Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

If you’re not satisfied with the driving directions you get on Google Maps, a few smart guys at MIT have created an elaborate new toy called CarTel just for you. They’ve equipped a fleet of Boston-area cars with computers that automatically connect to any 802.11 access points detected in transit, then send home data recorded by their on board diagnostic systems, all in just a few hundred milliseconds. The result: a website that gives you directions based on information gathered in real-time so you can avoid high-traffic areas or say, if it’s raining, roads which have historically been congested in adverse weather conditions — no GPS required. The project also keeps a record of all access points detected, so think of it as wardriving for the good of humanity — and you (probably) wouldn’t even get arrested for participating!

[Via PhysOrg]

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Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

If you’re not satisfied with the driving directions you get on Google Maps, a few smart guys at MIT have created an elaborate new toy called CarTel just for you. They’ve equipped a fleet of Boston-area cars with computers that automatically connect to any 802.11 access points detected in transit, then send home data recorded by their on board diagnostic systems, all in just a few hundred milliseconds. The result: a website that gives you directions based on information gathered in real-time so you can avoid high-traffic areas or say, if it’s raining, roads which have historically been congested in adverse weather conditions — no GPS required. The project also keeps a record of all access points detected, so think of it as wardriving for the good of humanity — and you (probably) wouldn’t even get arrested for participating!

[Via PhysOrg]

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Filed under: Wireless

While 802.11n has been stuck in endless certification hell for years, the IEEE keeps cranking out additional wireless standards — the latest is 802.11r, which allows devices to move from access point to access point with less than 50ms in downtime, even for authenticated connections. That’s quick enough to keep a voice call alive, which should make the next generation of VoIP phones and other devices that much more flexible when support arrives — let’s hope that’s soon.

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Filed under: Wireless

If you haven’t made the leap to 802.11n (or, even better, 5GHz 802.11n), you might want to start holding on to that loose change — you’ll probably have enough by the end of the week to pick up D-Link’s new DIR-628 router, which has an official MSRP of $119, but will sell at Best Buy for just $79. The dual-band router obviously isn’t the most feature-packed unit out there, but in terms of straight connectivity, it’ll get the job done as long as the firmware is reasonably stable — and to be honest, that’s all we really want a router to do. Should be out now — we’re telling you, 5GHz is freaking amazing.

[Via SmallNetBuilder]

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Filed under: Wireless, Networking

If you’ve tried every antenna and extender on the market today with subpar results, HD Communications is apt to become your new best friend. The outfit has just revealed its HD26200, a “complete outdoor wireless network bridge in the 802.11b/g unlicensed 2.4GHz band that sells for only $318.” Said device bridges wireless internet between two locales up to 5 miles apart without requiring a single RF cable, being that both Ubiquiti network radios are powered over Ethernet. If you’re looking for the catch, the bridge does require a direct line of sight between the two locations, but the firm is reportedly looking to expand its non-line of sight family by the summer’s end.

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Life’s just too good to only unveil one new television in a sitting, right LG? Apparently the firm is in total agreement, as it has decided to also shed a little (and we stress little) light on its (similarly designed) forthcoming 52-incher. The 52LG71 LCD TV claims to be the “world’s first 1080p LCD with an integrated 802.11 Wireless System,” and while we’ve certainly seen a few plasma sets doin’ the WiFi thing before, you won’t find us kvetching about newfound competition. Interestingly, we’re not told what flavor(s) of 802.11 this thing supports, but considering that it can supposedly handle HD streams without a single hiccup, our bets are on 802.11n. Nevertheless, we’ll hopefully be finding out the specifics soon enough, but for now, let this serve as motivation to start packing away any extra pennies as you wait for this to grace store shelves.

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