Telecom Lead America: Cisco Linksys has launched new 802.11ac powered Smart Wi-Fi Routers, a new compact 802.11ac USB adapter.
The new products are part of the expansion of its Linksys Smart Wi-Fi portfolio.
Linksys on Tuesday said it plans to begin rolling out its new software features and Smart Wi-Fi mobile apps in spring 2013. The new 802.11ac powered Smart Wi-Fi Routers are expected to be available later in the year.
Cisco said Smart Wi-Fi Routers enable consumers to enjoy fast Wi-Fi speeds with exceptional in-house Wi-Fi coverage. Consumers will also notice simplified installation that can be completed in a matter of minutes.
Moreover, routers offer new tools for home network monitoring and control, and new mobile apps for anytime, anywhere remote access of files, photos, videos, music and more.
Brett Wingo, vice president and general manager, Cisco Linksys Home Networking, said: “As router becomes the hub of the smart home, these products allow for simple control of kids’ screen time, delivery of top-quality video, and easy ways to centrally store and serve up music and video, all controlled from your smartphone or tablet wherever you are.”
Linksys’ latest additions to its Smart Wi-Fi Router portfolio include the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router AC1200, AC1600 and AC1750. All three of the new dual-band Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers are equipped with the latest 802.11ac technology, offering fast wireless speeds—up to three times the speed of Wireless-N, excellent range and backward compatibility with existing wireless 802.11b/g/n devices.1
The AC1750 is designed for today’s power users with 10 or more connected devices and streaming HD in the home. The dual-band AC1750 delivers Wi-Fi speeds up to 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and up to 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. This router offers broad compatibility with the latest devices including smartphones, tablets, e-readers, laptops, game consoles, Smart TVs, Blu-ray players and wireless cameras, among other devices.
The dual-band AC1600 is an ideal option for homes with five to seven connected devices. This router has Wi-Fi speeds up to 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.
All three of the new Linksys routers are also equipped with Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0 ports. The USB ports allow for storage devices such as USB flash drives or hard drives, to be connected to the router.
With Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0 ports, the routers can rapidly transfer files between the connected storage and other devices – ideal for using the router’s USB storage capabilities to back up media from consumers’ smartphones, tablets or notebooks.
Linksys is adding beamforming technology to all new 802.11ac routers to deliver better network range and faster Wi-Fi speeds in the home. Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers with beamforming technology are designed to precisely adjust, steer and monitor the direction and shape of the Wi-Fi signals in order to send data back and forth over the optimal path.
