11/06, 6:25pm
LaCie's portable Sound2 speakers tested
LaCie is without a doubt best known for its hard drives and other storage solutions, many of which are often particularly good-looking. The company's new Sound2 Speakers could also be described in just such a way. Shaped by French designer Neil Poulton and engineered by Cabasse, a French loud speaker manufacturer, the design comes across as a French supermodel. But does that mean the design is strictly superficial? Our Sound2 review finds an answer.
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11/04, 4:40pm
New Planon DocuPen scanners add features, speed
Planon on Wednesday introduced its new series of DocuPen Xtreme scanning pens, which includes the X05, X10 and X50. The X05 and X10 can support 600DPI resolutions, while the X50 doubles it to 1,200DPI. Each of the pens has a 200MHz processor and 64MB of memory, both the highest in Planon's lineup.
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11/04, 2:15pm
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless official
Klipsch has made a rare update to its veteran ProMedia 2.1 speakers by unveiling the ProMedia 2.1 Wireless. It uses the same core 70W stereo satellites and 130W subwoofer as the original but receives its audio from a 2.4GHz RF-based USB transmitter that works with any computer that supports USB sound. Range is limited to 30 feet but is considered ideal for notebook users who want audio independent of their computer's exact location.
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11/03, 6:00pm
Drive burns Blu-ray discs at up to 12X speeds
Other World Computing on Tuesday announced that it is now offering a Mercury Pro external Blu-ray drive with a quad interface. Users can choose between USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, or eSATA connection methods. The company claims the Pioneer BDR-205 can reach burn speeds of up to 12X on Blu-ray discs, 16X with DVDs, 4X on DVD-DL media, and 40X for CDs.
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11/03, 2:45pm
Device complements Traktor Scratch setups
Native Instruments on Tuesday introduced the Traktor Kontrol X1, a new controller for DJ software. The device is based on the Traktor DJ platform and designed to be used with timecode-controlled configurations including hardware mixers and turntables or CD decks. Two X1 units can also be combined for setups with four turntables.
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11/02, 7:20am
Sirius XM ships satellite radio for Apple
Sirius XM today began shipping its promised XM SkyDock. The cradle gives any iPhone or iPod touch a satellite radio tuner that plays all of XM's channels, including the Best of Sirius package and others normally kept out of the Internet streams. A companion XM SkyDock app (free, App Store) ties directly into the tuner and provides both the main interface as well as support for iTunes song tagging.
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10/30, 4:20pm
Voyager Pro UC bundles Bluetooth adapter
Plantronics today launched a rare Bluetooth headset aimed primarily at the desktop. The Voyager Pro UC bundles a USB Bluetooth adapter with the familiar Voyager Pro and lets any Mac or Windows PC handle calls over the wireless earpiece if they don't already have built-in Bluetooth. Its functions can work natively with many VoIP apps, including Skype and business-class apps from Cisco.
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10/29, 9:50pm
Package provides remote control, wireless streams
An FCC filing has uncovered an unannounced FlipShare TV product that apparently serves as an accessory package for Cisco's Flip video recording devices. The system provides a USB dongle that communicates with a larger FlipShare TV box attached to a television. The TV box provides an HDMI output and standard RCA connections.
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10/28, 7:45pm
Accessory arrives behind necessary software update
Apple has finally begun shipping its new Magic Mouse wireless controller. The necessary software updates for Leopard and Snow Leopard arrived on Tuesday, enabling the operating systems to recognize the Multi-Touch gestures for scrolling, swiping, clicking and double clicking.
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10/28, 1:00pm
Tech made possible through app/router combo
Third-party GPS support for the iPod touch is coming soon, an announcement claims. GeoLife says it has submitted a new version of Navmii to the App Store, which -- in tandem with a PosiMotion G-Fi router -- should allow a Touch to access turn-by-turn car navigation. The Touch lacks both the GPS and 3G receivers found in the iPhone, normally rendering it incapable of handling directions while driving.
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10/27, 4:55pm
USB adapter supports 802.11a/b/g/n
QuickerTek has released a new USB wireless adapter which adds Wi-Fi support to any Mac with a USB port. The device handles 802.11a connections running at 5.8GHz, and 802.11b/g/n networks operating at 2.4GHz. 802.11a, notably allows connnection speeds up to 300Mbps.
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10/27, 4:45pm
Samsung debuts 933HD Plus and 2333HD
Samsung in a late afternoon update added two crossover computer LCDs to its mix. The 23-inch 2333HD and 19-inch 933HD+ both have built-in HDTV tuners and remotes to double as TVs in tight spaces. Appropriately, they both share 16:9 aspect ratios that avoid black bars for native HD video at either a 720p-friendly 1360x768 (for the 933HD+) or 1080p (for the 2333HD).
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10/26, 11:15am
inPulse watch gives BBerry mail, calls
Quickly following up on recent leaks, Allerta today unveiled the inPulse BlackBerry smartwatch. Made as a companion for BlackBerry smartphones, the watch pairs over Bluetooth and provides caller ID and e-mail headers in real-time on an OLED display to save users the trouble of checking the phone. It can also recognize SMS notices, RSS news feeds and even Twitter updates.
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10/23, 5:50pm
Wrap 310 video eyewear resembles sunglasses
Vuzix has begun shipping its latest video eyewear device, Wrap 310, that was initially announced in September. The new eyewear incorporates the same basic functionality as the company’s visor-style displays, but with an outer design that resembles traditional sunglasses. It features a maximum screen resolution of 428x240 for each of its widescreen displays, which is said to be comparable to viewing a 55-inch screen from approximately 10 feet away.
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10/23, 12:40pm
Dell SX2210T brings multi-touch, webcam
After a leak and Japanese details earlier this week, Dell on Friday brought its SX2210T display to the US. It represents Dell's first dedicated multi-touch display and supports one- or two-finger input in operating systems that recognize them, particularly Windows 7. Regardless of platform, the 21.5-inch LCD is relatively high quality for a TN-based panel with an 83 percent color gamut and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio.
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10/23, 7:50am
Acer S243HL uses white LED backlight
Acer wrapped up the week today by rolling out a new high-performance desktop LCD that appears first in Japan. The 24-inch S243HL uses a white LED backlight that provides it with an extremely high contrast ratio even when compared to typical LED-lit displays, jumping from 1,000:1 to 8,000,000:1 with dynamic contrast active. The thinner technology also contributes to a main panel that measures about 0.57 inches thick, although the base is thicker.
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10/22, 4:10pm
Magic Mouse more significant, says columnist
Apple's new MacBook and iMacs are solid but merely evolutionary products, argues Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg. The MacBook is praised for incorporating the MacBook Pro's large trackpad, and being "fast and reliable," booting cold in 22 seconds. It is also described as lighter than its predecessor at 4.7 pounds, and armed with a powerful battery, though likely to fall short of Apple's promised seven-hour lifespan in most cases.
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10/21, 2:10pm
HP L2105tm made for fingers, stylus
HP at mid-day updated its Compaq displays with one of its first mainstream multi-touch displays. The 21.5-inch L2105tm has a built-in optical sensor that recognizes two-point touch input in operating systems that support it but can still accept input from an included stylus for artwork or other more precise apps. To help, the display is specifically designed for touch and has a fixed-height panel that won't shift around in mid-use.
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10/21, 9:40am
Imposes definite deadline on update's release
The forthcoming Mac OS X 10.6.2 update will be required for Magic Mouse compatibility in Snow Leopard, an Apple support document reveals. The mouse's user guide -- quietly published on Apple's website yesterday -- mentions that a "full range of features" will not work without v10.6.2. Leopard users must have a combination Mac OS X 10.5.8 and the unreleased Wireless Mouse Software Update 1.0.
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10/20, 6:30pm
Monitor offers same tech as many all-in-ones
Dell has introduced its first touchscreen monitor, the SX2210T. The device offers the same basic specs as the company's SX2210 product, with a 21.5-inch panel and 1920x1080 resolution, but adds support for touch control. The optical touch technology can be used with a finger or stylus, with +/- 2.5mm accuracy across most of the screen area.
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10/20, 4:15pm
Altec intros amp-like portable speaker
Altec Lansing on Tuesday introduced a new gaming console speaker system, its Stage-Gig. Resembling a guitar amp, the amplified speaker is made to work with Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and DJ Hero titles on any gaming console. The 6.5-inch woofer contains a horn-loaded silk tweeter and has 40W of power. For easy portability, a carrying handle is built in, and the device can be daisy-chained with others thanks to a built-in AC outlet and RCA connections.
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10/20, 3:30pm
Europeans to get black Wii bundle with two games
Nintendo UK announced on Tuesday that it will soon offer a limited edition Wii bundle in Europe that includes a black console, black Wii remote with Wii MotionPlus adapter and Nunchuk, along with Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports game titles. Europeans will also get a standalone version of the Classic Controller Pro in black, which improves upon the existing Classic Controller, though just how hasn't been discussed. Black versions of the Wii remotes, Wii MotionPlus add-ons and Nunchuk controllers will also become available.
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10/20, 2:40pm
Devices integrate new antenna design
Alongside the announcements of new Macs and the Magic Mouse, Apple on Tuesday quietly introduced updated AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule devices. Like its predecessor, the new AirPort Extreme base station utilizes the same dual-band communication on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. A redesigned antenna, however, is claimed to improve data speeds by up to 50 percent, while extending the effective range by 25 percent.
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10/20, 1:30pm
Mimics iPod nano design
Alongside new iMacs, MacBooks and other major hardware releases, Apple has quietly introduced a new system remote. The device is primarily meant for Macs, allowing users to bring up the Front Row interface for music, photo, video and DVD playback. It can also be used in a limited fashion with iPods and iPhones, controlling music, slideshows and video.
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10/20, 12:55pm
ThinkVision L2251x Wide, more debut
Lenovo today overhauled its ThinkVision displays with multiple new models that all stress eco-friendliness first. The L2251x Wide, L2251p Wide, L2250p Wide, L1951p Wide and L1711p all use about 50 percent less power than the LCDs they replace. The L2251x Wide in particular is held up as the green example with 65 percent of its body made from post-use recycled plastics.
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10/20, 12:50pm
New standard controller for iMacs
Apple has confirmed the existence of the Magic Mouse, a new Mac controller. The device is said to borrow the multi-touch technology used in iPhones and MacBooks, eliminating the need for a scrollwheel, as well as any mechanical buttons. Users instead perform various taps and swiping gestures, which execute configurable controls.
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10/19, 1:45pm
RIM inPulse shows BlackBerry messages
Talk of a watch peripheral for the BlackBerry gained credibility on Monday through a slip of new information. Probably to be called the inPulse, the RIM add-on would resemble some Bluetooth watches but have an OLED display that shows much more detailed information. Shots and a description from CrackBerry indicate the watch would show previews of calls, e-mail and RSS feeds from a paired BlackBerry and give owners an easy way of deciding whether or not to reply without having to take the phone out of a pocket.
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10/16, 3:25pm
GameStop launches two-tone Xbox 360 gamepad
Video game retailer GameStop is now offering a specially made Xbox 360 controller. The limited-edition device is the first official multi-colored gamepad for the Xbox 360, and will begin shipping the week of October 19th. The controller includes a Play & Charge Kit and is covered in faux carbon fiber with red accents.
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10/15, 10:15am
Logitech gaming keyboard has custom LED backlight
Logitech launched its latest gaming keyboard on Thursday, the Gaming Keyboard G110. The device has custom LED backlighting for all of its keys, and users can connect USB headsets or microphones through ports on the back for both. The LEDs illuminating the keys can be set to all-blue or all-red as well as mixed to create any shade of purple.
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10/14, 1:30pm
Logitech notebook kits adds comfort, options
Logitech on Wednesday released the Notebook Kit MK605, which is made up of a wireless laser mouse and wireless keyboard, along with a pivoting riser stand. The wireless peripherals connect to the notebook via the included Logitech Unifying receiver. The receiver barely sticks out from the notebook it's connected to via its USB port, and it can also pair to four more wireless devices.
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10/14, 12:30pm
Das Keyboard Model S adds media keys, more
Das Keyboard today grew out its input line through Model S, its first full-feature keyboard. The new peripheral now have media keys for music playback and a second USB port for a peripheral. Compatibility also gets a boost through support for KVM multi-computer switches and a PS/2 adapter for older Windows PCs.
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10/14, 10:55am
Nintendo Wii black controllers for US
Nintendo on Thursday brought out its first non-white Wii controllers for the US. Previously only found in Japan, black versions of both the Wii remote and the nunchuk controller will reach the country. Both are functionally identical to their reference versions, although the remote will include the MotionPlus add-on and all-black protective jacket in the box.
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10/14, 8:10am
Wi-Fi Direct standard due in mid-2010
The Wi-Fi Alliance today unveiled a new standard it hopes will make Wi-Fi the de facto standard for peer-to-peer wireless. Known as Wi-Fi Direct, it will turn any supporting device into an access point and let it auto-discover other compatible hardware nearby. The technique will not only simplify ad hoc networks, reducing the need for a dedicated router, but will let peripherals use Wi-Fi where they couldn't have before: cameras, mice and other devices could work without needing any special setup.
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10/13, 4:15pm
GlideTV marries AV, computer controls
Catering explicitly to home theater computers, GlideTV today produced an unusual controller known as the Navigator. The bowl-shaped peripheral has a trackpad for mouse pointing but is surrounded by AV controls and a directional pad that ease navigating through common apps. It can steer through Front Row and iTunes on Macs, Windows Media Center, and platform-independent apps like Boxee or SageTV.
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10/13, 9:40am
AMD launches Radeon HD 5770, 5750
AMD's graphics label ATI today extended its next-wave hardware into the mainstream. The Radeon HD 5770 and Radeon HD 5750 scale back to a 128-bit memory bus and significantly fewer effects cores but still have the full DirectX 11 and OpenGL 3.x feature sets of the 5800 series as well as support for multi-display Eyefinity. They remain dual-slot cards but consume much less power at 108W peak for the 5770 and 86W for the 5750.
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10/13, 12:00am
PictureMate Charm printer has highest resolution
Epson this morning introduced its PictureMate Charm photo printer. The portable printer can produce 4- by 6-inch full color prints and has a 2.5-inch LCD screen as well as a memory card reader that lets user print photos without a PC. It can produce a borderless color photo in just 37 seconds, and gives users the option of producing black and white photos as well as changing the layout options.
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10/13, 12:00am
HP LD4200tm brings touch and wide view
HP's large-scale introductions on Tuesday brought about one of the largest multi-touch displays available. The LD4200tm produces a 42-inch, 1080p picture but uses a combination of infrared and imaging sensors to recognize two-point gestures such as pinching to zoom. Opting for this approach is less costly than a capacitive touchscreen as it only needs to detect when light is broken rather than wire up the entire display.
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10/09, 9:30pm
Dual Air Bluetooth Streamer works with iPhone
Avenir Telecom has introduced a new line of audio and networking accessories, along with mobile phone cases for UK retailers and resellers. Its audio devices center on the Bluetooth Stereo Headphone, which gives personal listening to an iPhone, iPod touch or any other A2DP-aware device, and the Dual Air Bluetooth Streamer, which plugs into any iPhone or iPod touch and simultaneously transmits music to two pairs of wireless headphones. Also available is the Bluetooth Pocket Hands-Free Car Kit, which is approximately the size of a credit card and sticks directly onto a windshield or dashboard for taking voice calls.
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10/09, 4:15pm
Kingston releases second-gen MobileLite reader
Kingston on Friday announced the release of its MobileLiteG2 flash card reader. The second generation of the ultra-portable USB 2.0 device supports SDHC, microSDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and Memory Stick Micro (M2) memory cards. It has retractable covers over its USB connection and the memory card slot.
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10/08, 2:10pm
Samsung XL2370 gives US 5m:1 contrast
As part of a pair of US updates, Samsung at mid-day brought its XL2370 computer display to the US. The 23-inch, 1080p LCD uses Samsung's newest-generation LED backlighting to push the dynamic contrast ratio up to 5,000,000:1, or better than virtually all Samsung's TVs. Dropping fluorescent backlighting also lowers power consumption to about 26W.
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10/08, 1:40pm
Samsung's first Blu-ray drive writes to CDs, DVDs
Samsung late yesterday introduced the first internal combo Blu-ray player, the SH-B083 (not pictured). It can read Blu-ray discs at up to 8x speeds, both in single-layer 25GB capacities and dual-layer 50GB capacities. The combo drive can also read CDs at as fast as 40x and DVDs as fast as 16x. It can also record onto blank CD and DVD media thanks to a second lens.
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10/08, 10:05am
Novatel unveils Ovation MC998D
Novatel chose CTIA to launch its fastest Ovation USB modem so far. The MC998D (not yet shown) supports the current HSPA+ spec for 3G and will connect at up to 21Mbps downstream (5.76Mbps upstream) on supporting networks. It's also explicitly designed for North America's 850MHz and 1,900MHz HSPA frequiencies and will support the HSPA+ networks of Bell, Rogers and Telus in Canada as well as 7.2Mbps HSPA on AT&T in the US. The 2,100MHz band also gives it some support in Europe.
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10/07, 1:30pm
Buffalo intro USB 3.0, 125MBps external drive
Buffalo hhas launched its first USB 3.0 hard drive in the DriveStation HD-HXU3. The 3.5-inch external disk uses the much larger bandwidth to attain transfer speeds of up to 125MBps, or between 3 and 4 times faster than the company's currently available USB 2.0 drive. In order to take advantage of the new standard's speeds, a card will be sold alongside the drive to install into host computers.
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10/07, 12:20pm
Issues persist after months of complaints
Apple's Time Capsule network drives are still suffering from power failures, complaints on official support forums indicate. The failures are allegedly occurring without warning, and are thought to be attributable to faulty power supplies, though some owners have suggested problems with chips or connectors. Most at risk are older drives, as a number of the dead units are said to have been bought in early 2008. Apple last refreshed its Time Capsule line in July.
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10/07, 2:45am
Lexmark shows first touchscreen laser printer
Lexmark on Tuesday introduced what it's calling the industry's first monochrome laser printer equipped with a touchscreen, the T656dne. Thanks to the 7-inch color LCD, users can access applications such as forms and favorites or eco-settings to save energy. The interface also provides a variety of settings, such as languages, along with controls for changing the background into, for example, a company logo. The printer has a built-in 80GB hard drive that is able to support preloaded software applications.
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10/05, 11:45pm
App promotes health care reform in US
Apple has reversed course and approved iSinglePayer, an iPhone app advocating health care reform in the US. The app had initially been rejected for being "politically charged," as it contains charts and information regarding single-payer health care systems. Users can even find the nearest congressperson and view campaign donations provided by companies in the health sector.
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10/05, 10:20pm
Hardware upgrades enable integrated apps
Novatel is set to upgrade its MiFi pocket router with expanded support for a variety of apps. The new features, such as Eye-Fi and VPN utilities, utilize an applications processor found in the European MiFi 2352 and the MiFi 2372 distributed through AT&T and Rogers in North America.
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10/05, 4:45pm
D-Link all-in-one DIR-685 router now out
D-Link has began shipping its Xtreme N DIR-685 all-in-one router that was first introduced back at CES in January. The device has a built-in draft N Wi-Fi module that allows it to communicate with network attached storage devices and a 3.2-inch LCD screen that lets it play streaming video or double as a digital photo frame. The screen can also display device status information via graphs and gauges. D-Link's SharePort feature lets networked computers share printers and other USB devices.
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10/05, 1:30pm
Devices simulate buttons, gestures
Microsoft is exploring the concept of multi-touch mice, a new research paper reveals. The paper is being presented today as part of the User Interface Software and Technology conference, and identifies five different prototypes, each based on different sensor technologies. The devices also rely on different ergonomics, and in some cases enable different functions.
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10/05, 10:05am
Netgear bows Linux-based RangeMax router
Netgear this morning challenged Cisco in customizable routers with a new Linux-based RangeMax model. The WNR3500L has the same 802.11n Wi-Fi, gigabit Ethernet and USB device sharing as the regular WNR3500 but runs on an open-source Linux platform and will take common unofficial router firmware like DD-WRT, OpenWRT and Tomato. These give it much more customization than the proprietary OS and can bring features that Netgear wouldn't introduce itself.
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