Who's on my network? What is that code to allow someone on? All of this information, and more, is literally at your fingertips with Belkin's new N1 Vision Wireless Router.
Belkin's new router has demystified the interworkings of our home network. Previous iterations of the N1 router use images rather than flashing lights, and this new version is now interactive. With several screens of data to look through, you can see how fast your connection is, who's connected, bandwidth usage, and quick access to a guest network key. Sure, this information exists elsewhere on a typical router, but this new straightforward, simple interface looks great. It takes the information you want to access most often and puts it right at your fingertips.
It will launch later this month and will cost around $200.
This is pretty overpriced when a $50 router you can hide in a closet will do the same thing via a web browser.
Nice looking design though. If you like looking at routers... ;->
view boomer's profile
I like the design and the displays on the new Belkins. The software is another story. The tech support is even worse. I called asking about the claim that it supports IPSec VPN passthroughs after having bought the router. The techs were clueless, with one guy telling me to switch from WPA to WEP-64 because WEP 64 was "higher security". I asked to confirm that he didn't switch the two and he continued to claim that WEP-64 was the highest security protocol. 0.o
The solution to the VPN problem was to return the router and buy a Linksys.
view Ondrej's profile
I like the idea of being able to quickly get a network key for people visiting, without having to log in, find the right panel in the web interface, and read it out to them. Even if you have this thing hidden away, the screen could be useful.
view aghman's profile
What boomer said.
Honestly, I can't remember the last time I accessed any of that information. Our router hunkers under a credenza and routs. Maybe as a treat, we'll let it cuddle with the Roomba.
view wende in phoenix's profile