Wireless USB hub breaks the ties that bind us
I was all gaga over the wireless USB hub that Toshiba unveiled at the CES early this year, even if it's only going to be available for the R400 Tablet PC. The demonstration I saw was just so cool, bring the Tablet within a few feet of the hub and all the peripherals (including the monitor) auto-connected. The wireless USB standard should make it easier for OEMs to start producing generic versions of the wireless hubs and the first to the market that I'm aware of is from Gefen. You have to use a dongle on your mobile PC but it has a 60 foot range which is phenomenal. There are four USB ports on the hub so you can hook all your peripherals at once and connect up when needed. It will be cool when notebook OEMs start integrating the dongle right into the devices so we can forego the dongle.
(via Mobile Mag)
Are Bluetooth or WIFI able to do this job, with the correct software? The technology must be the same?
The main thing I would be looking for in a wireless hub would be Monitor VGA/Digital out. Suchas the R400s Docking. This would make desktop docking perfect.
Posted by: Rich Turner | May 03, 2007 at 07:08 AM
I won't hold my breath on this. Belkin announced a wireless USB hub more than a year ago and it's still not here. However, I believe the Belkin hub was using 802.11g, while this one is RF (and only includes drivers for Windows XP SP2 - read back to the source), so I'm guessing it has a better chance of seeing the light of day.
Posted by: Sumocat | May 03, 2007 at 08:16 AM
Actually the Belkin "Cable Free USB" hub has been out for a couple of months now. It was initially slated for January this year but was pushed and not released until late February early March. You can find it on Amazon, Buy.com, or Belkin direct for $199.99 which isn't bad considering the quoted price I saw for the Gefen. I've been meaning to get one but most of my peripherals are already BT enabled so I keep postponing it. Good to see that the tech is starting to get out to market though. Any solution that gets rid of wires is good with me!
Posted by: J.R. | May 03, 2007 at 10:19 AM
I didn't realize Belkin released their hub under the name "cable-free". Explains why I couldn't find it. Well, there goes my next $200. Thanks for the info, J.R.!
Posted by: Sumocat | May 03, 2007 at 03:47 PM
SKU: EXT-WUSB-4P
Price: $399.00
Are you freaking kidding me? Thanks for the article, but a wireless USB hub at the price of a used laptop computer? Geezus. Some Gefen goober must be smoking crack while sniffing glue. I have some items to sell Gefen...
1) Pencil with LED light: $120
2) Doughnut with paper handle: $55
3) CD case with yellow tinted plastic: $133
4) 2004 phone book: $55
5) USB cable with titanium grip protector: $110
6) UPS for DC current computers: $455
7) Picture of Chappaquiddick with fake Ted Kennedy Signature: $1,333.19
Posted by: Zeke Schlaboda | May 12, 2007 at 07:59 AM