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"n" game
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| Get ready for the next onslaught of marketing buzzwords in the 802.11 space. Before the 802.11n standard is even written, vendors are rushing to promote their own "n-class" products. At least Belkin has chosen to be forthright by dubbing its new line of products "Pre-N." The $179.99 router pictured here, which will begin shipping Oct. 15, features True MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) antenna technology, which was developed by Airgo Networks and is one of the technologies under consideration for 802.11n. Belkin boasts that Pre-N products will offer four times greater coverage and speed than 802.11g, along with better resistance to interference. |
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Berry with a twist
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| The Siemens SK65 is the first non-BlackBerry device to feature full built-in support for BlackBerry email service, courtesy of a licensing program from Research In Motion. The phone connects to BlackBerry services via either BlackBerry Web Client or a BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Moreover, the phone features yet another new twist on how to incorporate a full keyboard into a small mobile device; the entire bottom part of the body swivels open, creating a cross shape with half the keyboard on each side. |
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More than mini
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| Apple and its iPods own public perception in the digital-audio market right now, so other vendors—even those whose participation in the segment pre-dates Apple's—are forced to play marketing catch-up. Thus Rio Audio's newest hard-disk-based player, the $249 Carbon, goes to market under the banner of having 20 percent more storage than the iPod Mini. The player uses a 5-Gbyte drive, offers up to 20 hours of battery life, and uses USB 2.0 for PC connectivity. |
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We've got you surrounded
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| Altec Lansing's AHS602 offers gamers a new level of realism with SRS Headphone technology, a virtual surround-sound process that makes the user feel like sounds are coming from all directions. The $99 headset features 40-mm drivers, a noise-rejecting microphone, an inline controller, and closed ear cups that cut down on ambient noise. |
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Smartphone sequel
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| Danger's hiptop2, to be marketed as the Sidekick II this fall by T-Mobile, features 25 percent less bulk than its predecessor, a built-in VGA-resolution camera with flash, and photo caller-ID (the ability to show a photo of the person calling in). The device also improves on some of the deficiencies of the original, offering external volume-control buttons, an external power button, two user-programmable external buttons, louder rings, and a stronger vibration motor. |
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