hField Technologies has just launched the Wi-Fire, a compact high-performance USB WiFi Adapter for Macintosh. With an integrated high gain directional antenna and extremely strong receive sensitivity, the Wi-Fire promises to give Mac users the freedom to connect to WiFi networks when they want, where they want. Users benefit from the increased mobility and greater range with faster speeds as compared to Airport or Airport Express.
Wi-Fire provides interoperability with any 802.11 b/g access point and multiplies the effectiveness of wireless networks allowing users to connect to a WiFi network from up to 1,000 feet, more than three times the range of Airport cards and other 802.11 adapters, at significantly higher speeds, and even in locations where no wireless signal could be detected previously.
Wi-Fire measures 3″ by 4″ with a 3/8″ thickness and it folds up with its mounting device and USB cable for portability.
Retail price for Wi-Fire is US$79.
“Wi-FireTM is the perfect device – light weight and easy to use – for the seriously mobile Mac user as well as Mac users who have problems connecting to their regular wireless network because of distance, obstacles or other interference,” said Tom DiClemente, hField’s CEO, in the press release. “We’re dedicated to Mac users connecting better, faster and more economically.”
More info here.
So what is this, exactly? I read this as a powered antenna with serious gain which only extends the working distance from an existing wifi access point. This is not an access point, right?
good for you… I am not 1000feet away from my base station!
So what is this, exactly? I read this as a powered antenna with serious gain which only extends the working distance from an existing wifi access point. This is not an access point, right?
Correct. This is just an external version of the internal AirPort wireless adapter you have in your Mac, that happens to have a larger range. A downside is that it also looks to be 802.11b/g only, e.g., not 802.11n, like the new AirPort adapters and routers.
Wow… it looks sooo sleek. One almost wouldn’t notice such a ‘tiny’ device strapped to your monitor. A pringles can-tenna would look less awkward.
Why not just go and get some duct tape and strap on a feces to the upper right hand corner of your monitor. Who knows, maybe it too has magical receptors in it.
Come on … butt ugly is butt ugly. After spending all that money on your spiff looking Mac, who would buy this thing?
It belongs on a Dell PC running (sorry, crashing) Vista.
this is exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks, MDN
Wow. I am surprised at the negative reaction. You don’t have to strap it onto your computer, and for those of us who A) are bumming off of someone else’s wireless or B) have large/old houses that a signal can’t burn all the way through, this is a great thing. I happen to be in the B-large category, and this is exactly what I need to sit in my new favorite blue chair in the corner of the third floor where the skylights are and wile away the hours learning how to program.
I’m surprised they didn’t include a headband to allow Mac users to strap it to their head! A nice 4″ dish would look fashionable, no?
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I’m thinking Al Franken’s satellite dish helmet.
MW : “feed”
@j
Check Quickertek before you buy. I bought my Quicky antenna about six months ago and use it daily. Works great thru hospital walls, even lead lined where I had NO signal. More $, but unlike this albatross I get compliments, especially from non-techies. It classes up my TiBook, and I might still need it for my new Apple subnotebook
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Typical Mac user reaction-it works, but it’s ugly so crap all over it.
Form over function, everything that is wrong with todays society.
@nekogami13
“Form over function, everything that is wrong with todays society.”
No, nekogami, you’re a cool cat, but you got your operator wrong: we want Form and Function. That’s what makes everything right with today’s Mac society!
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I agree J, this is a good thing if it works as advertised. I already have two AEXP slaves to my AEBS in my house, so wouldn’t make use of it right now… but for my laptop…!
HI DR MAC I HAVE SEEN YOUR WONDERFUL PRODUCT THAT IS THE WI FIRE DEVICE PRODUCED BY YOU AND I WILL LIKE TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOUR COMPANY TO INTRODUCE THIS DEVICE TO THE WHOLE AFRICA STARTING WITH NIGERIA . WITH MY COMPANY THIS PRODUCT WILL SALE MILLIONS OF COPY IN AFRICA AT A LOW COST OF EXPENCESS TO YOUR COMPAY. HERE IS MY CELL PHONE NUMBER 08057979527 CALL ME ANY TIME SOONEST LET US DO BUSINESS . THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU.
hHI DR MAC I WILL BE GLAD TO HERE FROM YOU TODAY THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.