- September 2, 2009 3:07 pm
Those of you who live in an apartment in or major city know that at any given point, firing up the wifi on your device will hook you at least half a dozen different networks. But, not everyone has the convenience of being around a handful of networks. For some, they have to make do with a solitary network and often have to deal with weak signals and poor link quality. I live in a house in northern Indiana where I have room to roam with my laptop. Obviously, the signal deteriorates pretty quickly the further from the router I move. There are some days I would like to sit in the deck or even on in the yard and enjoy some nice digital surfing on the internet waves. Just using the integrated wifi card in my laptop will net respectable distances. However, to truly venture into the outside world with laptop and internet in tow, a more beefy adapter is needed. Today I will be reviewing the Wi-Fire Long Range Wi-Fi adapter.
As any mobile Mac user will account for, I’m sure it’s pretty frustrating when you whip open your laptop to do business or play and discover you simply can’t get a good signal if any at all. While signal strengths and the ability to actually latch on to lower strength signals varies greatly from device to device, having the ability to increase your range proactively is something any mobile user should covet. The Quicky Jr. II does just that. According to manufacturer claims, the Quicky Jr. II can increase your Macs wireless mobility by up to 3 times your standard range! Using a single plug-and-play driver ensures quick and simple set up without the uneeded hassel of having to hunt high and low for a compatible driver. As far as system requirements go, OS X 10.4 and a USB port are all that is needed. As long as your network operates on the 2.4GHz b/g/n frequencies you’re good to go with the Quicky Jr. II. Keeping your data safe is tantamount in this day and age. Thankfully the QJ2 supports WEP and WPA passwords with both 64- and 128-bit encryption protocols. Wrapping it all up, the QJ2 stands only 6 inches tall meaning the “mobile” part of your wireless freedom won’t be hampered with some big, unsightly stick jutting up from your laptop. $90 and it’s yours.
[Product Page]
Source: MacNN
So, are you in one of the 3 places on the planet where Verizon doesn’t have any coverage? You can stop saying “Can you here me now?” and finally start having a normal conversation inside of your house instead of aimlessly roaming around your front yard searching for a signal. Verizon has made good on their promise, (and on time), to release the “Verizon Wireless Network Extender” for the low price of $249.99. What is this new fangled femtocell/range extender you ask? A femtocell uses a broadband internet connection to turn itself into a mini cell tower thereby giving you coverage in areas you previously had little or even none at all. You can expect to take and make calls up to 5,000ft from the mini tower with support for up to 3 lines. A fourth line is reserved for emergency phone calls. So stroll around your house, sit outside, or just feel the freedom that 5,000ft gives you. Now if only The Big Red could come up with a little more reasonable price, I’m sure a few more people would jump.
Source: Boy Genius
