When it comes to Wi-Fi, you can never have too much range. Enter the US$99 WiFi Range Extender from Netgear (www.netgear.com).
Actually, the full name is the Netgear Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender, Wall-plug Edition (WN3500RP). Despite the awkward name it amplifies any existing WiFi network, providing an improved wireless experience throughout a home or office for WiFi connected devices such as tablets, laptops, smart TVs, smartphones and more.
Netgear says its the first WiFi range extender that can also be directly connected to speakers for music streaming using Apple’s AirPlay, while simultaneously amplifying an existing network connection. The Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender provides simultaneous extension of both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi bands.
This increases range and improves wireless coverage while minimizing interference on the less-crowded 5GHz WiFi band. What’s more, the WiFi extender supports 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi standards, ensuring compatibility with almost any wireless router and gateway — even those provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
The Netgear Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender supports a feature called FastLane technology. This lets you take advantage of both WiFi bands to establish a single connection, providing additional performance for bandwidth-intensive applications such as audio/video streaming and gaming.
The WiFi Range Extender also features an Ethernet port, providing a high-speed Internet connection for distant, wired-only entertainment devices. And don’t worry, it’s easy to set up. The Extender doesn’t require an installation CD or Ethernet cable.
You can use the WiFi Range Extender to wirelessly stream audio to a stereo system or audio speaker using the 3.5 mm audio jack or USB 2.0 port on the extender. The WiFi Range Extender supports Airplay from devices such as the iPhone and iPad, or DLNA for wireless audio streaming from Android smartphones. Additionally, the extender offers the ability to print wirelessly from any device connected to the wireless network in the home by simply plugging any printer into the USB port on the WiFi Range Extender.
