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Linksys Makes Wireless Play For Gamers
SycloneFX writes "According to an article on CNET News, Linksys have announced two new adapters that are designed to connect
game consoles, including PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. The article summarizes: 'The new adapters are available immediately, and are based on the 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking standards. The 802.11b-based adapter, called the Wireless-B Game Adapter, costs $79, while the 802.11g-based Wireless-G Game Adapter costs $129.'" Seems like simple, easy-to-set-up wireless for online/LAN console gaming is a great way to go.
Well, it's a full wireless bridge. It may seem expensive, but remember a few things. First if you have multiple consoles (a DC, a PS2, a XBox, and a GCN all with broadband adaptors) you could use the one adaptor along with a hub to give them ALL 'net access. Also, if your PC is on one side/floor of your house and your games are on another, it's usually cheaper and better looking to get something like this and a wireless lan card for the PC than to run ethernet through the walls or even worse taped to the outside of the walls. This isn't for everyone (especially if you have ethernet near your consoles) but for many it would be a great thing.
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. . . between this and a normal wireless bridge? Judging by the Linksys Prodcut Listing, you still have to buy an ethernet adaptor for the console. It *does* look cool, and perhaps it is easier to configure than the wireless bridges that are on the market now?
"The dinosaurs died because they didn't have a space program." - Niven
a) Most console gamers don't know WHAT a wireless bridge is.
b) Both models appear to be cheaper than Linksys' other bridges (though the prices may come down if these "gamer bridges" would work with a PC just as easily).
c) Apparently, the software is designed to be more user friendly and I'm sure the instructions will be written with gaming (and each console) in mind, rather than traditional LANs.
This looks like an excellent move toward making Linksys the home-friendly department of Cisco.
Putting 802.11b devices on the same network as 802.11g devices slows down the 802.11g devices. That is why there is a point to buying 802.11g even for devices which do not need the extra speed themselves.
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