers anywhere in the home from a smartphone, tablet, or Windows computer. Both Apple and Android hardware is supported for music streaming. Users can choose specific remote speakers in the home that are connected to the new powerline music extender and played music easily.

Mac computers and iOS devices use Airplay functionality for streaming music while PCs and Android devices need to download an app to stream music. The music can be streamed to any audio system or device that connects via RCA jacks. Apple users can also stream music throughout the house from services like Pandora, Spotify, or Deezer.

An available download for PCs allows the user to connect a Windows computer to a remote USB device located anywhere in the home thanks to the integrated USB port on the powerline adapter. The connected USB device can be anything from a printer to a hard drive. The adapter also has a pass-through outlet so you can still plug devices into your outlet. The Powerline Music Extender Starter kit sells for $139, and a single adapter sells for $99. Availability is set for October.

Netgear Powerline Music Extender streams music and more is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’ve ever found yourself waving your iPad around like a diminutive shield in an attempt to cling on to a WiFi connection, Netgear might have the answer. The new WiFi Booster for Mobile WN1000RP may look like your typical wall-wart, but plug it in and it’ll boost an existing WiFi b/g/n connection into the dead-spots in your home or office.

You’ll need a 2.4GHz network in order for it to work – those running 5GHz networks are out of luck, sadly – but if you’re using WPS then connections should be basically plug & play. Slot the WN1000RP into a spare power socket, hit the WPS button to get it onto your WiFi network, and off you go. The only thing we can see that would improve it is the addition of a pass-through power socket on the front.

Netgear doesn’t say exactly how much it can extend your coverage – there’s no range given – and nor is it clear whether you can use multiple WN1000RP units in the same network to cover several dead-spots. Still, you do get an indication on signal strength courtesy of the flashing LEDs up front.

The Netgear WiFi Booster for Mobile WN1000RP will go on sale this Summer, price to be confirmed.

Netgear WiFi Booster for Mobile blankets deadspots in delicious wireless is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.