Items tagged with Belkin
Belkin has announced a barrage of connected products at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), not the least of which is its new Linksys MR8300 mesh Wi-Fi router. Before we get to the actual router, though, let's talk a bit about the Belkin and Linksys brands, and where things currently stand (it can be a little confusing). Linksys started off as its own company way back in 1988 (first as DEW International, then later renamed Linksys), founded by Victor and Janie Tsao, a couple that had immigrated to the United States. The company built a reputation for itself, and in particular its WRT54G was a popular router model among home users. Networking stalwart Cisco acquired LInksys in 2003 and held onto...
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Foxconn is most known for building numerous devices for other major electronics companies such as Apple; in fact, Foxconn is tipped to be building the majority of the rumored new MacBook Air models. Belkin is known as one of the major sellers of accessories and docking stations that work with Apple devices and accessories for other brands of gadgets. Foxconn Interconnect Technology Limited (FIT) has announced that it intends to purchase Belkin for $866 million in cash, which the company says will create a global consumer electronics leader. "FIT is excited to acquire Belkin and its capabilities in the premium consumer products space," said Sidney Lu, CEO, FIT. "Integrating Belkin's best-in-class...
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Belkin has an intriguing suite of WeMo-branded smart devices for home automation, including light switches, motion detectors, integration with appliances, and more, but security firm IOActive recently discovered multiple vulnerabilities in WeMo--vulnerabilities that Belkin says it has now patched. Belkin’s statement on the subject reads in part: Belkin has corrected the list of five potential vulnerabilities affecting the WeMo line of home automation solutions that was published in a CERT advisory on February 18. Belkin was in contact with the security researchers prior to the publication of the advisory, and, as of February 18, had already issued fixes for each of the noted potential vulnerabilities...
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Hot on the heels of a 'TheMoon' exploit proof-of-concept being released, Linksys has both confirmed its existence, and also offers up some initial guidance. 'TheMoon' is a self-replicating piece of malware that targets a wide-range of Linksys routers, all of which can utilize a remote access feature. If this feature is enabled, a vulnerability effectively activates that allows someone to bypass the router's authentication system in order to gain access to its admin panel. On the flipside, if this feature is disabled (its official name is "Remote Management Access"), then this vulnerability simply won't exist. Linksys itself hasn't prepared a list of affected models (yet), outside of stating...
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These days, it's not tough to find a case for your smartphone. In fact, the world is overrun with them. But try finding an official LEGO case -- it's not an easy as you may think. But for fans of those popular building bricks, Belkin has some great news. The accessory company has just announced a licensing deal with the LEGO Group, which will allow Belkin to produce a new line of cases inspired by those bricks. Starting in spring 2013, Belkin will launch a variety of smartphone cases incorporating Belkin's quality product design with LEGOs. The initial line will obviously focus on iOS products (iPhone and iPod touch, namely), but other platforms will be included in the future. And yes, if you're...
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It's strange how things kind of come full circle in the technology realm, even amongst rivals. Though one could argue that Linksys, which was purchased by Cisco, has a pretty good tussle going with Belkin, it's Belkin who is handing over cash to Cisco in order to get something it's been longing for. Belkin this week announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Cisco's Home Networking Business Unit, and yes, that includes Linksys. Another year, another changing of hands of one of the world's most noted networking and accessory brands. Belkin intends to maintain the Linksys brand and will offer support for Linksys products as part of this transaction, and all valid warranties will...
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Does the world need another set-top box? Depends on who you ask. Belkin thinks the answer is 'yes,' judging by the release of its new @TV. The curiously titled box brings live and recorded content to mobile devices. It operates over Wi-Fi, or a 3G/4G cellular data network, and allows users to access all content from their home theater on tablets, smartphones, and laptops. @TV works with both standard and high-definition programming and can connect and control multiple sources, such as a digital cable box, satellite receiver, or DVD player, and it also has Wi-Fi built in and can record live TV directly to a mobile device for viewing when not connected to Wi-Fi or a data network. @TV works with...
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Home automation sort of feels like a lost art. It's popular, yes, but only in high-end homes, generally speaking. Even Google tried to push it mainstream last year with the introduction of Android@Home, but alas, it was mostly a nonstarter. Now, Belkin is dipping its toes into the game with WeMo. It's a line of modular, Wi-Fi-based products that turn an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into a remote control for household devices. Consisting of two initial products, the WeMo Switch and the WeMo Motion, WeMo works with the free WeMo app to create a scalable, customizable home control system. The WeMo Switch is a small device that plugs directly into any electrical outlet and serves as the main building...
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Belkin dabbles in a little bit of everything these days, including a fairly robust lineup of KVM products. Poke around Belkin's website and you'll find everything from 16-port KVM switches to 17-inch LCD rack mount consoles, and a whole lot more. Now the company has gone and announced its new KVM multi-platform solutions, which include a trio of Smart Cables (VGA to DVI, DVI to VGA, and PS/2 to USB). As Belkin explains it, these are all TAA-compliant and have been validated to EAL 4+ security rating by the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP), "They are the optimal solution for government agencies looking for solutions that integrate legacy systems with new workstation deployments,"...
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Belkin announced the Conserve Gateway, a router system that is designed to help you understand and observe meter readings so you can better understand how your home uses energy. The Conserve Gateway delivers this information via a web interface that lets you track your energy use. The Conserve Gateway has a Wi-Fi/Ethernet network interface that can communicate with a cloud-based device management system and data communications are secure. The device supports over the air software upgrades as well. Belkin Conserve Gateway™ Connects to Smart Meter to Provide Energy Usage Insight in the Home Belkin aims to partner with utility companies to provide in-home energy monitoring connected to the...
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Apps, apps, apps. They're everywhere, and where they aren't, they will soon be. App stores have taken over the world, and they're now leaving the smartphone realm and bleeding over to printers, netbooks and even wireless routers. Belkin is a huge networking player, and the company has been making routers, switches, hubs and all sorts of other linked products for years. The newest thing in Belkin's camp is the introduction of Apps, and while we're obviously skeptical of the importance (apps on a router?), we actually are into the idea once we gave it a listen. For starters, Belkin has made the app integration seamless and the process easy. Also, the apps are actually helpful; software will be...
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SuperSpeed USB is finally here, and while it's not going anywhere fast, it's also not exploding into the market place at a rapid pace. As with any brand new technology, it takes awhile for companies and consumers to let go of what's familiar and embrace something different, particularly when there are incompatibilities involved.USB 3.0 is a fantastic upgrade to a globally famous standard, and while USB 2.0 products will work with USB 3.0 sockets at the slower speed, users will need actual USB 3.0 ports in order to make the most of any external hard drive or other USB 3.0 peripheral that they may purchase over the next few months and years. Belkin, which knows a thing or two about making accessories,...
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Belkin has been doing quite well in the iPod and iPhone accessory market, and today's announcement should be music to the ears of those who don't feel like installing any kind of sophisticated iPod adapter into their automobile. Sure, many new vehicles have iPod support from the factory, but older models were never designed to handle Steve's most popular products ever.The TuneCase Auto LIVE is one of the most elegant FM Transmitter solutions that we've seen to date for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, as it actually uses the phone's GPS module in order to locate where you are and track down the most open radio frequency available to you. Anyone who has used an FM Transmitter will know that finding...
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Belkin announced a new Bluetooth Music Receiver that lets you wirelessly stream music from your iPhone or iPod touch through your home's stereo system. After connecting the receiver to your home stereo system using the included cables, you'll need to pair your device to the Receiver wirelessly to listen to, share, and control your music. Like other Bluetooth connections, the Bluetooth Music Receiver gives you a range of approximately 33 feet. The Bluetooth Music Receiver uses Bluetooth v2.0 and can remember up to six paired devices. It is currently available in the US for $49.99 and expected to be available in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia in March 2010. Key features of the Bluetooth Music...
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