Stereos plug into Wi-Fi
Published: 07 Jan 2004 10:25 GMT
NetGear unveiled a Wi-Fi device on Tuesday that is designed to retrofit stereos so they can connect to wireless networks.
The company plans to demonstrate its NetGear MP101 Wireless Digital Music Player at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas later this week. It will also show off a wireless router with storage-sharing features.
NetGear chief executive Patrick Lo has said in past interviews with CNET News.com that he sees a significant opportunity for manufacturers in adapting older devices -- such as televisions, music stereos and handheld devices -- so they can work with wireless networks. The digital-music player is the first product to result from this push.
The MP101 network adapter allows a stereo to play music stored on PCs or other devices connected to the wireless network. It will be available in stores in February at a price of around $200 (£110), according to NetGear. It comes with a remote control and connects to 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks. It plugs into a stereo through audio inputs and plays MP3 and Windows Media files.
Using the device, people will be able to navigate music libraries and view song, artist and album information using a remote control that communicates with the box, which features a liquid crystal display. The device plays Internet radio streams and comes with a 30-day trial of RealNetworks' Rhapsody music service.
NetGear worked with Digital 5 on the software in the MP101 that allows stereos to access files stored on a PC.
On Tuesday, NetGear also announced the WGT634U Super Wireless Media Router. The router connects to an external hard drive over a USB 2.0 connection and allows client devices on the router's Wi-Fi network to access the data on that hard drive.
The router uses Atheros' 108 megabit per second Super G technology, which promises fast transfer speeds as well as a network range that exceeds 200 feet, according to a NetGear representative. The router will be available in the first quarter of 2004 and will cost around $200, the company said.
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