Several Google TV devices appeared this week at CES in Las Vegas, where Netgear unveiled its contender: NeoTV Prime. Electronista met with the company to try out the new set-top box, which brings all of the standard Google TV features alongside a few Netgear-exclusive enhancements.
The VueZone team has been hard at work since the company was acquired by Netgear, introducing a new night-vision camera this week at CES. Electronista met with Netgear to learn more about the new camera, which is arguably the most intriguing new security product at the show.
Netgear's set-top box, the NeoTV Prime, has reached the FCC. Testing documents by the FCC reveals not only the Google TV system's Wi-Fi component, as seen in previous iterations, but also Bluetooth connectivity. There are also a number of photographs of the remote control's double-sided layout. Where the front performs normal remote control functions, the rear houses a QWERTY keyboard.
With larger application and media file sizes now the norm since the advent of Retina displays for Apple products, and similar resolutions becoming available for Windows and other devices, home and professional storage needs are escalating. Couple the need for storage with the trend towards portable computing, and the issues compound -- flash-based storage isn't as cost-effective per GB as traditional hard drives are. Network attached storage (NAS) devices for the consumer market have been around for nearly a decade, with varying degrees of utility. Seemingly ubiquitous device manufacturer Netgear updated its line of NAS cases at the end of 2011, and Electronista will examine the latest in the respected ReadyNAS line -- the two-bay ReadyNAS Duo V2, coupled with the latest RAIDiator 5.3.7 firmware update.
Networking gear manufacturer Netgear announced two new products today, an all-in-one automatic backup/media server that also functions as a high-speed router and a range of next-generation streaming players. The Centria all-in-one automatically backs up data to PCs and Macs and includes Netgear ReadySHARE Vault for Windows PC backups. It supports Apple Time Machine for wireless backup as well as USB backup.
Netgear has released a free update for its ReadyNAS line of network attached storage. The new version OS 5.3.6 adds several key features, including remote backup capability for Apple's Time Machine, ReadyDROP cloud-based storage implementation, mobile clients for ReadyDLNA media streaming, and more.
NetGear has brought out a new Wi-Fi booster, the WN1000RP, to help users get a stronger Wi-Fi signal in the dead areas of their home or office. The device supports only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi B/G/N bands and plugs directly into a wall socket for quick and easy installation. Further easing it is a WPS button for quickly getting onto existing Wi-Fi networks.
Netgear has now followed up its NeoTV 200 media hub with a new NeoTV Pro version that most significantly adds support for Intel's WiDi tech. This lets compatible Intel desktops and notebooks wirelessly stream what's on their displays through the media hub to an HDTV. The box otherwise retains the same Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, YouTube, and Pandora streaming of the original.
Netgear has released its first 802.11ac router using the new Wi-Fi specification. The R6300 router, which is said to be capable of combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1750Mbps, ships at the same time as announcements for a more budget-conscious R6200 router and the A6200 Wi-Fi dongle, aiming to be the first 802.11ac dual-band USB adapter to market.
Netgear on Thursday staked out its position as the first to have an 802.11ac Wi-Fi router. The R6300 will use the full potential of the spec and run up to 1.3Gbps on the 5GHz band, effectively removing the router as a bottleneck. It can still support earlier Wi-Fi standards and will run 802.11ac at up to 450Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.
Broadcom claimed the distinction of being the first to make chipsets with 802.11ac, being nicknamed 5G Wi-Fi, on Thursday. The BCM43516, BCM43526, BCM4352, and BCM4360 all have twice as much bandwidth per channel as the current-fastest 802.11n and can stack multiple streams together to get very high speeds. The flagship chip, the BCM4360, can unite three streams and hit 1.3Gbps.
Netgear started the week by launching a Wi-Fi router primarily tailored to Mac users. The Wireless Extreme has the cosmetic looks, but it purportedly has native support for Time Machine with drives plugged into the USB port. Dedicated software lets USB printers share properly on Macs and other platforms even if they don't completely work within Mac OS X's usual support.
In talking to SlashGear, Netgear revealed it is evaluating Google TV for its media streaming hardware. At the launch of the NeoTV streamer, the company's reps also admitted that Google TV isn't "there yet" as a platform. While NeoTV will cost about $80, a streaming box with Google TV would be closer to $200, Netgear believes.
Netgear made inroads to home networking Wednesday headlined by a self-proclaimed high-speed router. The N900, also known as the WNDR4500, is part of a still-rare group that can run Wi-Fi up to 450Mbps concurrently on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Wireless sharing is atypically faster as well: the USB controller is more powerful than on most rivals and estimated to be 30 percent faster for sharing an external hard drive or a printer.
A freshly spotted FCC filing reveals Netgear will soon release a new networked home media player, the NeoTV 200. Judging by the early specs, it will act as a competitor to Apple's TV and WD's TV Live products. It will stream Netflix and Pandora content but has no USB, SD or eSATA ports.
NetGear has released the first dual-core wireless WNDR3700 router with an integrated N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ modem. The so-called Ultimate Home DSL Gateway also sports two USB ports for sharing content from thumb and hard drives across a network. A Gigabit Ethernet input for connecting to cable or fiber networks is present, and 802.11n Wi-Fi is built in with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios.
Netgear on Monday shipped out the headliner Wi-Fi router from the range it showed at CES. The N750 focuses on speed first and will output as much as 450Mbps on the 5GHz band for 802.11n wireless as well as 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, even at the same time. Wired users get their own performance edge with four gigabit Ethernet ports.
The CEO of Netgear, Patrick Lo, has apologized for some remarks about Steve Jobs made in the midst of criticizing Apple business practices. "Once Steve Jobs goes away, which is probably not far away, then Apple will have to make a strategic decision on whether to open up the platform," Lo said at one point during a lunch in Sydney, Australia. Because Jobs is on an indefinite medical leave and has had recurring cancer-related problems, some people reportedly interpreted Lo's statement as a reference to Jobs dying.
Wi-LAN this evening said the delay in its Wi-Fi lawsuit had borne fruit as it had made some settlement deals and expected more before the February 2 trial. It struck deals with 2Wire, Belkin, Lenovo, Marvell, Netgear and Westell over the past few weeks. It also anticipated that Apple, Dell, D-Link, HP, Sony and Toshiba would cave before Wednesday.
Netgear has launched four new wireless routers ahead of CES today. The networking company has launched four gigabit-capable wireless routers, one with ADSL modem support and one a power-line router. The power line model, the N300 Wireless Router with Powerline AV combines 200Mbps networking over home power lines with wireless 802.11n networking and three standard 100Mbps Ethernet ports.
Bell on Tuesday launched the Netgear Turbo Hub, a router that lets users connect up to 15 wireless devices on an HSPA+ network. It provides speeds of up to 21Mbps and is designed for semi-mobile use. The Turbo Hub shares chiefly over Wi-Fi but has Ethernet for wired links.
Roku had a late-breaking but symbolic addition today as its Internet Players got their hundredth Internet content channel. Crackle's content brings free videos, including major movies, independent, TV shows and shorts. All the content should be available soon if not immediately through a firmware update.
Netgear has expanded its ReadyNAS line of home media servers, with the introduction of the Ultra 2 and Ultra Plus series. The Ultra Plus lineup is claimed to deliver 30 percent faster performance when compared to the Ultra series. The servers support TiVo DVR integration, along with Orb transcoding for various screen sizes and remote streaming to mobile devices.
Roku ventured beyond its online-only strategy tonight by launching its first media hub destined for retail. The Netgear Roku XD Player is identical to the regular Roku XD but will reach retail stores such as Best Buy that haven't been in reach before. It supports full 1080p video from sources and streams Amazon VOD and Netflix at their native 720p, with 802.11n Wi-Fi and a buffer for instant rewind.
T-Mobile promises to bring its HSPA+ 3G coverage to more than 200 million US residents in the US before year's end, and some hardware dedicated to this cause has began showing up. An FCC filing spotted on Monday shows the latest, from Netgear, in the form of an MBR1210 mobile 3G to 802.11n Wi-Fi router. The device will sport four Ethernet ports along with a SIM card slot.
Two new Roku Players have surfaced in FCC documents, including one variant that appears to be borne of a collaborative effort with Netgear. Each of the filings carries a Roku XD label, while the tests point to 802.11b/g/n connectivity paired with Ethernet, composite video, and HDMI connections.
Netgear today brought out a pair of new media sharing hubs as well as its powerline networking hardware. The NeoTV 350 and 550 together take both on-device and local network sources. Either will play up to 1080p video, including in enthusiast formats like ISO, MKV and XviD, from sources such as local DLNA, UPnP or Windows Media Player computers and devices. Physical media comes from USB ports or an SD card slot; the 550 adds eSATA to support faster hard drives, and all can support Blu-ray drives.
Netgear upgraded its ReadyNAS network-attached storage in a major form tonight with its first Ultra devices. The four-bay Ultra 4 and six-bay Ultra 6 are built for home users who want to move as much data to a network share as possible and adds an extended amount of media sharing as a result. Both boxes can serve as remote recording space for TiVos on the network, and the spaces can be shared through Orb to be played on iPads and other iOS devices as well as Android and BlackBerry smartphones.
Network-attached storage, or NAS, has been quite common in the business and enterprise markets for quite some time but has yet to take a firm hold in the home. Netgear's Stora tries to change that: it boasts a terabyte of storage and a swath of multimedia features in a friendly package. But is it worth the $230 price to the average family? We've reviewed the Stora to find out.
Netgear chose CeBIT today to launch a quartet of network adapters and kits specifically targeted at networked media hubs like the Apple TV as well as game consoles. The HD Home Theater Kit carries two 802.11n Wi-Fi adapters that alternately turn the home network wireless and bring a given home theater device on to the same network. The system is "carrier-grade" and can reliably stream multiple 1080p videos at once within range; Wi-Fi Protected Setup adds extra adapters to the same network.
Netgear on Tuesday made an unusual branch into 3G this morning through teamwork with Ericsson. The MBRN3300 can use an internal 3G modem, including HSPA+ at roughly 20Mbps, and share the link through either 802.11n Wi-Fi or through four 100Mbps Ethernet ports. The companies envision it as a modem for homes where regular cable, DSL or fiber isn't available, or for completely mobile local networks; it even has the option of a car charger or a battery pack to run free of a traditional plug.
Toshiba has begun shipping its Satellite E205 notebooks with Intel's Wireless Display technology. The wireless system, first introduced at CES, works with Intel's latest chipset which allows users to view the notebook display on any HDTV with Composite or HDMI inputs. A small box connects directly to the TV, although no external adapter is required on the computer side.
Walmart could be on the cusp of buying VUDU, a leak this morning hints. Insiders claim VUDU is in "meaningful" talks to be purchased by a larger company, which many within the field believe will be Walmart. The young movie service provider is reported by MediaMemo as having courted possible buyouts from electronics makers and retailers but to have met little success until now.
Showcased at Intel's CES keynote, Netgear today launched NETGEAR Push2TV (PTV1000), a small device that enables consumers to wirelessly display their notebook computer screens on their big-screen HDTVs. Compatible with select laptops featuring Intel Wireless Display and leveraging the new 2010 Intel Core Processor Family, Push2TV transforms the living room HDTV into a huge, remote monitor without the need for any cables. Slightly larger than a deck of cards, Push2TV enables consumers to wirelessly send stored media, content from other parts of the home network, and videos streamed from the most popular websites.
Netgear at CES introduced several new products including the Digital Entertainer Express, two routers for 3G and WiMAX modems, and new Powerline AV adapter kits. The Express EVA9100 media receiver offers many of the same basic features as the company's Elite EVA9150 model, enabling users to display and stream content directly to their HDTVs. Streaming media is pre-buffered to help avoid interruption, while SD content can be automatically upconverted to 1080p.
Sonic Solutions is set to introduce an update to its CinemaNow platform. Version 2.0 features a new storefront with contextual links that allow users to explore content related to a movie's studio, director, or actors. The interface will also provide recommendations for other movies, along with previews and trailers for upcoming titles.
Netgear has made a few forays into the home entertainment market over the past few years with various networked media hubs. The Entertainer Live is Netgear’s budget offering , with an asking price of only $150. But unlike other high-end media extenders that include hundreds of gigabytes of storage, the Entertainer Live only streams data from networked sources, the Internet, or your own source. We'll discover in our full DE Live! review if this seemingly simple device hits a budgeting and feature set sweet spot.
Sonic has launched a pair of initiatives to expand CinemaNow past its current platform. Starting Thursday, the company will make available DivX versions (link not yet active) of movie downloads. The gesture will let any computer that recognizes protected DivX play the service's videos, such as third-party hardware like LG and Samsung devices, game consoles (most likely the PS3 and Xbox 360) and phones.
Powerline networking products have been on the market for several years but haven't gained mainstream acceptance simply because of Wi-Fi. However, there are instances where power line networking equipment can go where wireless equipment cannot. Those who live in very large homes that are full of interference may be better served with a network that uses the wiring they already have. But is the latest generation of powerline networking solutions up to par with wireless in terms of performance, ease of use, and security? Today we're reviewing Netgear’s XAVB1004 Powerline AV Adapter Kit to find out.
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.
Netgear branched out from pure network hardware to network-attached storage (NAS) this morning with the unveiling of the Stora. Like most drives, it shares a hard drive over the local network using Ethernet and can act as a server for iTunes music as well as DLNA and UPnP devices like the PS3 and Xbox 360. The new approach tries to simplify access through an optional web-based media viewer that shows photo and video thumbnails as well as automatic pushing of certain content to Facebook and Flickr.
Netgear is adding to its line of set-top boxes with a low-end device that supports 720p HD but lacks a hard drive and built-in wireless. The Digital Entertainer Live relies mostly on its Ethernet-based online access and has built-in support for YouTube, pay-per-view movies from CinemaNow and live internet TV through VuNow. Resembling one of Netgear's internet routers, the small device has both the 100Mbps network link as well as two USB ports for external storage, one HDMI output for digital and one RCA for analog sources. An optional USB adapter brings 802.11n Wi-Fi for those that want it later.
NetGear on Tuesday announced it is now shipping its RangeMax dual band 802.11 Wi-Fi router, the WNDR3700. The device earns its title through eight internal antennas that provide increased range and potentially better speeds: it supposedly handles as much as 350Mbps in real-world conditions. It's also the first NetGear product with its own broadband usage meter to track consumption across the entire network when using providers with low bandwidth caps, like Rogers or Time Warner Cable.
Netgear has released its planned powerline networking kit designed for home theater enthusiasts. The simply-titled Home Theater Internet Connection Kit will hook up to four devices with Ethernet ports, including gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, HDTVs and multimedia boxes like the Apple TV to the Internet via a home network. The powerline connections can be as fast as 200Mbps and can stream HD video with little buffering or hiccups.
Netgear on Monday launched the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router WNDR3300, featuring an eight-antennae setup that delivers more channels, less interference and better connections. The dual-band Wireless-N router offers the bandwidth to support simultaneously surfing the Internet, e-mailing, streaming HD video, playing online games and making VoIP calls. The new router adds a "Push 'N' Connect" feature that allows users to quickly and securely add computers to the wireless network.
NETGEAR has announced the ReadyNAS 2100, the newest edition to its ReadyNAS product line. The ReadyNAS 2100 is a 1U 4-bay storage system that enables businesses to securely share, store and protect business-critical files across a LAN or WAN, and guard against disk failures. The unit includes an enterprise-grade hard drive and Error Correction Code RAM to help provide security. The device features Intel-based chips, which the company claims makes the product, the ReadyNAS 1100, two times faster than its predecessor.
NetGear on Tuesday announced the release of its MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kit (MCAB1001), made to speed up home networking and streaming of high-definition videos and online gaming. NetGear claims the kit allows speeds as fast as 270Mbps and uses a home's coaxial cable to bridge two devices and connect them to a home network. It is compatible with major cable TV services and homes wired for cable, and lets devices with Ethernet connections, including HDTVs, Blu-ray players, DVRs and gaming consoles join the home network.
NetGear has begun shipping its latest network media streamer, the EVA9150 that was introduced at CES. The device features a 500GB hard drive that can be swapped with a higher-capacity component for additional storage. Users can play Blu-ray content up to 1080p resolution, H.264, MPEG-4, digital photos, MP3s and television shows. Along with the on-board drive, the EVA9150 can be connected to computers or other storage devices on the network.
NETGEAR hopes to lead the increasingly crowded networked media hub field with a new flagship, the company tells Wired. The Digital Entertainer Elite or EVA9150 will focus on brute hardware superiority to compete against rivals such as the Apple TV and will be one of the few in the category to play 1080p video. Appropriately, it will also carry a 500GB hard drive in an accessible bay that lets owners upgrade themselves if the storage is lacking.
NetGear will soon launch its next-generation Digital Entertainer Elite network media streamer with the EVA9000, which has been spotted undergoing testing at the FCC. Both devices have the ability to decode high definition files encoded in AVI, XviD, DivX or H.264 codecs. Compared to the EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD it's due to succeed, the new model has support for a 3.5-inch SATA internal hard disk drive and a Wi-Fi module.
