OMG. What unholy union has D-Link created here? D-Link today is unveiling to the world a cross-segment device that combines a 802.11n Wi-Fi router, 3.2-inch photo frame / data display, NAS server with UPnP / BitTorrent / FTP functionality, and SharePort server for printer and scanner sharing. Ok… so after all that has sunk in, it’s really not that bad. In fact, combining a NAS server with a wireless router is pretty cool. The big mystery is the LCD. The company’s press release states: “the vibrant LCD screen [...] displays device status via graphical gauges, digital photos, streamed video, weather forecasts and other live streaming Internet content in up to 1.6 million colors.” Something tells me D-links want you to place this device right on your desktop or bookshelf. Price, availability, and storage capacity: TBD. MORE »

A new study from international research firm Parks Associates finds consumer demand for networking features will drive the next wave of consumer electronics purchasing, particularly for imaging and mobile devices such as digital cameras, photo frames, and mobile phones. Digital Media Evolution, a new survey from Parks Associates, finds nearly 50% of U.S. broadband households want a digital camera with networking capabilities, with nearly 40% similarly interested in a networked digital photo frame. MORE »

It’s probably true that most of our readers are more than happy using a traditional broadband provider for their home’s Internet access, but I’m sure there’s a few of you out there who are mobile warriors who want the lowdown on which cellular network currently has the fastest 3G download and upload speeds. So, it’s with great respect I point you folks to the hard work Gizmodo put into conducting their 8 major city nationwide test comparing AT&T, Sprint, Verizon’s mobile broadband service. Verdict: Best Overall Download Speed Winner – Sprint, Best Overall Upload Speed Winner – AT&T (Sprint came in second).

Related: Gizmodo - Sprint Dual U300 Modem Will Connect to Both EVDO and WiMax

Here’s some interesting industry news. DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) has approved MoCA’s (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) technology as a connectivity standard, along side Wi-Fi and Ethernet, in the next version of its Networked Device Interoperability Guidelines scheduled to be released in early 2009. For those unfamiliar MoCA, their technology enables users to pipe data transmissions through their home’s existing cable TV wiring (aka coax cable) at speeds of up to 175 Mbps to experience multi-room DVR, PC to TV connectivity, and high-speed Internet gaming among other things. Check out MoCA’s introductory video here [WMV] — full press release below. MORE »

Sweetness. Popcorn Hour has just added a $37 802.11n (draft 2.0) USB 2.0 Wi-Fi adapter to their product line up that supports all Networked Media Tank models (A-100, A-110, B-110). The WN-100 features support for WEP / WPA / WPA1 and WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK encryptions and mechanisms, leverages MIMO and CCA technology for outstanding performance, and is capable of providing ad-hoc and infrastructure modes. [via]

Tired of paying for a separate data plan for your laptop and cellphone? Have a look at this gem by Novatel Wireless coming out early next year. The Novatel Wireless MiFi is a credit card sized device that’s capable of accessing your mobile 3G data plan and creating an instant Wi-Fi hotspot for all of your devices. Not sure how many people would use this at home as a sole Internet solution, but it’s a perfect gadget for business people on-the-go or students. No word on pricing, but the company says the MiFi will be available to “global tier-one operator customers and retail channels.” [via] MORE »

If you’ve been looking for a way to double your home’s Wi-Fi coverage, have a look at Hawking Technologies’ new $99 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender. Hawking claims that their extender is the first to be compatible with all existing 802.11b/g/n networks and is capable of repeating transmissions at up to 300Mbps. What’s more, Hawkings states that they’ve taken great pains to make the setup as easy as possible and have included a PC software utility to help users specifically target their network ID and no others. Full press release after the jump. MORE »

CE Pro’s article originally was supposed to be about Monster Cable teaming up with Sigma Designs to create their own Wireless HD technology called Monster Digital Express HD. However, the writer went into some detail on why consumers are seeing a lag in Wireless HD product shipments of the Gefen Wireless HD (based on Tzero & Amimon) and Belkin FlyWire (based on Amimon) that some of you may find of interest. As it turns out the problem revolves around HDMI compliance and the fact there’s no industry accepted “Wireless HDMI” standard. Gefen’s Khasha Roholahi told CE Pro: “You have to support the whole HDMI spec [including HDCP and DVI].” So it sounds like no one wants to ship a product a $1,500 (estimate) at this point that’s not 100% HDMI spec compatible for all users – especially since most users are planning on playing back HDCP protected content from Blu-ray discs. The article also touches on competing technologies from WDMI, Radiospire, and Pulse-Link.

UPDATE 1: I was just browsing Gefen’s product selection and they’ve got a new HDMI 1.2 compliant Wireless for HDMI UWB device available for pre-order for $999 (no official ship date stated).

UPDATE 2: Belkin states their product is HDCP-compliant as well. Hmmm. Something doesn’t sound right about the delay. In any case, it’s also available for pre-order for $1,499 (no official ship date stated).

Ever wish you could access many of your USB peripherals wirelessly? If yes, Cables Unlimited has a unique $129 solution that you might be interested in if your a Windows XP or Vista user. The company’s Wireless USB Kit is a receiver and transmitter duo that is designed to work with a single USB device or with many at once via a USB hub up to 30-feet away. The catch is that only one user can have access to the paired device(s) at a time and the product can only support non-isochronous peripherals. In other words, the kit does not support USB webcams, speakers, or microphones. [via]

According to joint a press release statement with Intellon, Monster (aka Monster Cable) is announcing that the company will be using Intellon’s HomePlug-AV integrated circuits in its upcoming Monster Digital Express PowerNet 200 product line [demo video]. The new powerline networking products will leverage Monster’s “expertise in power filteration and surge protection… as well as enhance the speed of the powerline communication by filtering out powerline noise.” No doubt it will be a kick-butt product perfect for transporting high-def video/data to network media devices and home theater PCs. Early reports suggest that the PowerNet 200 will be sold individually for $149, or packaged as a pair for $289. MORE »