Roku is reportedly testing a Wi-Fi extender to improve its streaming reliability

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Roku hasn’t really released products outside of its core offering of streaming media players. But it seems the company might release something to expand its hardware offerings—and improve its streaming capabilities. The company is reportedly testing a Wi-Fi extender called the Roku Relay. It’s designed to improve wireless connections inside a home as well as reliability while streaming. This product hasn’t been announced yet, but The Verge reports it’s being tested by users outside the company. It’s a small white gadget that plugs into a power outlet and rests alongside the wall. It’s supposed to be used with Roku devices to improve their Wi-Fi connection. It isn’t known if it can be used with other devices, too.

The Relay is being marketed as an extension of Roku players. According to the manual, it’s directing people to install the Relay halfway between the router and the TV. The launch doesn’t seem to be imminent, though. It has yet to pass the US’s Federal Communications Commission’s clearance process, which it would need before it can start selling the product.

Huawei temporarily loses its membership in the Wi-Fi Alliance

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After the Trump administration added Huawei into its Entity List, the company has slowly been losing access to its US-based partners. The company’s inclusion in the list prevents the Chinese company from doing business with organizations based in the US. It’s already lost access to its partnerships with the likes of Google and its Android platform, Qualcomm, Intel, Microsoft, and recently, ARM. This time, the company has lost its membership in the Wi-Fi Alliance, which could impact Huawei’s future business. According to a statement from the Alliance, “Wi-Fi Alliance is fully complying with the recent U.S. Department Commerce order without revoking Huawei Technologies’ membership. Wi-Fi Alliance has temporarily restricted Huawei Technologies participation in Wi-Fi Alliance activities covered by the order.”

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a consortium of companies that influence the development of new wireless technologies. While Huawei will still be able to develop Wi-Fi products, for now, they won’t have a say on where wireless technology is heading. And if this continues on for an extended period of time, it could mean Huawei could be less competitive in this respect. It could create its own consortium or join those that don’t have connections with the one in the US, but the company might find it difficult to compete on a global scale.

Source: Android Authority

Review: Linksys VELOP Whole Home Mesh Network

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Whole-home MESH networks, which provide a more robust and interconnected transmission of Wi-Fi signal across a larger space, are the biggest leap forward in Wi-Fi router technology we've seen in a long time. The Linksys VELOP whole home MESH network makes set-up and expansion easy while ensuring various devices get consistent network quality.

Unlike traditional Wi-Fi routers, which generate a signal that degrades the farther you are away from the hotspot, MESH networks allow multiple base stations to amplify the signal across a wider range of distance. With traditional routers, a multi-story house or apartment will have various dead-spots or areas where signal is inconsistent or drops. 

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Google teams up with London Zoo to test Wi-Fi tech, give you a look at cute animals

Google has partnered with the London Zoo to not just give you a live stream of meerkats, giant Galapagos tortoises, and Asian otters on YouTube but to test out Wi-Fi technology. Their aim is to test the use of white space (or the small gaps in radio spectrum that exist between television transmissions) for tracking endagered animals in the wild and protect them from poachers.

The London Zoo won a Google Global Impact Award grant last year worth US$800,000 to build a network of sensors and cameras to be placed in popular poaching areas in Kenya. Using white space, they hope it will be able to send data quicker and farther than what can be done with satellites. The technology can also be used to provide Internet access to rural areas, develop next-generation Wi-Fi technologies, and stream video wirelessly.

Source: Ofcom | Via: Fast Company