Belkin introduces wireless USB hub

[Darksaber]

(Compton, CA) - December 4, 2006 - The Belkin Cable-Free USB Hub, the industry's first USB Hub that does not require a cable to connect to the computer, will be available for purchase in mid-December. Utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology with the Wisair chipset, this Hub allows you to place your laptop anywhere in the room so you can print, play music, scan, download photos, and burn CDs from anywhere in the room.


Cable-Free USB Hub (F5U301) - $199.99

• Gives desktop-computer users the freedom to place their USB devices anywhere in the room without running long cables
• Laptop users gain the freedom to roam wirelessly with their laptops around the room while still maintaining access to their stationary USB devices
• Connects USB printers, cameras, scanners, and other devices to your computer wirelessly, from up to 30 ft. away
• Transfers data at speeds of up to 480Mbps for USB 2.0 devices
• Includes a 4-port Hub, a USB Dongle (that connects into your computer), and a Dongle stand to give you optimum wireless reception

Availability
Mid-December, with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow at an indefinite date, pending respective country's regulatory approvals.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[i_am_mustang_man]

genius!!!!
they have cat5 to usb too, single use wireless internet (no sharing!), printing, sound! (with usb sound card!), and everything

this is pretty cool imo

i wish it 19.99 tho

 

[Jimmy 2004]

So could you use this to share a printer or can it only connect to one computer at a time? Haven't read that you can anywhere but admittedly that might cause other complications.

 

[Easy Rhino]

uh

Cable-Free USB Hub (F5U301) - $199.99

• Gives desktop-computer users the freedom to place their USB devices anywhere in the room without running long cables

• 
  
  what long wires?
  
  

  [*]Laptop users gain the freedom to roam wirelessly with their laptops around the room while still maintaining access to their stationary USB devices

  
  wow, you dont have to plug a really small thin piece of plastic into your laptop while roaming about...
  
  

  [*]Connects USB printers, cameras, scanners, and other devices to your computer wirelessly, from up to 30 ft. away

  
  dont they already make wireless adapters for these for much cheaper?
  
  

  [*]Transfers data at speeds of up to 480Mbps for USB 2.0 devices[*]Includes a 4-port Hub, a USB Dongle (that connects into your computer), and a Dongle stand to give you optimum wireless reception

ok...so...

am i missing something here? almost 200 bucks for this???

 

[Jimmy 2004]

wow, you dont have to plug a really small thin piece of plastic into your laptop while roaming about...

What about your MP3 player? If like to have your iPod docked to your laptop so you can update it easily but don't want to carry it around it would be good, or maybe an external hard drive? Admittedly $200 is quite a bit but when wireless USB comes down in price it will be good. You could argue they could have done something like this much cheaper with bluetooth, but I suppose one of the main features is the very high transfer rate.

 

[Easy Rhino]

What about your MP3 player? If like to have your iPod docked to your laptop so you can update it easily but don't want to carry it around it would be good, or maybe an external hard drive? Admittedly $200 is quite a bit but when wireless USB comes down in price it will be good. You could argue they could have done something like this much cheaper with bluetooth, but I suppose one of the main features is the very high transfer rate.

alright, that is true. obviously there are some real good uses for it as you pointed out. personally i couldnt justify that expense just for a little bit more convenience. but thats just me.

 

[newtekie1]

what long wires?

Well lets see, if I wanted to plug my USB printer into my laptop and still maintain the same mobility, the USB cable would have to be 30 feet long. That long wire.

 

[Namslas90]

No, The printer is also routed into network wirelessly.

 

[Easy Rhino]

No, The printer is also routed into network wirelessly.

exactly

 

[Jimmy 2004]

Well lets see, if I wanted to plug my USB printer into my laptop and still maintain the same mobility, the USB cable would have to be 30 feet long. That long wire.

Lol, I could just imagine that.

 

[newtekie1]

No, The printer is also routed into network wirelessly.

You are looking at spending at least $70 for just a wireless print server, and you can't use it for anything else.

What about the external hard drive, DAP, and Digital Camera? All which I am now able to use from across the room with my laptop. What is the point of having a laptop if I have to sit at my desk and use it all the time?

I can especially see this useful in a place like a college dorm, where the wireless network is provided for you, space is limitted, and you can't necessarily keep your printer right next to your desk. In fact I would have bought one of these in a heartbeat if they were available when I was in college. I would have gladdly replaced the 15 foot USB cable I had connected to my printer on a dresser strung around my bed to my desk.

 

[Wile E]

No, The printer is also routed into network wirelessly.

Not if you don't have a networked printer.