Tech Shout!

American firm Belkin, which is the manufacturer of computer hardware, specialising in connectivity devices, has introduced the Belkin N1 Wireless networking line through which you can share your internet connection wirelessly while running several applications simultaneously. Thanks to the increased speed which goes up to 300Mbps, N1 Wireless lets you run multiple applications off one router without any connection drops. The N1 Wireless networking line will ship

in North America on June 1, with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow shortly.

With the N1 Wireless Router, you can now run the following applications at the same time:

Stream HD video
Listen to digital music
Play online games
Transfer photos and home videos
Shop online and surf the Web
Email and chat
Handle multiple VoIP phone calls

Belkin N1 Wireless allows multiple receivers and transmitters to send and receive data through the air, using Intelligent MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) spatial multiplexing techniques. This smart-antenna technology builds upon the widely deployed 802.11g standard by increasing speed, coverage, and reliability of wireless systems. N1 Wireless offers a link rate of up to 300Mbps in 40MHz Channel Mode and up to 150Mbps in 20MHz Channel Mode. Providing greater range and faster speeds, N1 Wireless offers a quick and efficient way for people to distribute video, music, photos, and files among the networked computers in their homes.

The N1 Wireless Router is based on Atheros’ XSPAN™ technology that delivers a superior Wireless LAN user experience with up to six times the throughput of legacy 802.11g and 802.11a/g products, allowing a wider range of new consumer wireless applications such as multi-media streaming.

The N1 Wireless Router features a Network Status Display that displays the status of your network. The icons represent each element of your network, indicating whether or not each device is working properly to help you easily troubleshoot. When the icons are blue, this indicates that your network devices are working properly. When a device is not working properly, the icon representing that device will turn amber. Guidance for correcting the problem is included in the installation guide that is provided with the Router.

Additional Features:
Security: WPA2-Personal, 64-bit, 128-bit WEP encryption, enhanced firewall
Backward-compatibility with 802.11b and 802.11g networks
The standard transmission rate—150Mbps and 300Mbps—is the physical data rate. Actual data throughput will be lower.

It is of course also just a draft 802.11n router as all others on the market. Belkin cannot guarantee upgradeability, once the final 802.11n standard is decided on.

The Belkin N1 Wireless Router will sell for $149.99 and start shipping June 1st. The Belkin N1 Desktop Card F5D8001 sells for $119.99 and the Notebook Card F5D8011 costs $99.99.