TV Guide and mobile content provider Helio introduced a new service offering TV show information, program listings, search functions and daily recommendations to Helio users.

Text-based program alerts can be set to remind yourself and friends of what’s coming on the tube. TV Guide Mobile is available to Helio subscribers for $2.99/month, in addition to carrier data charges.

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hField Wi-Fire Review

hField sent GetUSB.info their latest WiFi signal boost device the USB Wi-Fire for product review. Below are the details from our Wi-Fire review.

Wireless Local Area Networks are by far the least expensive and most convenient way to stay connected. However, using WiFi technology means we live with limitations. The biggest limitation, and most obvious from the term “wireless local area network” is the distance between access point and receiver. To that end, hField develops WiFi extenders to boost signal strength, increase connection speed and improve reception.

The hField Wi-Fire is a directional antenna with a highly sensitive receiver designed to increase signal strength and connection speed. hField includes their proprietary software which also aids in the optimization effort. It’s important to understand the Wi-Fire is not a wireless router, but rather an add-on device to boost signal strength on a laptop or workstation which is receiving a wireless router signal.

The Review: (more…)

Update:  Review Wi-Fire from hField

hField Technologies launched their Windows Vista compatible version USB WiFi Adatper for high-performance, long-rage boost earlier this week.

The Wi-Fire boosts signal strengths up to 1,000 feet making it extremely easy for Windows XP and Vista users to login and work surf. This is more than 3 times the range of a typical 802.11 b/g network.

And for you Mac fans stop your b!tching because the hField USB WiFi extender version was released back in August.

“Wi-Fire is the perfect device—light weight and easy to use—for the seriously mobile Vista user and those who have problems connecting to their regular wireless network because of distance, obstacles or other interference,” said Tom DiClemente, hField’s CEO. “We’re dedicated to empowering people to connect better, faster and more economically.”

The Wi-Fire USB extender is available for (more…)

Due to the California Wildfires, AT&T has stated it will be offering free T-Mobile Hot Spot Wi-Fi services to San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Orange and Ventura counties.

About 600 locations total will participate. The offer began on October 27th and will last a several weeks.

It’s a very nice gesture, especially for people who lost their homes and need to reconnect online and get their life back in order. But I’m not exactly sure why AT&T is offering T-Mobile’s service for free. Weird right?

Photo Credit: MalkoffDid another major telecom merger happen and I missed it? Or is AT&T just offering other people’s products for free? Maybe I’ll take a walk down 5th Avenue at lunch time and tell people that AT&T says they can get a free copy of OS X Leopard at the Apple Store.

Think it will work?

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WUSB or Wireless USB products just began to ship and WUSB 1.1 is ramping up. Although a mild ramp, as with current transfer rates of 40Mbits/second the 1.1 spec needs to hit at least 500Mbits/second otherwise it’ll never see the light of day.

The 1.1 spec will support band groups at 6 GHz and above, including the 3-4 GHz supported by wireless USB 1.0. It aims to lower power consumption by an undisclosed amount. It also will adopt the techniques of near-field communications for letting two devices identify themselves to each other with a simple contact.

As (source) Gizmodo said: “…realistic or not, we like the ambition.”

Currently the USB Implementers Forum has certified a handful of notebooks and hubs for the 1.0 spec. The WiMedia Alliance is expected to certify the first 1.0 products shortly.

Franklin Wireless is churning out their smallest EVDO USB Modem so you can be your own hotspot - whether you’re hot or not.

EVDO or Evolution Data Only/Evolution Data Optimized provides fast wireless broadband (3G) internet service directly to your [I’m assuming] laptop [or any computer really]. All this access is now portable and available via Franklin’s USB CDU680 modem. You can take the internet with you and surf the web in your car, on the train, in the airport, at your Starwars technology convention or in your Luv Bus RV.

Some exceptional features too. 64MB flash drive - okay maybe THAT’S not impressive, built-in GPS, antenna port for external signal boost, pre-configured for PC/ Mac and swivel base USB connector.

Source: Franklin via EVDO Info

It looks like 2007 will be the year of shipping wireless USB products. D-Link offers their wireless WUSB 4 port ultra-wide band USB hub for those seeking the ultimate laziness of USB connectivity. I for one agree, leaning over to connect a USB cable to your scanner, storage hard drive or printer is just too much work.

It looks like my paperless office will also be wireless by 2008, thanks to WUSB.

The D-Link DUB-9240 wireless hub wont be the fastest kid on the block as unofficial reports indicate transfer speeds of under 10MB/second and with no transfer speeds available on the D-Link website we aren’t too hopeful. With a maximum distance from base to hub at 30 feet I doubt this distance will have a big impact on performance.

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