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The distance between your PC and HDTV just got shorter, with Linksys' shipment of the first second-generation Windows Media Center Extenders, the DMA2100 ($300) and DMA2200 ($350), which adds a built-in DVD player. When paired with a PC running Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, the new extenders can receive 1080i HD video over Wi-Fi, and deliver it direct to your HDTV via high-quality HDMI or component video connections (720i and SD video are also supported, as are composite and S-Video connections). They also provide the entire Windows Media Center experience using a special remote control and optional keyboard, so you can view photos, navigate your music library, and play Internet radio and TV, too. With an optional HD digital tuner (about $100), you can even turn your PC into an HD DVR.
While the first generation of extenders never really took off since few users had the special XP Media Center PC hardware required to take avantage of them, the new extenders are expected to be much more popular. They will work with most home Vista installations, and the use of 300Mbps draft-802.11n should ensure glitch-free video streaming (although even 802.11g will work fine with a good signal). While Linksys is the first to ship, D-Link and Niveus extenders will be available soon, with Niveus promising 1080p quality. Another option for gamers is the Xbox 360, which has HD extender capabilities built-in, although you'll have to add an adapter for 802.11n support.
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Islamic pilgrims who made the Haj last week were able to access the Web via 70 wireless access points installed around the holy sites. Provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Wi-Fi was free, and aimed at providing guidance about rituals and logistics to the millions of people who make their way to Mecca each year. According to Arab News, even journalists took advantage to research facts and then upload their stories directly from the source. Online "Haj FAQ" pages also make things easier for regular pilgrims, who don't have to chase down a live mufti for religious guidance on the rituals (such as walking 7 times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba, throwing a stone at the jamr'at, and not smoking), or deal with language barriers.
Supposedly the network will be taken down now that the pilgrimage has ended for the year. It was put up in two months using mesh Wi-Fi networking equipment from Tropos and Aptilo. Presumably, it will be installed again next year.
Ask JiWire: I have a Windows Mobile 6 smartphone with Wi-Fi and EV-DO. Can I share the 3G EV-DO access with my laptop over Wi-Fi?
Answer: While it may violate your terms of service, the answer is yes, assuming you are comfortable delving into some technical settings and installing beta software. Just be sure to use it judiciously so you don't trigger the bandwidth caps on so-called "unlimited" accounts.
You'll need to download a utility call WMWiFiRouter, which essentially enables Internet Connection Sharing on your Windows Mobile 6 (and possibly WM5) device. Fairly good directions are available on the XDA Developers Forum, where you can also ask questions if you get stuck. As Gizmodo points out, it's one way to get 3G access to your iPhone. Just don't complain to us if your battery runs out after 20 minutes of using both radios at one time...probably best to use it when plugged in.
Got a wireless dilemma you'd like answered here? Just fill out our newsletter feedback form. We'll select the most interesting questions for this space.
Wi-Fi addicts wanting to find the best seat in Starbucks without having to balance an open laptop and latte at the same time now have a more discreet solution, the Wi-Fi Detecting Watch from ThinkGeek. This $30 LCD-style timepiece has a signal strength meter that lights up when you push the button, so you can quickly walk around to find the best corner without opening your computer. It's definitely more circumspect than the flashing-light Wi-Fi Detector Shirt, also $30 from Think Geek. (Click here for a video of the shirt in action.)
However, it doesn't seem to show whether a network is encrypted or not, making it not very useful for wardriving. For that you'll still need an old-fashioned detector like the Canary Digital Hotspotter. Version 2 of the Hotspotter will be coming out soon, with 802.11n support added.
-- Becky Waring, Executive Editor
Top 10 Countries
Country |
Hotspots |
| United States | 66,219 |
| United Kingdom | 29,645 |
| France | 22,960 |
| Germany | 21,425 |
| South Korea | 15,635 |
| Japan | 8,389 |
| Spain | 5,793 |
| Italy | 5,136 |
| Taiwan | 4,389 |
| Switzerland | 3,111 |
Top 10 Location Types
Location Type |
Hotspots |
| Hotel/Resort | 44,833 |
| Restaurant | 32,454 |
| FON Spot | 27,868 |
| Cafe | 26,806 |
| Other | 24,593 |
| Store/Mall | 20,080 |
| Pub | 7,899 |
| Office Building | 5,080 |
| Bar | 3,514 |
| Gas Station | 2,673 |
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