Future: Wireless USB?

[akm3]

So I heard that there is a new thing, wireless USB. Basically, it's like bluetooth, but it's USB.

It seems that if they could cram a wireless usb 'hub' in the air, then all you'd need is wireless usb devices and/or a wireless usb hub that you could plug usb devices into.

Any reason this couldn't work? Anyone know anything about this technology?

Where is Apple headed with Rev. 2 of the Air? It seems to be selling very well, and almost all criticism of it has to do with:
a) limited ports
b) Non-replaceable battery
c) Low capacity/Low performance hard drive (or very low capacity, high price SSD)

Obviously item C will become a non-issue in time as SSD gets bigger/faster/cheaper.

Item B is a conscious choice I don't think they will address.

Item A, the limited connectivity I think they could beef up with ideas like Wireless USB.

That said, it's selling well so Apple knows what they are doing!

 

[grandeabc]

I've sent mail to Belkin regarding their wireless usb hub. They sais it should work in any mac running 10.5. I've asked also if a 3G modem connected to this hub will work?... They said that it will NOT work in any machine; I'm looking also for this wireless hub, but I'm very confident that the MBA DVD drive will not work. ANy way, using a wireless hub should leave the only existet usb port at the MBA free, thus you will be able to plug the DVD drive.

 

[darwiniandude]

Their wireless usb hub required a wireless usb dongle to be plugged into the air via an antenna....

I saw this:
http://www.belkin.com/networkusbhub/

It accepts usb devices, and shares them over your network. You plug it into whatever wireless router you have. Should be able to plug this into the back of the Airport Extreme / Time Capsule........

But then it probably doesn't like all devices, it might be pc only, i'm not sure.

But remember you can use a hub with the Airport Extreme / Time Capsule. Since yesterdays Airport update and base station firmware update, my AEBS is working 100% stably, and i have three connected usb hard drives available on my macbook, one being used for time machine, and it works fast. It also shares our printer, although it's a multi function thing and i haven't tried anything except printing.

 

[twynne]

Their wireless usb hub required a wireless usb dongle to be plugged into the air via an antenna....

I saw this:
http://www.belkin.com/networkusbhub/

It accepts usb devices, and shares them over your network. You plug it into whatever wireless router you have. Should be able to plug this into the back of the Airport Extreme / Time Capsule........

But then it probably doesn't like all devices, it might be pc only, i'm not sure.

But remember you can use a hub with the Airport Extreme / Time Capsule. Since yesterdays Airport update and base station firmware update, my AEBS is working 100% stably, and i have three connected usb hard drives available on my macbook, one being used for time machine, and it works fast. It also shares our printer, although it's a multi function thing and i haven't tried anything except printing.

That's been available for a while, but they still haven't released the Mac drivers required for it to work. The website still doesn't even claim support for Mac. Shame...

 

[Phil A.]

Their wireless usb hub required a wireless usb dongle to be plugged into the air via an antenna....

I saw this:
http://www.belkin.com/networkusbhub/

It accepts usb devices, and shares them over your network. You plug it into whatever wireless router you have. Should be able to plug this into the back of the Airport Extreme / Time Capsule........

But then it probably doesn't like all devices, it might be pc only, i'm not sure.

But remember you can use a hub with the Airport Extreme / Time Capsule. Since yesterdays Airport update and base station firmware update, my AEBS is working 100% stably, and i have three connected usb hard drives available on my macbook, one being used for time machine, and it works fast. It also shares our printer, although it's a multi function thing and i haven't tried anything except printing.

This is completely different to Wireless USB (WUSB) - WUSB gives you USB speeds over a short to medium range personal network (similar to but faster than bluetooth). This device lets you connect to USB devices over your WiFi connection which will be much slower.

 

[brn2ski00]

Interference would become an issue with transfering huge amounts of data.