Belkin Wireless USB Hub

Belkin is set to release the world's first wireless USB hub. Laptop users will be able to place their USB devices anywhere in the room (or buillding?) without the need for running long USB cables. Belkin's CableFree USB will be on display at the 2006 International CES Show in Las Vegas, NV, January 5-8, at 31247 South Hall and at Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco, CA, January 10-13, at 717 South Hall.

Details are scarce, but I suspect that this hub comes in two parts, the wireless hub to which you connect your USB devices, and a USB wireless dongle that you plug into your computer (laptop, for instance), which provides the wireless bridge between the computer and the hub. But, that's just my speculation on how it'll work.

This is actually a great idea and I can think of quite a few people/clients who would benefit from this, not to mention it'd solve my own USB wiring nightmare.

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Belkin is set to release the world's first wireless USB hub. Laptop users will be able to place their USB devices anywhere in the room (or...

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Nik Fletcher

ESP is $129.99:
http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/01_03_06CableFreeUSB.html

Regards,

Nik

January 19 2006 at 6:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Eric E

Keyspan makes an ethernet version of something exactly like this

January 04 2006 at 12:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mdavey

It uses Freescale's UWB technology - that is a 480mbs link between computer and hub.

January 03 2006 at 5:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

NavStar

From what I see, this is Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), not Wireless USB. I would be berry surprised if the MWSF 2006 Macs don't have Wireless USB.

January 03 2006 at 4:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

tim

YESSSS!!!! but im worried about the speed. because even 11g is only 54mbps tops, and thats if you are right next to the base station and everything is perfect...

i imagine they will aim it toward things like mouses (if you dont have bluetooth already) and things that dont require speed. you couldNT hook up an ipod to it...imagine taking OVER FIVE WHOLE SECONDS TO LOAD A SONG!!! GOODNESS NO!!!

...i still want this...

January 03 2006 at 4:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

George Garriga

Kudos to Belkin!

Whoever gets rid of the cable mess behind my desk gets my full attention! (And surely my money)

This solution is great even for desk potatoes like me.

January 03 2006 at 3:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tyler Kerr

i want one so i dont have to plug in my printer and my flash drive

January 03 2006 at 3:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tomm

Dammit, I can't get used to calling it 2006.

January 03 2006 at 2:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jason

Finally!! I have been asking myself forever why a simple solution like this has not been created. I believe it's a common problem - especially for laptop users who like to "sync up" or work from home occasionally. Count me in...

January 03 2006 at 2:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tomm

Nah, not bluetooth. It's not fast enough. 802.11G would be great though, and it would save having any wires into my Powerbook, which would be awesome.

2005 to be the year of the wireless stuff? I already saw a wireless 802.11b camera, which is cool.

January 03 2006 at 2:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply