Articles about Linksys

When buying a wireless router for your home, there are several things to consider. First off, you must determine your budget. Then, it is wise to target a reputable brand, such as Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, or TP-Link. Lastly, you should figure out how much range you need, based on the size of your home.

If your home is particularly large, mesh router systems, such as Google WiFi, can be a godsend. Rather than leveraging a single router, multiple access points work together to blanket your home in glorious Wi-Fi. Today, Linksys unveils its mesh offering, and it looks amazing. Dubbed "Velop", it is not only chock-full of solid specs and features, but it is very pretty too. Heck, you can even set it up easily using Bluetooth and a mobile app!

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The blue 'WRT' routers from Linksys are iconic. These open source-friendly devices have been very popular with in-the-know consumers that enjoy flashing alternative firmware, such as OpenWrt or DD-WRT. This can sometimes provide added features and functionality.

Today, Linksys unveils its latest such offering, the AC3200 WRT Gigabit MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Router (WRT3200ACM). The 802.11AC device features Tri-Stream 160 technology, 512MB DDR3, and a 1.8 GHz Dual Core processor. Despite all of these amazing specifications, it is surprisingly affordable.

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In a little over two weeks, new rules will come into play that pose something of a threat to people who like to install open source firmware on their routers. The Federal Communications Commission is implementing guidelines designed to prevent users from modifying their routers in such a way that would make them operate outside of their licensed frequency range and interfere with other devices.

Many router manufacturers have opted for the easy way out, and decided to simply completely block (or continue to block) the installation of third party, open source firmware. Not so with Linksys. The company has been working with Marvell and the makers of OpenWrt to ensure that the Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) setting cannot be disabled so that users can still install and use open source firmware.

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When friends or family ask me to help with their Wi-Fi woes, I often discover the same thing -- low-cost and aging routers. Understandably, people are always looking to save a buck, but a router is not the place to do so. A quality router is worth the money -- dropped connections and necessary reboots are a scourge.

Today, Linksys announces that its EA7500 MAX-STREAM AC1900 MU-MIMO 802.11ac gigabit router is available for pre-order. Not only is it fast and chock-full of features, but it is reasonably priced too.

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When it comes to home networking, nothing is more iconic than the classic blue Linksys router. When I worked at CompUSA, I sold a ton of them, and for good reason -- they worked well. Over the years, some of the models proved popular for open-source firmware replacements, making them attractive to tinkerers.

Fast forward to today, and Linksys announces a new open source-friendly router, which builds upon the existing WRT1900AC. With a faster processor and double the RAM, the new model gets an "S" moniker -- reminiscent of Apple's iPhone naming -- as WRT1900ACS. Are you excited for this Linux-powered home router?

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Aesthetics in technology matters. While I am not a huge Apple fan, I must give the company props for being a trendsetter in this regard. While form should never take precedent over function, hardware should be attractive. I mean, why not?

Today, Linksys announces the RE6700 Wireless Range Extender. While such a thing is normally a boring affair for all but the most nerdiest of nerds, this is different. Why? It is so friggin' cute! Seriously, it is gosh-darn adorable and looks like it has a personality. Most importantly, however, is that the specs are great too.

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Quality routers are worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. A shoddy Wi-Fi connection is enough to drive you insane. I've bought budget routers that have been absolute nightmares; many dropped connections and needed reboots. Do yourself a favor and buy something from a reputable manufacturer.

Linksys is one of those reputable manufacturers, offering many wonderful networking products. Today, the company begins shipping the EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 router. What makes this notable? It is the world's first MU-MIMO router to ship to consumers. In other words, this thing is likely to be awesome. Will you buy it?

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Network and multimedia hardware company Linksys is seeking beta testers to trial a new product for high-definition TVs, which enables displaying pictures, music or videos on the TV over a wireless network. Those not selected will have the opportunity to beta test future products from Linksys.

Testers for the Apple TV-like device must speak fluent English but live in the United Kingdom, France or Germany, as well as owning an LCD or plasma HDTV and at least two computers running Windows. Those in the United States and Canada can still go through the application process, but not complete the specific test survey to be considered first for future betas. For more information and to apply, visit the beta callout page.

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While an agreement reached between Apple and Cisco over the use of the iPhone trademark allows both companies to continue to use it, Cisco spokespersons have been non-specific this morning with regard to whether its Linksys division will continue to use "iPhone" with regard to its VoIP products.

Last December, just weeks ahead of Apple's iPhone announcement at Macworld -- which was easily the worst kept secret in consumer electronics -- Linksys re-christened some of its voice-over-IP products that had carried the CIT and WIP model numbers as "iPhone." Linksys claims ownership of the iPhone trademark, having gained those rights through an acquisition of original trademark older Infogear in 2000.

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A six-year-old registered trademark, acquired by Cisco Systems after the 2000 acquisition of telephone equipment supplier InfoGear, and which applied at the time to a device no one would want today, may just now pay off for Cisco's consumer division. Linksys today announced it's attaching the iPhone trademark to its line of VoIP and Skype phones.

Back in August 2005, Linksys demonstrated its first series of wireless Skype phones, though Engadget correctly ascertained the CIT200 model wasn't really WiFi - that it actually transmitted over the 1.9 GHz band. Last May, during what could be considered the "first re-introduction" of Linksys' VoIP equipment in the US, the company presented its first real WiFi VoIP phone, the WIP300, this time with support for SIP v2 signaling protocol.

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Linksys on Wednesday announced the first of its wireless VoIP phones to work over an 802.11g network. The company says that it plans to introduce more phones in the coming months with the capability that would help spur the burgeoning VoIP industry.

"Voice over IP has clearly emerged as the future of telephone communication and Linksys is leading the way," said Tarun Loomba, director, product management, Linksys. "With the launch of our family of WiFi phones, we can take the technology to a whole new level."

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Linksys and D-Link both announced ahead of Tuesday's start of CES 2005 new wireless media players that will allow consumers to play and stream multimedia through their home entertainment systems. However, D-Link's offering will be the first player to support Windows Connect Now, a proprietary version of DTCP-IP.

D-Link's media player will have the capability to play DVD and CD-Rs, as well as be able to read flash cards through included drives on the unit. Linksys' device, on the other hand, can only be used for media that is stored on the host computer.

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Cisco Systems announced on Thursday intentions to purchase Linksys in a common stock deal valued at $500 million. The move represents Cisco's first foray into the home and small office networking market. Linksys, which currently sells more than 70 consumer network products, will become a division of Cisco helmed by Charlie Giancarlo.

"Fueled by consumer broadband adoption, the home networking space has experienced mass market acceptance. Linksys has captured a strong position in this growing market by developing an extensive, easy-to-use product line for the home and small office," said John Chambers, president and CEO of Cisco Systems, in a statement.

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