NETGEAR, Inc. (www.netgear.com), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, announced today at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the availability of the NETGEAR Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender, Wall-plug Edition (WN3500RP) at retail and online stores worldwide. The WiFi Range Extender amplifies any existing WiFi network, giving you a greatly improved wireless experience throughout your home for WiFi connected devices including tablets, laptops, smart TVs, smartphones and more. The extender is the latest entry to the NETGEAR family of easy-to-use WiFi range extenders and is the first WiFi range extender that can also be directly connected to speakers for music streaming using AirPlay, while at the same time amplifying an existing network connection.With an ever-increasing number of consumer products relying on WiFi connectivity, it is important that a strong signal be available to ensure your ability to take full advantage of your connected devices, while moving freely around the house and even outside on a patio or a backyard. The NETGEAR Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender provides simultaneous extension of both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi bands, increasing range and improving wireless coverage while minimizing interference on the less-crowded 5 GHz WiFi band. Furthermore, the WiFi extender supports 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi standards, ensuring compatibility with almost any wireless router and gateway, even those provided by your Internet Service Provider.

"Consumers are relying on WiFi to drive their rapidly growing number of connected devices, so WiFi dead spots are simply not an option," said Damir Skripic, product line manager for connected entertainment at NETGEAR. "Our new extender makes dead spots a thing of the past, and takes it a step further by supporting AirPlay for streaming music from iPhones and iPads to a stereo system or individual audio speakers."

For performance-oriented consumers who want the most out of their wireless network, the NETGEAR Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender supports a feature called FastLane technology. FastLane enables you to take advantage of both WiFi bands to establish a single connection, providing additional performance for bandwidth-intensive applications such as audio/video streaming and gaming. The WiFi Range Extender also features an Ethernet port, providing a high-speed Internet connection for distant, wired-only entertainment devices. The Extender is easy to set up, as it does not require an installation CD or Ethernet cable. You're able to establish a secure connection to any existing home WiFi network with the simple push of a button.

Since WiFi dead spots can be found anywhere around a connected home due to environmental factors such as building materials, it's important to place the extender in a location where it can most effectively support optimal coverage. The NETGEAR Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender has been designed with this in mind and includes real-time LED indicators helping determine optimal extender placement. The design offers flexible placement options so that you can place the extender as a wall plug or simply add the included docking station for desktop placement.

In addition, you can use the WiFi Range Extender to wirelessly stream audio to a stereo system or audio speaker using the 3.5 mm audio jack or USB 2.0 port on the extender. The WiFi Range Extender supports Airplay from devices such as the iPhone and iPad, or DLNA for wireless audio streaming from Android smartphones. Additionally, the WiFi Extender offers the ability to print wirelessly from any device connected to the wireless network in the home by simply plugging any printer into the USB port on the WiFi Range Extender.

Pricing and Availability
The NETGEAR Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender, Wall-plug Edition (WN3500RP) is available now worldwide from major retailers in stores and online at a suggested retail price of USD $99.99.