Hi-tech Frontier

Fonera 2.0n wireless router available - adds media sharing, shared storage Remember that that Fonera 2.0 wireless router that's been blowing minds in Europe since way back in April? FON has announced today that it's now available Stateside as the Fonera 2.0n. If that weren't excitement enough for a Tuesday morning, the thing has received a slathering of new features, including storage (just supply your fave USB 2.0 drive), 802.11n, and the ability to sync your YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, and Facebook files, as well as clients for managing your RapidShare, Megaupload, and bit.torrent addictions. Just make sure you're not violating anyone's copyrights, huh? The movie industry is struggling enough as it is.

New Cradlepoint firmware turns MiFi into -- wait for it -- a 3G WiFi router You might imagine that Cradlepoint's feeling a bit of heat since Novatel released its fantastic MiFi series, since the whole idea behind Cradlepoint's gear is to turn 3G modems into WiFi access points. It's cool, though, Cradlepoint managed to find a tricky angle: you can't charge the MiFi, use it as a USB modem, and have WiFi enabled at the same time! We still think we'd stare, point, and laugh if we were walking through an airport and saw some dude with these two cute little boxes tethered to one another, but we've got to admit that this is a pretty big Achilles' heel that Cradlepoint's managed to solve here; all it takes is a firmware update for your Cradlepoint, and voilà, you've now got MiFi compatibility.

ASUS rolls out RT-N16 wireless router It's not a dual-band router, but it looks like ASUS has just about all the other bases covered with its new RT-N16 model. Apparently "engineered for the future" (too bad, present), this one naturally packs full 802.11n capabilities, along with a "powerful CPU" and 128MB of memory to help it eek out every last bit of bandwidth, and both four LAN ports and a pair of USB ports to accomodate your non-wireless devices. Otherwise, you can expect to get ASUS' own EZ UI, which promises quick and easy setups and customization, and all the the usual basic security measures you'd expect, including support for WPS. No word on a price just yet, but it looks like this one should be rolling out soon, if it hasn't hit stores already.

Novatel's MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router What one CDMA carrier can do, another can do better, right? Eh, not quite, but they can stare each other down holding the exact same weapon, just daring each other to make the next move. Just a week after Verizon Wireless launched the MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router, Sprint has decided to offer up the exact same product for use on its network. The battery-powered box, engineered by Novatel Wireless, enables users to connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices to Sprint's EV-DO Rev. A network, and it'll be marketed in stores as the Sprint Mobile Hotspot. According to the carrier, its unit will be the first in the US to support MiFi's GPS capabilities, allowing users to take advantage of select location and mapping applications. It should be noted, however, that Sprint's service plans differ quite significantly from those offered up by VZW. The up front cost is the same at $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate (on a two-year agreement),...

Verizon debuts MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router It was hardly a secret 'round these parts, but Verizon Wireless is finally ready to confess to that MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot we've heard so much about. Like the Novatel unit it's based on, the device harbors 802.11b/g and EV-DO Rev. A radios, and can share a 3G Verizon connection with up to five different WiFi devices simultaneously. Battery life is pegged at four hours of active use, and 40 hours of standby on a single charge. Data plans include a $40 monthly subscription for 250MB and 10 cents per MB overages, or $60 for 5GB and half the overages price. If you want to forgo the subscription and pay full-price for the MiFi, you can pick up a 24 hour "DayPass" for $15 -- any way you slice it, you'll be paying good money for the privilege of using the thing. The MiFi 2200 itself hits stores May 17th, and will run you $100 after a $50 rebate.

Ericsson's W3x Series HSPA Mobile Broadband Routers 3G routers aren't a new idea, and they still aren't for the everyman, but at least Ericsson has realized that they don't have to look hopelessly generic. The Ericsson W30 Data Router (left) and Ericsson W35 Data and Voice Router (right) just slipped past the FCC, and they seem to be near the pinnacle of their genre. They can nab HSPA / UMTS / GSM data and sling it out over WiFi and Ethernet, as well as share a USB printer, while the W35 adds in voice and fax capability. There's naturally no word on price or availability just yet, but we're mainly just excited to see this genre get the sort of aesthetic sensibility it deserves.

New Airport Extreme juggles two networks simultaneously Apple's new Airport Extreme actually brings some fun stuff to the staid wireless router market. The power comes from its new dual-band WiFi radios, allowing it to work in 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands simultaneously, support up to 50 users simultaneously and even set up a separate limited-access network for guests. That $179 pricetag doesn't get any easier to swallow, but at least you'll have the hippest 802.11n access point in your dorm.