CES 2009

Intel's WiFi PAN management interface at the CES 2009 demo.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CBS Interactive)

I love my hotel room in Las Vegas. Great view! Very fast Internet access. However, the hotel controls and charges for access to the Internet by IP address. This means I have to keep my iPhone from getting connected unless I want to pay for another connection plan, in addition to the one used for my laptop.

This, however, is going to change next CES thanks to a new Wi-Fi technology that Intel announced this year.

It's called My WiFi and it is a wireless driver and software update to Intel's Centrino 2 processor-based laptops. This software allows the computer's built-in wireless networking chip to create a separate Wi-Fi personal Area Network (PAN). This network allows up to eight other Wi-Fi Certified wireless clients to connect to it, while the computer is still connected to a separate access point, the way any computer with built-in wireless networking does now.

This dual-interface is possible thanks to Intel's 5100 Wi-Fi and Intel's 5300 Wi-Fi Link adapters that can manage both Wireless LAN and Wi-Fi PAN connections at the same time.

The PAN has its own HDCP server and supports Windows' Internet Connection Sharing, meaning that if my laptop is connected to the Internet through the hotel's service, it can share that connection wirelessly with eight other Wi-Fi clients without the knowledge of the hotel.

Sharing the Internet (whether you want to be sneaky as in my above example or not) is, of course, not the only offering of My WiFi. The technology enables users to simultaneously connect their laptops to multiple other peripheral devices, such as printers, photo frames, and cameras without a need for an access point or a wireless router.

Current Wi-Fi laptops can also do this by putting the wireless adapter in ad-hoc mode, but that is very limited. An ad-hoc connection allows a laptop to connect to one wireless device at a time and no access to an access point or wireless router at the same time.

Intel's My WiFi technology supports multiple types of security protocols, including WEP, WPA, and WPA2. It also supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup, a technology that lets you add wireless clients to a network quickly without having to manually entering the encryption key.

The deployment of My WiFi depends on vendors, but you can expect to find this as a free update to any laptop computer that run Intel's Centrino 2 processor by the second quarter of this year.

In the meantime, you can also do this a little less conveniently with an add-in travel router such as the Windy31.

LAS VEGAS--At the Consumer Electronics Show, Wireless USB devices made an appearance en masse.

What does that mean exactly? Wireless USB notebooks, docking stations, hard drives. And more consumer-centric devices like Wireless USB speakers, displays, and USB phones. In fact, Samsung was showing a prototype mobile phone. (See photo below.)

"It looks and feels like wired USB, only it's wireless," according to Jeff Ravencraft of Intel, who is president of the USB Implementers Forum, speaking in an interview at CES.

Over 130 products have been certified, according to Ravencraft. "The next thing in Wireless USB is Wireless USB 1.1 where we're adding upper band support for a worldwide footprint for ultra-wide-band frequency, easier association of the device to the host, and more power efficiency," Ravencraft said.

At close range, up to 3 meters, Wireless USB delivers up to 480 megabits per second, he said. At this range, throughput is essentially the same as wired USB, Ravencraft said. Up to 10 meters, this drops to a maximum throughput of 110 megabits per second.

Ravencraft said there are wireless hard disk drives in the market now.

ThinkPad notebook with Wireless USB Intel silicon

(Credit: Brooke Crothers)

Samsung DUOS mobile phone with Wireless USB

(Credit: Brooke Crothers)

IOGEAR was showing commercial devices with Wireless USB, including a Wireless USB audio adapter and a Wireless USB to VGA kit that makes monitors wireless.

(Credit: Brooke Crothers)

The Panasonic Z1 plasma measures just 1 inch thick, leaving little room for wired connections.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The epic battle between plasma and LCD manifests itself in numerous ways--Hz oneupsmanship, contrast ratio and viewing angle specs, lifespan claims--but until now, panel depth was a frontier comfortably dominated by LCD, with ultrathin models like the Hitachi UT37X902. Now Samsung and Panasonic aim to claim that frontier themselves, the latter with the new inch-thick Z1.

Panasonic's press material uses the term "Z1 series," which indicates to us that the company is planning other screen sizes with inch-deep panels. But for now the only size the company sees fit to announce is the 54-inch TC-P54Z1, due in summer for an undisclosed, but surely sizable, chunk of change.

Thin panels pose a number of design quandaries, such as where to connect the cables. Panasonic solves the problem by supplying a separate AV box, with a tuner and connections like HDMI and component-video, which streams audio, video, and control signals to the panel wirelessly. The company uses a 60GHz millimeter wave radio system that sounds similar to the one employed by LG for its wireless displays, and like LG claims the ability to transmit full, uncompressed 1080p video.

Aside from Digital Cinema Color, the Z1 incorporates all of the features of the thicker V10 models, including improved 24p compatibility, VieraCast; the power-saving, high-contrast, NEO PDP panel; "infinite black;" and a 600Hz sub-field drive. Check out our V10 series write-up for more details.

Panasonic plasma TVs photos

Panasonic VieraCast screenshots

Silicon Image has released a dev kit for CE manufacturers and service operators.

(Credit: Silicon Image)

One of the holy grails of consumer electronics is to create a wireless networking solution that works seamlessly behind the scenes to link together all your home AV, PC, and mobile gear throughout your house. Silicon Image, the company that brought you the HDMI standard, is on a quest to find that grail and the horse its riding is named LiquidHD.

The folks from Silicon Image are talking up the new technology at CES this year and the basic concept goes something like this: You have a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 connected to a TV in one room and you want to stream audio and video to a TV in another room. Well, if your home is connected to the LiquidHD network, you'll be able to take that high-definition audio and video and move it to any TV in any room--without losing any quality.

Just what the heck is LiquidHD? Well, it's more than just a chip you put into a TV, Blu-ray player, or cable or satellite box. The company says it's, "a suite of protocols that runs over commodity IP networks such as Ethernet, Coax like MoCA, power line like HomePlug, and wireless like Wi-Fi (802.11n)." Yes, that's a mouthful.

According to the press release, the key components include:

*LiquidDiscover: Automatic discovery and authentication of all LiquidHD-enabled devices in the home--just plug it in and the TV automatically discovers your LiquidHD source devices.

*LiquidMedia: High-definition, high-fidelity media streaming from live and stored sources.

*LiquidPixels: Pixel accurate, low latency and low bandwidth remoting of any source device's user interface to any LiquidHD display device. Includes a single remote control at each display to control all source devices on the LiquidHD network.

*LiquidControl: Secure control and communication between all devices.

*LiquidPlay: Comprehensive security and content protection architecture built on a robust hardware solution. Enables consumers to move and play their legally obtained content on any LiquidHD device they own. Also protects CE devices from malevolent attacks by securing the control commands and LiquidPixels remote user interface.

The concept of LiquidHD is admirable, but the challenge for Silicon Image is to get all the CE manufacturers and a lot of other companies to agree to adopt LiquidHD as an international standard and incorporate LiquidHD technology into various devices. That Silicon Image has a track record with HDMI gives it an advantage, but it's still going to be a serious challenge to have companies add new technology--and cost--to their products in a down economy.

Nevertheless, Silicon Image remains optimistic about its chances. It's already released a developer's kit that will allow CE manufacturers and multiple service operators (MSOs) to implement the LiquidHD technology in "residential gateways, master set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players and digital video recorders (DVR)." The company also has an endorsement from one major studio, the Fox Group.

All this is pretty technical stuff for the average consumer to digest but the end result would certainly be appealing. Getting there, however, is probably going to take a while. The company hopes to show "real" products with LiquidHD built into them at next year's CES. We'll be there if they do.

The WZR-HP-G300NH NFinity High Power wireless router from Buffalo.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CBS Interactive)

After two long years, Buffalo, just less than a month ago, regained the right to sell wireless products in the U.S. And at CES 2009, the company is showcasing a wide range of networking products that have hardly been known in the U.S. market.

Buffalo's networking products share one thing in common: affordability. All networking products currently offered by the company cost less than $100. This doesn't mean they are of sub-par quality. In my experience, it's quite the opposite.

The company's flagship product is the $99.99 Wireless-N Nfiniti High Power Router WZR-HP-G300NH. The router supports wireless speeds of up to 300Mbps and seamlessly works with the Nintendo DS. Other features, which are generally common in Buffalo wireless router, include:

• Built-in high-power amplifier improves wireless performance and extends range
• Supports WDS to increase coverage with optional repeater
• External switch to change between wireless router and wireless access point
• Easy setup with AirStation one-touch secure system (AOSS)
• Automatic channel support selects best available wireless networking channel
• Supports WPA-PSK (TKIP, AES) and 128/64-bit WEP security
• Includes NAT and SPI firewall and intrusion detector
• Dynamic packet filtering
• Built-in DHCP server
• Built-in 10/100 four-port auto-sensing switch

The WHR-G300NH also has an entry-level variant, the WHR-G300N, that supports less features and costs only $79.99.

The second wireless router, the $59.99 WHR-HP-G54 from Buffalo, actually is not a new or high-end device. This router is a 802.11g-based wireless router with AOSS and a built-in signal amplifier. The WHR-HP-G54, therefore, produces a true 60 percent increase in wireless transmit power over a standard 802.11g wireless router.

I personally have had a very good experience with the WHR-HP-G54. Once flashed with the famous custom firmware from dd-wrt, the device has turned into arguably the most versatile and stable wireless router on the market.

The third networking product from Buffalo that's worth mentioning is the Nfiniti Dual Band Ethernet Converter, model WLI-TX4-AG300N. The unit is basically a wireless bridge that allows for connecting a wired netowrk client to a wireless network. Unlike other wireless bridges that have only one network port, the WLI-TX4-AG300N features four ports and therefore can support up to four clients out of the box.

The WLI-TX4-AG300N uses the Draft N specification and is Wi-Fi certified. This ensures interoperability with other certified devices. The WLI-TX4-AG300N is backward compatible to 802.11b/g and 802.11a and costs $89.99.

While Buffalo's showcase doesn't have any revolutionary products, the fact that the company is back in the U.S. networking market is good news for customers.

All of the products mentioned above will be available by the end of this month and are backed by Buffalo with a lifetime warranty and 24/7 tech support.

The 300Mbps Wireless N Travel Router from Trendnet.

(Credit: Trendnet)

Wireless routers that fit in your pocket have been around for a long time (I especially like the Windy31, though it's a little peculiar). However, while convenient and cool, they share the same shortcoming: the lack of support for high-speed Draft N wireless.

Trendnet on Thursday ended that trait by introducing a 300Mbps Wireless N Travel Router, model TEW-654TR.

Measuring merely 2.5 inches by 3.25 inches by 0.75 inches, the TEW-654TR is arguably the world's smallest router that supports the Draft N specification, offering wireless speed up to 300Mbps (as opposed to 54Mbps of existing mini wireless routers).

The 300Mbps Wireless N Travel Router comes with a convenient carrying case, a thin 3-foot long Ethernet cable, an electrical adapter, and an alternate USB cable to power the router from a computer. This is nice feature since it spares you from having to carry the power adapter.

The TEW-654TR features an internal antenna design and one 10/100Mbps WAN port to support any broadband modem as well as other CAT5-based network inputs. The router supports the latest wireless encryption and advanced multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology. This promises to deliver high-speed wireless connectivity and long range in signal coverage.

For the first time, you can travel light without having to compromise the network performance. The new mini router TEW-654TR is slated to be available by early March and will cost about $90.

(Credit: Trendnet)

Recording and viewing images from a security camera is nothing new, but being able to do that conveniently from any location within a wireless network is. And this is exactly what Trendnet offers at CES 2009 with its first-to-market 7" Wireless Internet Camera Monitor Kit, the TV-M7110WK.

The security surveillance kit includes one 7" Wireless Internet Camera and Photo Monitor, the TV-M7, and a Wireless Internet Camera, the TV-IP110W. The TV-M7 displays streaming IP Camera video in real time via the wireless network.

The TV-IP110W is capable of providing real-time, high-quality wireless video in the M-JPEG format. The camera can perform motion-detection recording, e-mail alerts, and scheduled recordings. It comes with an easy-to-use mounting kit and can be used on most surfaces.

The 7" TV-M7, on the other hand, can automatically connect to your wireless network, detect the included camera, and stream real-time video wirelessly. Interestingly, it can also act like a photo frame that displays slide shows and plays personal videos and music. It even comes with a little remote control for you to easily change what it displays.

The TV-M7 is the first device of its kind in the market for now and allows for monitoring up to four Trendnet Internet cameras on one screen or scan between cameras one at a time. While you can do the same thing with a computer, the TV-M7 makes it much more convenient and easy to use. And, of course, it works without any computer at all.

The Wireless Internet Camera Monitor Kit TV-M7110WK seems a good investment for a large home or a warehouse. It comes with a two-year limited warranty and an estimated price of $450. It will be available shortly in the U.S.

Dell's done it. HP's done it. Toshiba's done it and so has a slew of other notebook vendors, and finally Gateway comes on board.

Gateway introduces it first notebook PC with a 13.3-inch wide-screen display, hitting the sweet spot display and size for the mobile user. However, with a starting weight of 5.3-pounds, it is a bit heavy for a 13-incher.

The UC series has a round touch pad, black, brushed-aluminum keyboard and palm rest, brushed-aluminum barrel hinges, metallic trim, and rounded edges and corners.

(Credit: Gateway)

Beginning January 8, the Gateway UC Series will be available in several set configurations and prices will begin at $799. Specifications are as follows:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• 13.3-inch Ultrabright wide-screen WXGA TFT display (1280x800)
• 3GB DDR2 667MHz memory
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M
• Slot-load 8X multiformat dual-layer DVDRW with DVD-RAM
• 4-in-1 Digital Media card reader
• HDMI connector v1.3 and VGA
• 1.3 megapixel integrated Webcam
• 6-Cell lithium ion battery
• Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N Wireless
• 10/100 Ethernet, 56K ITU v.92 ready fax/modem
• 3 USB ports
• Expresscard type 34 expansion slot
• Dimensions: 12.6 inches wide by 9.4 inches deep by 1.5 inches high
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1

Editors' note: This specific configuration is for the Gateway UC7807u and will be sold at Costco and TigerDirect.com

Leveraging the style of Gateway's MC Series notebook PC, the new Gateway MD Series notebook line delivers cinematic mobile entertainment and mainstream performance to consumers on a budget. The MD Series sports a 16:9 aspect ratio and high-definition 15.6-inch wide-screen display at a 1,366x768-pixel resolution. With its HDMI 1.3 media connection, it lets consumers connect to a display device for enjoying high-definition video and audio through a single cable. The MD series has the option for dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 graphics with DirectX 10 support and 512MB of dedicated memory.

In addition, the Gateway MD Series has Illuminated Multimedia Touch Controls give consumers quick, easy access to their digital media. The ambient light sensor adjusts the display brightness according to the external lighting. The integrated 1.3 megapixel Webcam lets consumers take and send video e-mails, make voice over IP call, send still photos, as well as enjoy live videoconferencing. Consumers can connect via 802.11a/b/g Draft N with expanded wireless features.

Available in two colors--burgundy and black--the new notebook line features a sculptured design marked by the cover's distinctive branding stripe flanked by silver accents. Both the burgundy and black feature a textured palm rest and polished keyboard surround.

(Credit: Gateway)

The MD Series platform will offer processors from both Intel and AMD. It can support up to 500GB of storage space and 4GB of DDR2 memory. Plus, the line was developed to support new technologies as they become more widespread, such as Blu-ray optical drives.

The Gateway MD Series will be available in several set configurations, beginning in January 8, 2009. Prices start at $649.

Available in Best Buy soon will be the Gateway MD7801u (in black) priced at $799 and will include these specifications:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• 4,096MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Intel integrated graphics with up to 1,759MB of Dynamic Video Memory
• 15.6-inch High-Definition wide-screen WXGA TFT Display (16:9 aspect ratio and 1,366x768 resolution)
• 500GB 5,400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• 8x multiformat dual layer DVDRW featuring LabelFlash Technology
• 5-in-1 digital media card reader
• Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/Draft N Wireless
• 4 USB ports
• HDMI 1.3 connector and VGA
• 1.3-megapixel integrated Webcam
• 8-Cell lithium ion battery
• Expresscard Type 54 expansion slot
• Dimensions: 1.3-1.7 inches tall x 15.28 inches wide x 10.43 inches deep
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1

The Gateway MD7818u will also be available at Best Buy in the same configuration listed above in a burgundy chassis. It is also priced at $799.