(Credit:
CNET)
Apple "announced" upgrades to both their Time Capsule and Airport Extreme Base Station in October. After much ado, attempting to get the new revisions and the old ones in-house to test, we've finally completed testing and have updated the reviews.
The thing about network testing is that because so many factors can potentially affect wireless network traffic, results can be quite unpredictable. This is especially true in an office environment like CNET's San Francisco office, where everyone and their mother seems to own an iPhone or BlackBerry.
While we attempt to minimize interference by analyzing the spectrum and choosing the best wireless band, we can't stop random devices using the band and cluttering the network. The mothers are usually the worst offenders.
So we test in an environment that, while not 100 percent clean, is 100 percent real-world. Check out the review updates for the Apple Time Capsule and Apple Airport Extreme Base Station, to see how these two fared in a real environment.
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CNET)
Last month we blogged about a bug marring Flash playback on the latest 27-inch Apple iMacs. Users on several Web sites, including the Apple Discussion Threads, noticed a problem with the Flash player that caused choppy audio and video playback, but it appears that the newest Mac OS X v10.6.2 update fixes the issue that was apparently caused by a conflict with the Airport driver.
According to Apple, the update "addresses video playback and performance issues for iMac (21.5-inch, late 2009) and iMac (27-inch, late 2009) computers that may occur in some situations while AirPort is turned on." Since our own 27-inch iMac also experienced slow Flash streaming and intermittent sound hiccups with the AirPort turned on, we downloaded the 10.6.2 update and left it to sleep overnight.
Prior to the update, the Flash Player consumed 114.4 percent of system resources, but 24 hours after the update we're happy to report 26.8 percent usage in the activity monitor and smooth performance across all popular streaming video Web sites like YouTube, Hulu, etc.
Much thanks to the Apple Forums and Apple itself for quickly addressing the needs of its community. If you haven't updated yet, simply choose Software Update from the Apple menu to install OS X v10.6.2.
"I'll give you two guesses as to this product's identity. Is it the Base Station or Time Capsule? Only the astute among you will know for sure.
(Credit: Apple)Along with the major Apple announcements that took place Tuesday, Apple also--quite stealthily, I might add--announced upgraded performance, specs, and support for both its Time Capsule and Airport Extreme Base Station.
Time Capsule received the most updates, with Apple claiming that with the new technologies and refinements added to both Time Capsule and the Time Machine software, backing up using Snow Leopard is up to "60 percent faster than before."
That number is based on internal testing done by Apple comparing a new preproduction (unreleased) Time Capsule with the version released earlier this year.
Apple also claims that by using the latest 802.11n wireless technology, you'll see "up to five times the Wi-Fi performance and up to twice the range of 802.11g wireless networks."
This, also based on Apple testing comparing both Time Capsule and the Airport Extreme Base Station to "Apple's 802.11g products." The company doesn't specify which products it compares them to, however.
Finally, Apple claims that improvements to both Time Capsule's and the Airport Extreme Base Station's antenna design can give "up to 50 percent better performance and up to 25 percent better range than with the previous-generation Time Capsule and Airport Extreme base Station."
This performance is based on Apple testing comparing the Time Capsule and Airport based Station to "Apple's 802.11n products." Again, although we can safely assume they're basing the comparison on apples to apples test results on the previous versions of the versions of the same hardware, we can't be certain.
We'll of course be conducting our own testing as soon as we get these updated versions of the products in for review. It'll be interesting to see how close our performance numbers match up with theirs.
According to Apple's site, both new versions of the hardware are shipping now.
Want brilliant sound quality from your AirPort Express? So did we. And for that, we needed to connect it to a dedicated audio processor via fiber-optic cable.
Apple's AirPort Express does much more for audio lovers than you might think. You're probably aware that it lets you stream your iTunes library, from your Mac or PC, over Wi-Fi, through the APE to your hi-fi. But you may not know that it has a digital fiber-optic output, meaning it can stream lossless audio, with bit-for-bit accuracy, to a dedicated sound processor (a DAC), and into a hi-fi sound system.
Um, why should I be interested exactly?
Because when you send audio via AirPort Express, it's processed by its on-board sound chip. It's fine for most people, but it's basic. If you've invested in a decent hi-fi you're going to want to let a DAC process your audio properly, which means taking sound away from the AirPort Express via optical digital cable. By doing this, the APE simply passes the digital signal on, instead of converting it to audible sound and passing it over a standard audio cable.
Sounds awesome. By the way, what the hell is a DAC?
Ah, yes, we're assuming here you know what a DAC is. For those of you who don't know, it's usually a dedicated box, and it has just one job: turn a digital signal of ones and zeroes into sound. This requires specialist circuitry and audio chips, so it's something usually confined to the audiophile world. But if you've got a decent home audio system, it's something to seriously consider investing in.
This is a DAC. The iBasso D10, to be precise.
... Read more
If you haven't figured this out already, I'm a serious airline geek. Yes, I'm the kind of person who keeps track of all his flights and I can identify planes as they taxi by at the airport. Want to know which airlines flies nonstop between San Francisco and Sydney? Well, I can tell you (United and Qantas). Some would call it an obsession, but I think that it's just an interest.
Airport Status
If you're like me, you'll be delighted to know that the iPhone App store has quite a few options to indulge your passion. Without ever leaving your iPhone, you can check for delays, find the best seat on your flight, learn facts about your aircraft, and find your departure gate at the airport.
The following is a list of apps that I've used on CNET's iPhone. When I'm not using them just for fun--like I said, it's an interest--they have come in handy quite a few times. The titles that I've highlighted below aren't the only such apps available, but they are the ones that I've used. If you have other picks, be sure to tell me about them below.
Airport Status
99 cents
This app won't show delays for specific flights, but it will show general delays affecting U.S. airports. This is especially useful when your home airport is San Francisco International--due to low clouds it often suffers from "ground stops" where flights are held at their departure airport until the weather improves. Newark Liberty is another airport that's constantly on here. New Yorkers and Jerseyites, take note. ... Read more
The new Base Station still has only three Ethernet ports. Most routers have four.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)I finally got a chance to review Apple's first true dual-band Wireless-N router, the new Airport Extreme Base Station.
The new router, like the previous model, makes a great home router for novice and especially Mac users. It incorporates MobileMe for remote access and administration, offers fast wireless speeds, and has a very good range.
Savvy and Windows users, however, will find a lot of networking features missing, including the very popular Wi-Fi Protected Setup, the capability to filter Web sites, and access to manage the router's setting via a Web browser.
The Airport Extreme Base Station's great and eye-catching design will make a lot of you fall in love with it. However, if truth be told, it's not a router for everyone.
To find out more, read the in-depth review at CNET Reviews.
Updated at 10:05 a.m. on Wednesday: Apple confirmed that the new devices are true dual-band, meaning both bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and both networks (primary and Guest) offer 802.11n.
Without much ado, Apple has just rather silently upgraded its networking products, including the Time Capsule and the Airport Extreme, with two significant features: dual-band wireless-N and guest networking.
The new Airport Extreme Base Station
(Credit: Apple)At its Web site, Apple states that its new simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi allows for maximum range and compatibility, as the AirPort Extreme Base Station and Time Capsule work simultaneously on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
However, it's unclear whether or not both bands offer Wireless-N (true dual-band) or only one band offers Wireless-N while the other offers Wireless-G (802.11g, hybrid dual-band).
True dual-band networking has been available for a long time and can be found in many routers such as the D-Link DIR-825 or the Linksys WRT610N. Hybrid dual-band can be found in the Netgear 3300.
Guest networking (or Guest Zone) has also been found in many routers from other vendors, most Wireless-N routers from D-Link have this feature. Basically it allows you to set up a separate wireless network that's isolated from your main local network. This is a great feature if you want to allows guests to access the Internet without being able to access your local network resources, such as your computer, printers, or the router's settings.
Other than that, both the new Airport Extreme and the Time Capsules have about the same features and design as their predecessors. The new Time Capsule also comes in 500GB and 1TB versions. This is slightly disappointing since you now can easily find hard drives that offer capacities up to 2TB for reasonable prices.
These new products are now available at Apple's Store with prices that won't reflect the current state of the economy.
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iFlyz)
The iFlyz will most likely get you flagged going through airport security, but once you're on the plane, it could help you sit back and distract yourself from the overly loquacious dude sitting next to you enjoy the flight.
The "in-flight personal media solution" secures mobile electronics for travelers who want to watch a movie, surf through music, or read online without having to hold a gadget in their hands or create a makeshift balancing apparatus out of a pillow or another passenger's head.
To use the iFlyz, you attach your phone or media player to the suction cup, clamp it to a seat tray in either the stowed and locked position or unlocked and down position, and adjust the flexible gooseneck to the ideal viewing angle. It works with gadgets including the iPhone, Zune, and iPod.
The iFlyz is 5.5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide, and weighs 2 ounces. Be sure to have an explanation for it just in case airport security wants to know why you're toting a desk lamp (or something more dastardly) aboard. The product sells for $29.99 and is available online.
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Samsung Mobile)
If you're planning to do a lot of flying next week for Thanksgiving, you may be in luck. Well, depending on where you're actually traveling that is. Last August Samsung Mobile announced the availability of 50 free charging stations at Newark Liberty International Airport. On Thursday, the company announced that they will be adding 115 new stations to that number.
Samsung Mobile says that it is opening new free stations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Miami International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
With the new additions Samsung claims that is has installed charging stations in 10 of the nation's busiest airports in the U.S.
The more stations, the better, especially if they're in more general areas where I can sit back and watch from the comfort of my own seat and not have to stand there guarding it the whole time.
Samsung Mobile on Monday announced that it had installed 50 free charging stations at Newark Liberty International Airport in Terminals A, B, and C.
The shelf is a bit narrow, IMO.
(Credit: Samsung)Each charging station includes four outlets that allow several normal travelers or a huge geek of one to recharge their electronic devices simultaneously. The stations are built to charge devices designed for U.S. voltage--120 volts--and come with a small shelf to hold the gear. Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) of New Jersey is providing electricity for all 50 charging stations at the airport.
Samsung Mobile has already recently installed free charging stations in several U.S. airports including 54 at JFK, 51 at LAX, 12 in LaGuardia, 18 in Orlando, and 22 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Sounds great, but I doubt I'd ever use this. I mean, do they really think I'm gonna leave my phone or laptop alone at some charging station at the airport? Don't airports try to curb leaving your stuff unattended anyway? Sure you could just stand there, waiting for whatever you're charging to finish, but if you do remember to keep your knees bent so when you pass out you don't do that much damage.
Also, from the looks of it, the shelf could use more space. How do they expect me to charge my 17-inch laptop on that thing? I guess I'll be copping a squat under the station if I want to be able to watch movies on long flights.
