It looks like the Samsung design kids took a breather here, since this new "WiFiFONE" EW-700 from the Korean giant and VoIP manufacturer Eidicom isn't quite as sharp or skinny as we've learned to expect from Sammy. Still, the EW-700 packs quite a punch, especially for a smartphone that appears to be all WiFi when it comes to radios. The EW-700 is built for VoIP, but includes a whole lot of frills like a web browser, messenger client, multimedia player, 2 megapixel camera, video and audio recording and even Outlook data sync. It all looks to be based on a custom OS, and under the hood is a "PostPC" mobile multimedia processor which Samsung and Eidicom joint-developed. We're a bit slim on deets, but we're not arguing at all with the big-screen, feature rich tact that these guys are taking -- though we suppose a bit of 3G data still wouldn't hurt.

It's been a little while since we've heard from D-Link's WiFi department, but boy have they been busy. The D just released four new wireless products, including two Draft-N wireless cards: one for your desktop (DWA-552), and one for your laptop (DWA-652), a'course. But if you're gunning for something that is a little cooler, you could get your 802.11n on with the DIR-655 WiFi Draft-N gigabit Ethernet router (pictured). D-Link also touts its "Intelligent QoS Technology" so that your network traffic can be prioritized -- so there's less of a chance that your Skype call to your loved one across the world will drop while you've got multiple downloads going. If those three weren't enough, D-Link has also entered the "WiMAX consumer premise equipment" market, with its WiMAX router that combines the new wide-area wireless standard and traditional WiFi in the same box. And if you really want to know the nitty-gritty, this one supports WMAN and PHY protocols, as well as adaptive modulation. Still, in all of its excitement, The D neglected to tell us when nor how much we'll need to fork over to get our grubby hands all over any of these shiny wireless devices.

Update: A few astute commenters have pointed out that we read this one a little too fast. The press release states: "D-Link's new Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) and optional adapters are available now at select retail outlets and will be available from D-Link's extensive network of value-added resellers, distributors and retail outlets and at www.dlinkshop.com this quarter. The manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) are $199.99 for the router, and $119.99 each for the Xtreme N Notebook Adapter (DWA-652) and Xtreme N Desktop Adapter (DWA-552)."

[Via TGDaily]

Read - Press release
Read - DIR-655
Read - DIR-552
Read - DIR-652
Read - WiMAX router

If you're growing tired of one delay after another (and another), and just can't wait to get in on that uber-quick 802.11n goodness, NEC has unveiled a few pieces of draft-spec kit that should hold you over until the IEEE finally agrees on a winner. Its Aterm WR8200N router is based on the latest (albeit not yet finalized) next-gen wireless protocol, and claims to not interfere with 802.11b/g networks while offering theoretical speeds of "up to 130Mbps." Aside from sporting backwards compatibility with the slower WiFi standards, a trio of antennas are available for "maximum range," while four Ethernet ports are onboard for those who prefer to stay wired. The company is also offering up an 802.11n-compatible PCMCIA card (WL130NC) for those folks not lucky enough to discover an undercover edition already integrated in their machine. While NEC seems to be playing the ever-elusive "open price" card, both of these units should be available in early November.

[Via Akihabara News]

In what appears to be a potentially disruptive move, French ISP Free has just opened up its network of 300,000 subscribers' WiFi networks across France to its subscribers. What does that mean? If you're a Free subscriber living in Paris, and you and you come across a Free WiFi network while in Lyon for the day on business, you can log in and use up to 64kbps of bandwidth no problem. All new Freebox HD subscribers will have this feature turned on by default, so we assume that also means you can turn it off if you're concerned about privacy. Now for those of you who might not be familiar with Free, it isn't just your garden-variety ISP, no sir. For €30 per month ($38), Free will give you a pair of boxes (known collectively as the Freebox) that comes with a DSL modem at 24Mbps, includes a digital TV receiver, 4-port switch / WiFi router with MIMO, built-in VoIP with free calls to 28 countries, and can stream TV to your computer and DVDs from your computer to your TV. Also, Free recently introduced two new handsets (pictured): its white model (WiFi-only) goes for €60 ($75), while the black model is WiFi and GSM and goes for €200 ($250). So to recap, let's say you want to roam around l'Hexagone with your laptop or your WiFi handset, and you're a Free subscriber, then you've now got one of (potentially) 300,000 locations around the country to choose from. Some industry watchers like Yannick Laclau are convinced that if companies like France Telecom or Telefonica (Spain's incumbent telco) or Verizon were to make a move à la Free, it would mean better and less expensive service for everyone, and also might wipe out FON in the process.

Read - GigaOm
Read - Yannick Laclau
Read - Net Economie

We'd really love to have affordable, ubiquitous internet access while airborne. Sadly, with the announcement two months ago of the unplugging of Connexion by Boeing by the end of the year, that day seems farther and farther away. Sure, ASiQ's (or Panasonic's) service may be coming up in the future, but we'd like to see something a little more immediate and a little less expensive. Luckily for us, Boeing will be making the last two and a half months of its service available for free -- so we'd like to tip our hats to our Seattle and Chicago-based friends for having such a classy exit strategy.

[Via MobileRead]

Last time we saw Japanese PC manufacturer DosPara it was hawking its new small-footprint, Core 2 Duo-powered Super Mini 2 HTPC, and now the company has gone and crammed a Merom CPU into yet another tight space, the 13-inch Prime Note Chronos NW2. In its base configuration, this 4.2-pound notebook sports a 1.66GHz T5500 processor, 1,280 x 800 resolution, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, multi-format DVD burner, three-flavor WiFi, and a 4-in-1 card reader. If you're willing to pay more than the ¥129,950 ($1,086) that this setup will run, another 20,000 yen ($167) will get you a 2.0GHz T7200 chip and a full 1GB of RAM. Both versions of the NW2 should be available immediately, but as usual with these machines, it's unlikely you'll find one at your local big box retailer anytime soon.

[Via Akihabara News]

Remember how Singapore was going to provide WiFi for most of the island nation? Well, it looks like they're taking that one step further by taking the S$100 million ($63 million) cost to the government, eating it, and giving free access (for the next two to three years) to the laptop-toting public. Further, the government will provide subsidies on computer purchases for low-income families -- according to The Straits Times, families that earn less than S$200 ($125) a month can purchase a computer for S$285 ($179). Why can't we get such forward-thinking policies over on this side of the Pacific?

[Via MuniWireless]

Sure, your standard old WiFi router might serve up the internets with little hesitation, and should work just fine with the 802.11b/g Squeezebox, but if you want to crank your multimedia streaming chops up a notch, Slim Devices has teamed up with Ruckus Wireless to build a new MediaFlex multimedia router that does your generic box one better. The router includes fancy tech that purportedly will deliver "longer range and unprecedented Wi-Fi stability by directing signals over the best path through the air at any given time." We can't be certain of how these magiks are performed, but we've got a photo of their special antenna, which can be viewed after the break. The 2825 MediaFlex router is also designed to prioritize audio streaming over other traffic, so you should get a steady stream, no matter what interference or BitTorrent action may come. If you've got the smarts, and Squeezebox isn't your game, it's also possible to set video streams as a top priority, or even data if you're a torrent fiend. All of this is to ensure you can keep your media streams hic-up free, which can sometimes be rather difficult with normal WiFi routers, though it's your call as to whether to problem warrants a specialized $159 router. The MediaFlex is available now by its lonesome or as a bundle with a Squeezebox .

We're not sure who's still snatching up these old-fashioned "personal digital assistants" (or PDAs -- for you kids out there, they're like smartphones without the phone; weird, right?), but apparently some people are still interested in do-it-all devices that don't really do it all, so Spanish manufacturer Airis has broken off two new GPS-equipped models on the cheap. As far as cellular-free handhelds go, the Windows Mobile 5-powered T610 and T620 are pretty feature-packed, each sporting a 400MHz Samsung CPU, 3.5-inch QVGA display, 64MB RAM / 128MB ROM, Bluetooth 2.0, SiRFStar III satellite receiver, and a regular SD slot to hold your maps and various multimedia swag. On top of all that, the T620 also throws down an 802.11b/g radio, making it even more attractive than some of the pricier Garmin iQue models that we've seen. Best of all, either unit can be picked up for a song, with the T610 priced at €220 ($278) and its big brother going for a very reasonable €289 ($365). Still, without the ability to pull in live traffic updates like a PocketPC phone loaded up with TomTom, we'd probably take a pass here (man, are we spoiled).

[Via Digital-Lifestyles]

Monster Cable, the company best known for its, um, cabling, has announced more information about its network media and home automation devices recently displayed at CEDIA. Everything in the Monster Einstein system is controlled by the Nucleus head-end, which runs the home automation and control elements, using Z-Wave and Bluetooth to control sensors and devices throughout the home, as well as interfacing with the media devices on the network. It has gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n network capabilities as well as a VOIP interface, and should retail for around $4000. The $2500 Electron components are the client end points and connect to the televisions and receivers on the network. You'll want at least one Photon 200-disc DVD changer in the system, because even though they're $2400 they have dual transports, meaning two different discs can be played simultaneously over the network. Also plan on attaching one or more of the $4900 Neutron RAID5-capable storage boxes -- each comes with 960 gigs of storage standard but can scale up to 7.2 terabytes. Other devices in the chain include the $1500 Astro Sirius satellite radio tuner with three zones, and the $1300 Tron seven-inch touch panel. Keep reading for more specifics, as well as another shot of the "monster" Photon changer...

It looks like those jonesing for some WiFi action on their digital camera (without, you know, actually buying a new one) won't have to wait much longer, as the much-buzzed-about Eye-Fi SD WiFi card is set to go into beta testing later this month. The card doesn't require specialized drivers and will supposedly work with any camera that's been "qualified by Eye-Fi," letting you wirelessly transfer photos directly from your camera to your PC or to select websites. Exactly which cameras have "qualified" we're not sure, with the company only saying that they've tested "numerous camera brands and models" and that they're aiming for "broad camera interoperability." The card will also come with a Compact Flash (Type-II) adapter so you can use it with your precious D-SLRs. As of this writing, there's still no mention of the beta program on Eye-Fi's website, but the company says additional details and a sign-up procedure will be available in the coming days. It will also cost you, of course, though Eye-Fi's promising a full money-back guarantee. Let's just hope the beta testing doesn't take too long, cause we're guessing the available slots are gonna fill up pretty quickly.

[Thanks, Caleb]

Despite the disappointing speed and range improvements we've seen from draft-n products so far, there's no denying 802.11n is the future of WiFi, and that means consumers looking for a speed boost who join the draft-n bandwagon do so at their own peril, risking hundreds of dollars on a wireless router that could very well prove incompatible and obsolete in a year or so. Well, router manufacturers have to sell something while they wait for the WiFi Alliance to get off its butt and approve a draft of the 802.11n spec, and ASUS is taking the draft-n game to a new level by guaranteeing future compatibility with the final 802.11n spec "whether in the form of firmware or hardware updates." ASUS is covering their WL-500W and WL-100W routers, both powered by "Intensi-fi" tech and claiming speeds higher than 100Mbps. The upgrade program covers all units purchased before the end of '06, and will last for 3 months after the ratification of the final spec -- which should happen sometime this century.

Think wearing RFID-embedded clothing is pushing the limits of intrusion? If Hitachi has its way, your employer will soon be swapping out that company badge for a significantly more tricked-out version, complete with WiFi and RFID modules. Moving forward from the not-so-harmless RFID mirror, Hitachi is unveiling its AirLocation Tag-w at this week's CEATEC expo, which boasts a frightening ability to track and locate employees anywhere within the workplace. Aiming for "thorough and precise management of people," the device can pinpoint one's exact location, and also monitors any attempts to "enter and leave buildings." In an apparent attempt to color this voyeuristic tag in a positive hue, it also features an "emergency message function" which will broadcast a distress signal from the employee to a central help desk in case an uncontrollable robot army decides to invade your mundane corporate office. Although your manager may be salivating over the sudden ability to know the whereabouts of every mischievous subordinate on site, he / she may think twice once that ¥21,000 ($178) per unit expense hits the cost sheets.

[Via MobileMag]

Aight photophiles, we've got a winner for last week's S7c! BooLeiU, come on down! Thanks to everyone for entering -- you still have chances to win a ton of gadgets, including another Nikon Coolpix S7c WiFi-enabled digital camera. We saw this 0.75-inch thick shooter announced at Photokina as one of their new flagship feature-point and shoots. What you might win today features:

• 3x optical zoom
• 7.1 megapixel sensor
• 3-inch LCD
• 802.11b/g WiFi with T-Mobile Hotspot support
• 1600 ISO and image stabilization
• 30fps VGA movie mode
• 14MB internal memory

To win this fine piece of photographic equipment, leave a comment below with your favorite subject or location to shoot. Entries must be made by this Sunday the 7th to be eligible for our random selection. As always, please mind the rules!

• You may enter other Engadget contests, however...
• You may only enter this contest once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests though!
  
• You can only win once. (If you win and then try to go for a second prize during our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.)
• This contest is open to the US only, sorry!
• You will be shipped your S7c in a few weeks when all our contests are over. Thanks for your patience!

Good luck, and be sure you've entered our other contests, as well!

• A Philips 42PF9631D 42-inch plasma!
• Hows about an Xbox 360 Premium pack?
• Another shot at a Zune!
• We've got the new Slingbox Tuner!

So throughout this whole Zune launch thing the whole lot of us have been playing cat and mouse with Microsoft on the finer points. Will it or won't it be built on PlaysForSure or some variant? How will it recognize copyrighted vs. creative commons content without opening up piracy loopholes? And perhaps most importantly: how will the wireless work? Well, it turns out that a Zune employee by the name of David Caulton thought it'd be worth putting together a cogent explanation of what the Zune wireless connection can and can't do.

You can:

• Can search for and find other Zunes nearby.
• Can send songs / albums for the 3 x 3 trial. Songs past the three days / listens are deleted at next sync, but catalogued on your PC for record-keeping should you want to purchase them later. No word on whether Microsoft is going to keep track of which files are traded.
• You can send and receive image files for "unlimited viewing." (Oh, so copyrighted images aren't worth DRMing?)

You can't:

• Connect to the internet.
• Download songs directly from the Zune store via WiFi.
• Sync to your computer via WiFi.

Sorry Microsoft, we think you have it backward. The killer app of having wireless in a portable media device isn't sharing DRMed files -- it's downloading music from a near infinitely large library no matter where you're at. That's why the MusicGremlin was and is so freaking cool. All the music, none of the bother with PCs. So to find out the Zune won't even match that device in terms of use for wireless is a little disappointing, to say the least. Granted this above is with regard to the feature list for launch (and Microsoft doesn't claim the Zune is feature-complete), so we can probably assume that we'll be expected to hold out for later Zune firmware releases where actually useful wireless capabilities will be added.