Articles about Wireless

Regular Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is great, but Wi-Fi 6E is even better -- that's why many consumers wisely skipped Wi-Fi 6 and stuck with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) a bit longer. But wait, what exactly is the difference? Does that letter "E" really matter? Actually, yes, because it indicates the use of a 6GHz band -- a much-less crowded frequency compared to 2.4GHz or 5GHz. This extra bandwidth, lower latency, and reduced congestion is why Wi-Fi 6E is so exciting. 

To truly take advantage of this new standard, you will need both a router and clients with the capability. Today, NETGEAR announces the most exciting Wi-Fi 6E system yet. Called "AXE11000 Orbi WiFi Mesh System (RBKE963)," it is a quad-band system consisting of a Wi-Fi 6E router and two 6E satellite access points. It is designed to blanket even excessively large homes with cutting-edge wireless networking. Sadly, it carries a shockingly high price tag -- this mesh system is expensive AF!

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If your stereo receiver or speaker system lacks Bluetooth connectivity, what should you do? Throw your existing stereo gear in the trash and buy something new with the wireless standard? I mean, I suppose you could, but that would be idiotic. Instead, you can simply add Bluetooth with a dongle.

Yes, such adapters exist, allowing you to add Bluetooth connectivity to wired speakers and stereos. Best of all, they are typically very simple to use. Today, StarTech.com launches a new such dongle, and it looks to be rather premium. Called "Bluetooth 5.0 Audio Receiver with NFC," not only does it offer analog connectivity, but optical output too. It even features 48KHz/24 bit sample rate support.

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Number pads are pointless. Don't get me wrong, I am sure some older folks use them out of habit, but I -- and many other consumers -- never do. Quite frankly, since you can buy a dedicated number keypad if you truly need it, why burden everyone with them just to please a small group of people? As a result, many keyboards are longer than they need to be. While that doesn't sound so bad, it is an annoyance since it takes up valuable desk space -- especially with more and more people working from home these days.

Today, Logitech unveils a slim wireless keyboard without a number pad. Called "MX Keys Mini," it is notable for more than just being compact. The backlit keyboard can fast-charge using USB-C, and Logitech promises up to 5-months of battery life with backlighting off. With the lights on, you can expect up to 10 days of usage.

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Earlier today, Microsoft held its big Surface Event, and there were many new devices announced. As my colleague Wayne Williams shared, the company unveiled the Surface Pro 8, Surface Duo 2, and the Surface Laptop Studio just to name a few.

All of the new Surface computers are exciting, but believe it or not, I was mostly intrigued by a simple wireless mouse. Specifically, the "Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse," as it is called, really inspired me. Why? Well, the Bluetooth mouse is partly made of literal garbage. And yes, folks, that is a good thing. You see, as the name implies, the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse is manufactured using plastic recovered from the ocean -- things like non-reusable water bottles.

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When you are a hardcore gamer, having quality gear can really matter. Players need to carefully select high-end mice, keyboards, headsets, and more if they are going to compete -- especially on a professional level. Many elite gamers choose Logitech G for their hardware needs, and it is not hard to see why; Logitech's gaming brand has consistently released high-quality gear for several years.

Today, Logitech announces the G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset. As the name suggests, this wireless headset utilizes Logitech's excellent LIGHTSPEED technology -- the company's proprietary low-latency wireless solution that minimizes many of the issues gamers have with Bluetooth. If you do need Bluetooth connectivity, however, don't worry -- G435 offers that too. What's notable about G435 is Logitech's focus on sustainability -- the headset and its packaging are partially comprised of recycled materials. This is a big win for the environment.

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Headsets are an important part of the online multiplayer gaming experience these days. They allow you to communicate with teammates -- or opponents -- depending on the game. Even for offline single player games, a quality headset can usually provide superior audio compared to many low-quality computer speakers. They can also be used for music and movies, obviously.

Today, JBL kaunches an all-new premium wireless headset. Called "Quantum 350," it is designed for gamers. In fact, JBL brags that it is Discord-certified. Privacy enthusiasts should adore the detachable microphone. Best of all, it is surprisingly affordable, costing less than $100.

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There are plenty of headphone-makers nowadays, with Apple probably being the most popular. Consumers seem to love that company's wireless earbuds, the AirPods and AirPods Pro. You know what? That's totally fine. Apple makes great products, although they are often overpriced. The $500 AirPods Max over-ear headphones, however, are way too expensive. You would have to be crazy to spend so much!

Thankfully, there are much more affordable wireless over-ear headphones that are also excellent. Case in point, the ATH-M50xBT by Audio-Technica. Today, that company launches the second-generation of its popular Bluetooth headphones. Called "ATH-M50xBT2," this new product offering costs less than half the price of Apple AirPods Max.

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The Logitech K380 Keyboard and M350 Mouse Combo is a very simple and elegant solution for controlling multiple devices. The keyboard can be paired to a Windows PC, Mac, and iPhone, for example, and then you can easily switch between them by pressing buttons -- no need to pair again every time. It is particularly great for those that dual boot on a single machine, such as with Linux and Windows.

The keyboard and mouse are quite cute already -- they have rounded keys and can be had in either pink or white colors. But now, Logitech is making them even cuter. You see, today, the company launches LINE FRIENDS variants, featuring the BROWN and CONY mascots form the popular LINE messaging app. If you aren't familiar with the bear and bunny rabbit, don't feel bad -- they are apparently far bigger in Asia than America.

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Back in 2019, we told you about the beautiful Jaybird VISTA wireless earbuds. These in-ear headphones put AirPods to shame. VISTA didn't just look nicer than Apple's offerings, but they had more features and a better focus on both exercise and activities too.

Fast forward to 2021, and the sequel has finally arrived. The Jaybird Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Earbuds are here just in time for your summertime workouts. Whether you want to use them during exercise or relaxing on the couch, they should provide a great audio experience.

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TCL is on a come-up in a big way. The company's televisions are wildly popular thanks to their low prices and excellent features, and its smartphones are disrupting the industry. For instance, the wonderful TCL 10 5G UW can be had for a song -- a mere $120 when you sign up for a Verizon Unlimited plan. That's definitely the best early Black Friday deal I have seen.

TCL is not only about smartphones and televisions, however. For instance, the company makes tablets too. Today, it launches new wireless earbuds that rival Apple AirPods at a fraction of the price. Called "MOVEAUDIO S150," these Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds are chock-full of cool features -- they are waterproof, have touch controls, and the charging case uses USB-C.

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A new study from the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) into perception and behavior around connected device security reveals that most US consumers are confident that the connected devices they own are secure.

However, the survey of 1,000 respondents in two age groups (500 aged 18-34 and 500 aged 50-75) reveals this confidence may be misplaced, along with some interesting generation gaps.

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If you are a computer nerd like me, you probably play around with your PC day and night. After a few bottles of Mountain Dew (or other caffeinated beverage), you may find yourself wide-eyed at 3 am typing away. If you live alone, that may be OK. If you are married or still live at home with your parents, however, there 's a good chance your typing and clicking can be quite loud and annoying. Hell, you might even accidentally awaken your family from time to time. This can lead to people being very angry with you.

Luckily, Logitech has a new product that should help you to be quiet when using your PC. Called "MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo," the name pretty much explains exactly what it is -- a wireless keyboard and mouse with silent switches. The MK295 keyboard provides up to 3 years battery life from three AAAs, while the mouse lasts a year and a half with a single AA. Not only should the combo be ideal for home use, but business too -- it should make for a quieter office experience.

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There are many power banks on the market these days, and for the most part, they are all very similar. These devices are essentially big batteries with USB ports designed to charge up your smartphone multiple times when on the go. When you can't find an outlet, these power banks can be a godsend, but also, they can be a critical tool during a power outage. If you live in an area that gets hit by hurricanes and/or tropical storms, you should absolutely own at least one of them -- a few if you have a family.

Today, Satechi unveils a new such product that is very Apple-focused. Called "Quatro Wireless Power Bank," it has a dedicated Apple Watch charger, Qi wireless charging (perfect for compatible AirPods), and both a USB-A and USB-C port. Not only is it designed with Apple devices in mind, but its overall aesthetics seem inspired by the iPhone-maker too. It features a matte black design, but the outer rim is surrounded by a beautiful shiny metal. It weighs 0.58 lbs and its dimensions are 6.4 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches.

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If you don’t use a number pad, having one on your keyboard is a huge waste of desk real estate. It just hangs off the right side of your keyboard, mocking you. Alternatively, a tenkeyless model removes the number pad, and as a result, it will save space on your desk. Not to mention, it can allow your keyboard hand to be closer to your mouse hand while gaming — a potential benefit for comfort.

Last year, we told you about the Logitech G915 LIGHTSPEED low-profile mechanical gaming keyboard — a wireless model with RGB lighting. Today, the company unveils the G915 TKL, which is essentially the same model with the number pad removed. Number pad aside, it also loses some of the customizable buttons found on the regular G915 — a small price to pay to have more space on your desk.

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Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, such as Apple Airpods, are all the rage these days. It's not hard to see why this is -- many smartphone-makers have removed the 3.5mm port from their devices. Of course, the missing headphone jack is not the only reason -- Bluetooth models can also be better for those that exercise, as there aren't any wires to get tangled during activity.

Of course, with the Covid 19 Coronavirus on everyone's minds these days, I can understand why some wouldn't want to stick any earbuds -- wired or wireless -- into their ears. If a virus or bacteria is on an earbud, and you insert it into your ear, you could be unintentionally introducing disease into your body. Thankfully, Philips has new wireless earbuds that may solve this dilemma. Called "T702BK ActionFit Wireless Sports Earbuds," they come with a charging case that features ultraviolet (UV) cleaning. In other words, while you are charging them, and before you put them into your ears, they are being disinfected by UV light. Even AirPods can't do that!

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