Broadcom, the company that makes chips for wireless and broadband communications, is unveiling four new wifi chips at CES 2012. This new generation which the company is calling “5G Wifi”, will support speeds up to 1.3Gbps or 162.5 MB per second and use the 802.11ac standard.

For users who do a lot of home video streaming, these new wifi chips will allow them to not only stream content much faster, but allow them to have higher quality content thanks to the fact that the days of buffering are virtually obsolete.

How is Broadcom able to pull it off? From PCWorld:

“The new standard achieves this performance through a variety of mechanisms, including wider channel bandwidth of 80MHz or more, a higher modulation scheme and beamforming, which directs a radio’s signal. In addition, the new standard will solely use the 5GHz band, which currently is less crowded with Wi-Fi and other devices than is Wi-Fi’s other band at 2.4GHz.”

Thanks to these wifi chips running on the 5GHZ band, users can expect very little if any interference at all. As demand for wireless home network streaming grows, this line from Broadcom is sure to support the speeds that people need.

As far as the 802.11n wireless standard today:

“Even the lowest end of 802.11ac technology will outstrip current 802.11n gear, and with lower power consumption. A single-stream radio has a theoretical top speed of 433M bps, or about 350M bps in the real world. Those single-stream components can be used in mobile phones. With 802.11n, even multiple-stream devices don’t typically surpass 300M bps.”

Broadcom Unveiling New Lightning Fast Wifi Chips, Up To 1.3Gbps is a post from: The Inquisitr

Researchers for the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) have issued a warning regarding a Wi-Fi router vulnerability for users of the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) PINs

Researcher Stefan Viehbock found that the hack allows users to easily gain access to routers through the practice of brute-force attacks and specialized software tools to guess the PIN codes.

While eight-digit PIN numbers allow for more than 100 million possible security combinations Stefan found that just 11,000 or less combinations were needed to hack systems.

The system uses so few attempts because an incorrect PIN guess sends a system notification that tells a user if the first half of their 8-number pin was entered incorrectly and then reveals the last digit of the PIN as a checksum.

According to the US-CERT warning:

“It has been reported that some wireless routers do not implement any kind of lock out policy for brute force attempts,” and “This greatly reduces the time required to perform a successful brute force attack.”

Vulnerabilities exist for some D-Link, Netgear, Linksys and Buffalo routers (others likely suffer from the same issue but were not tested).

Viehbock says he has been ignored by hardware vendors despite using a proof of concept Python tool to break router codes in just a few seconds.

This should make users think twice before implementing the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).  Are you surprised to learn that Wi-Fi company’s have so easily turned their backs on a system that can be hacked with very little effort in a matter of seconds?

[Image via ShutterStock.com]

Wi-Fi Pin Vulnerability Discovered By Research Team is a post from: The Inquisitr

If you are reading this on a WiFi-enabled computer, please be warned that a new study published in the Fertility and Sterility journal has linked WiFi connectivity with possible sperm damage.

Researchers placed drops of healthy sperm near a laptop downloading data. Four hours later, it was observed that a quarter of the sperm stopped swimming and 9 percent showing DNA damage. In a separate controlled environment away from the computer, only 14 percent of the sperm stopped swimming.

Argentinian researchers believed that electromagnetic radiation from wireless internet caused the zapping of the sperm.

If this is any consolation to WiFi loving men, researchers said that the results were not conclusive and more research should be done.

If in case this is true, would you give up using WiFi for a healthy sperm?

WiFi May Be Nuking Your Sperm is a post from: The Inquisitr

It seems that we are all infringing on the patent of a company by the name of Innovatio IP every time that we use WiFi and while they have been concentrating on suing everyone from coffee shops, grocery stores, and hotels there are some who would suggest that they could eventually go after home owners.

Some of the companies that have been targeted include: Panera Bread, Best Westerns, Caribou Coffee, Comfort Inns, and more; with “offered” settlements between $2,300 and $5,000. In other words amounts that are low enough to make it cheaper for the “offending” companies to settle rather than fight in court.

It is reasoning like this that allows companies like  Innovatio IP to profit because what they might not make in large legitimate claims they can make more by peppering multiple companies with low-amount “irritation” claims of copyright infringement.

Even though much of this questionable litigation is being directed towards companies the lawyers for Innovatio IP believe that their patents, which they purchased, are also being infringed on by anyone using a home WiFi network. They have stated however that they don’t plan on going after home WiFi users – at this point in time.

“Innovatio has made a strategic and business judgment at this stage that it doesn’t intend to pursue [lawsuits on the basis of] residential use of WiFi,” McAndrews said during a phone conversation last week.

However the lawyers also stated that they plan to licence this portfolio to the fullest extent, meaning of course anyone using WiFi.

via Techdirt

WiFi users violating our patent says patent troll but home users safe – for now is a post from: The Inquisitr

It is getting harder and harder to think of things that are truly from the world of science fiction and not have someone be able to create those things today with even run of the mill technology.

Such is the case with the WASP; or as Richard Perkins and Mike Tassey call it the Wireless Aerial Surveillance Platform. Where once something like WASP might have been relegated to fanciful futuristic spy movies these two gentlemen plan on showing a working model at this year’s Black Hat and Defcon conferences.

Building off of an old Air Force drone they packed the miniature aircraft with a  tiny Linux powered computer, hacking software, a 4G T-Mobile card, an HD camera, and 32 GB onboard storage.

Just what does WASP do with those gigabytes? Originally, it was designed for Wi-Fi penetration — cracking network passwords while loitering above a target area. But the newly upgraded WASP can now trick GSM phones into connecting with its 4G card as if it were a standard cellphone tower. Once connected, the WASP quietly records any phone conversations or text messages while connecting the call via VOIP, thus giving the mark the impression that the call went through normally.

Keep in mind that nothing on the WASP is particularly new. The password cracking techniques have been around for quite some time, and the phone-spoof is based off a trick shown off at Defcon last year. But by placing them on a flying platform, Perkins and Tassey have shown that consumer technology and hacking techniques have progressed to the point where once untouchable targets are now vulnerable.

via Geekosystem

And we use to think stuff like this was only found in the movies.

WASP: the WiFi and 4G flying snooper that anyone could make is a post from: The Inquisitr

Technology is always on the march forward with new stuff being announced all the time but for various reasons very little of what gets announced ever makes it to market.

One of the newest announcements is the one today from the tech-heads at the IEEE standards body that could potentially transform our access and use of the Web.

The new technology is in relation to the next generation WiFi standard, WiFi IEEE 802.22TM, and how it would increase the current coverage area for WiFi to 60 miles and increase speeds to 22Mps.

The new standard does this by utilizing television bands without interfering with the reception of existing television broadcast stations.

This technology takes advantage of VHF and UHF TV bands and transmits broadband wireless internet over 60 miles in diameter. This technology takes place in the space between channels, aka the place where the poltergeists live, if you believe technology lore. The officials at the IEEE standards body have noted the following about this new age in wireless technology:

This new standard for Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRANs) takes advantage of the favorable transmission characteristics of the VHF and UHF TV bands to provide broadband wireless access over a large area up to 100 km from the transmitter. Each WRAN will deliver up to 22 Mbps per channel without interfering with reception of existing TV broadcast stations, using the so-called white spaces between the occupied TV channels.

IEEE, the world’s largest professional association advancing technology for humanity that is, noted that this technology will be “especially useful” in less densely populated areas, developing countries, and other locations where most vacant television channels can be found.

via SlashGear

There is only one problem with this – the chances that the wireless carriers would adopt the new standard is probably slim to none. Sure the greater speeds and coverage area would be fantastic from a marketing point of view but the fact that we would no longer really need to be forking over a pound of flesh every month for their data plans is sure to guarantee we won’t see this new standard being adopted.

New WiFi technology equals greater coverage, greater speeds, no data plans. Don’t expect to see it happen. is a post from: The Inquisitr

Burn.

Another clever wifi network is a post from: The Inquisitr

We’ve seen deliberately comical Wifi network names, but this one really sums up having to explain to your parents for the twelve billionth time how to get to Internet Explorer.

[via]

This is the most unintentionally hilarious Wifi network name ever is a post from: The Inquisitr

Brings neighbors together.

[reddit]

Borrowing wifi… is a post from: The Inquisitr

For better or worse, up until now, New York City subways were famously a bastion of no service.

Descending into the pee-soaked maze would render electronic devices incommunicado in the past, as attested to by the cluster of morons blocking the stairway down during rush hour while finishing up a phone call. Every New Yorker has been both cursed and saved by the lack of service at one time or another- either by missing an important call or email while stuck on the train, or using the excuse of servicelessness and frequent delays to cover your ass when oversleeping or ignoring a persistent beep. (“Sorry I’m late! I was underground!” will become far less tenable of an alibi soon.)

Mashable reports that after three years of bickering over the deets, you will soon be able to use the series of tubes while in a series of tubes. Meta!

According to Bloomberg, after three years of stalled progress, Transit Wireless LLC — a conglomerate of wireless and construction companies that was awarded a contract to undergo this project with New York Transit — has finally found the money to move forward. Broadcast Australia has footed the bill, which will bring NYC up to speed with Singapore, Berlin and Tokyo — all of which currently have Wi-Fi in the tubes.

You’ve got a few more years of hangover-related coverage, however- it’s going to take two years to outfit six stations near Union Square with the capability, and another four years before the other stations catch up. The cost? $200m. Being able to check in as “on the L” with Foursquare eventually? Priceless.

NYC Subways getting wi-fi access! is a post from: The Inquisitr

Parrot By Strack has some really cool Hi-Fi wireless speakers on display this week at CES. If you’re in the market for a great sounding system with a bit of fashion appeal (designed by Philippe Starck)d their definitely worth a closer look.

The wireless speakers feature a variety of colors including the yellow and grey options shown in the picture above, while white and black options are also available.

Users will also enjoy the ease of use offered by the top of speaker control system which features the speakers wifi and bluetooth connection buttons, volume up and down controls and a power button, all of which are placed flush with the device, allowing it to keep its smooth surface appearance.

The unit also features a remote control that allows users to control their tracks from the comfort of their couch. Here’s a quick glimpse of the simple controller which unfortunately doesn’t keep with the rest of the units unique design.

The system also offers a docking station for playing tracks instantly from your iPod/iPhone/iPod Touch,  while featuring RCA line-in input for analog audio sources, while streaming tracks from Mac/PC devices via bluetooth is also available.

If you’d prefer WiFi audio playback the unit also offers that ability to compatible devices which include the iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Nano and iPod Classic.

The unit also features Treble and mid-range sound from an NXT panel featureed on the top panel of the speakers.

Overall a very nice offering that’s worth a closer look.

Zikmu Parrot By Starck Shows Off Wireless Hi-Fi Speakers At CES 2010 is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Samsung M6560, also known as the “Lindy” debuted today and while it doesn’t offer the sleek appearance of an iPhone or various Android based phones, it does have a “sporty” appeal with enough of a consumer appeal that it should be fairly popular for the phone manufacturer.

The Lindy also features some nice attributes, including 3G with video calling, a 3MP camera that comes equipped with autofocus and WiFi alongside a decent price of $221 (available only in Portugal).

Given that there is a demographic of buyers who want more “sporty looking” devices than those offered by Google, Apple, RIM and other manufacturers, this device could actually be a small victory if Samsung offers it in the U.S. and especially if the price is driven down to the $99 or lower mark with carrier subsidizing.

Samsung M6560 “Lindy” Debuts With Sporty Look, Decent Features is a post from: The Inquisitr

No seriously, we totally can.

[FailBlog]

Wireless network name fail is a post from: The Inquisitr

Eye-Fi has just announced that their now offering Facebook support for their WiFi enabled memory cards for digital cameras. Using the program users can take pictures and then send them right to their Facebook accounts without need for a PC.

The new software also lets users tell their friends when they uploaded pictures to Facebook, while still providing already included access to 25 other already supported photo sharing websites.

There are currently various Eye-Fi SD cards available with entry level cards starting at 2GB capacity and a price of $49, with higher level cards up to 4GB fetching a higher $149 price tag.

Users should also realize that each card offers its own functionality, for example while all cards support Wifi and Wayport hotspot access, only Pro support offers Geo tagging and RAW images for DSLR users with SDHC capabilities.  [Electronista]

Eye-Fi Now Offering Direct To Facebook Uploads From Your Digital Camera is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Livio NPR Internet Radio first made me think of the old days of radio, where talk ruled and music was thrown in between moments of debate. It turns out the radio actually does play more than just National Public Radio, but talk fans will still love the devices NPR functionality.

The radio runs on WiFi or Ethernet connectivity and allows users to set their favorite NPR stations using the “My NPR” button, while browsing over 1,000 NPR station streams with the dedicated button. The player also includes over 800 podcasts and archived NPR programs. If you get sick of talk, simply browse through the nearly 16,000 validated Internet radio stations provided by Reciva®.

Users can even browse their NPR and music stations by genre, location or even keyword for quick access to the information you want to hear.

The unit is priced at $199.99, which given it’s niche abilities is well worth every penny.

Livio NPR Internet Radio, It’s Good For More Than Fireside Chats is a post from: The Inquisitr

Wayport runs the hotspots at McDonald’s restaurants across America, as well as at several hotels such as selected Wyndham, Marriott Vacation Club, and Four Seasons branches. It also provides Wi-Fi at HealthSouth and Sun Healthcare locations.

The move brings AT&T’s Wi-Fi locations to about 80,000 places around the country, the company says, including all U.S. Starbucks stores. Just last week, the company finally moved forward with opening those hotspots to iPhone users for free (after mistakenly announcing plans to do so twice before and then pulling back).

AT&T predicts the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices on the market to more than triple by the year 2012. Its new deal is worth $275 million and is expected to be finalized before the end of the year.

AT&T Adding 20,000 New Wi-Fi Hotspots is a post from: The Inquisitr

McDonald’s has long offered WiFi in Australia, but only on a paid basis, through casual payment, or billed directly to Telstra accounts. McDonalds starting offering free WiFi in its United States stores in 2003.

The implementation would seem to be more complicated then simply flicking a switch on the existing WiFi hotspots, with a staged rollout utilizing Telstra’s Next IP network expected to be completed by March 2009.

720 stores may not seem huge in a global context, but it’s a huge number in Australia where free WiFi has never really taken off like it has in other places. Combined with the recent McDonald’s makeover in Australia that included the introduction of “McCafe” outlets in standalone stores, including the ability to purchase cafe style food (their Focaccia and ham and cheese croissants are pretty good) and proper tea and coffee, I can see myself visiting McDonald’s more regularly in the future, because you can’t beat highspeed free Wifi, even with a 3G modem.

(via Trevor Cook)

McDonalds to offer free WiFi in Australia is a post from: The Inquisitr