TP-LINK Talon AD7200 is the world's first 802.11ad Multi-band Wi-Fi Router

While Wi-Fi is ubiquitous nowadays, it is still a miraculous technology. If you grew up with it, you may take it for granted. Me? My early computing involved chatting on IRC using unreliable dial-up connections. Connecting to the Internet without wires is magic as far as I am concerned.

The technologies behind Wi-Fi and networking has improved dramatically throughout the years -- faster, longer range and, more reliable. If you just bought an 802.11ac router, please know that it is no longer cutting-edge. Why? Well, today, TP-LINK announces the Talon AD7200 -- the world's first 802.11ad Multi-band Wi-Fi Router, and with eight antennas, it looks absolutely wild. It offers a mind-boggling 4.6Gbps using 60GHz bands!

"With the number of smart devices in the home steadily rising, consumers need more bandwidth to ensure seamless connectivity. Leveraging Qualcomm Athero' 802.11ad wireless technology, the TP-LINK Talon AD7200 Multi-band Wi-Fi Router uses a new frequency with untapped bandwidth and channels at 60GHz. It also utilizes existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, resulting in combined unprecedented 7Gbps Wi-Fi speeds throughout the home as well as combines 802.11ad with 802.11ac MU-MIMO to provide a step up in capacity. Superior to the standard dual-band structure, the router transmits locally stored media and content from the cloud drastically faster, ensuring that devices function at prime performance", says TP-LINK.

The company further explains, "Equipped with 11ac MU-MIMO technology, the TP-LINK Talon AD7200 Multi-band Wi-Fi Router yields 2.5 times better 11ac performance while supporting several devices simultaneously for gaming and streaming. It also boasts eight antennas with high-powered amplifiers to supercharge the Wi-Fi signal, keeping smartphones and devices connected to the network at all times. Dynamic beamforming technology also further maximizes device performance and delivers a stronger, targeted signal across the entire home network. Additionally, its powerful 1.4GHz dual-core processor enables high-speed connectivity with seamless coverage. The router is also backwards-compatible, allowing it to work with older wireless protocols such as 802.11 a/b/g/n".

This router features dual USB 3.0 ports, which is ideal for sharing external storage (USB HDD or Flash drive) between computers on your network. You can also use these ports to share a printer, but nowadays, many modern printers have integrated Wi-Fi, making that far less necessary.

Earlier, I stated that 802.11ac was no longer cutting-edge. I said it mostly in jest, as AC is more than enough for most home networks. Actually, if you are happy with your current router and only use it to connect to the Internet, there's no need to upgrade. 802.11ad will largely be a waste of money for you.

Speaking of money, price is a mystery, although I expect it to be costly. TP-LINK makes solid products that are also affordable, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this priced between $300 and $500.

If you are interested in purchasing this cutting-edge beast, TP-LINK promises a release in "early 2016". It will be interesting to see if the company can be the first to market with such a router.