Joystiq

Xbox 360 Wireless N adapter live in the UK, US release still a mystery

Christopher Grant — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Alas, the troubled tale of the Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter has reached a conclusion, albeit not the exact conclusion many (including Microsoft, no doubt) would have hoped. Nearly two months after first being caught in the public spotlight (thanks, FCC!) - and then casually confirmed, sans press release, price, or release date - the Xbox 360's second attempt at a this-should-really-be-built-in wireless networking adapter has found its way to some store shelves, apparently.

An Engadget reader snapped the above pic at UK-supermarket Asda where the adapter is evidently selling for £49, which converts to a (relatively speaking!) very reasonable $82. Of course, it's nowhere to be found on any major US retail sites and Microsoft is keeping mum so the cat-and-mouse game continues. Naturally, we've put (another) word into Microsoft and we'll let you know when they respond with the usual shrug.

Xbox 360 Wireless N adapter live in the UK, US release still a mystery originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Xbox mandatory update isn't 'The Big One,' adds WPA2 support for wireless adapter

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Those of you who woke up extra early this morning to get in precious alone time with your Xbox 360 (we understand - we do it all the time) may have been tricked when a mandatory system update greeted you in place of the dashboard. Alas, the much ballyhoo'd Facebook/Twitter/Last.fm update has not yet arrived, as Microsoft's Major Nelson points out on his site.

Instead, the update brings with it support for the now five-year-old WPA2 security protocol. With that new and improved 802.11n wireless adapter hitting retailers next month, and with WPA2 certification being mandatory for all new Wi-Fi devices as of March 2006, Microsoft seems to be rolling out that addition in software. That's good news for those of you with a four-year-old Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter!

PSA: Xbox mandatory update isn't 'The Big One,' adds WPA2 support for wireless adapter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop lists November 3 release, $100 price for Xbox 360 Wireless N adapter

JC Fletcher — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:49:00 EST

When Microsoft told us that the new 802.11n adapter for Xbox 360 would be "another choice for consumers," we began to develop these crazy hopes that it would give consumers the choice to pay less than a hundred bucks for wireless 360 connectivity, either through a lower price point for itself or with a price drop on the existing wireless adapter.

If GameStop's listings are any indication, however, that's not to be. According to the retailer, the new device will sell for the same $99.99 as the current Wi-Fi adapter upon its release on November 3. Though there's still hope for the price on the existing adapter to drop, it too is currently listed at $99.99. Basically, consumers will now have the choice of which wireless protocol they prefer.

Gallery: Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter (802.11n)

[Thanks, Jugger G]

GameStop lists November 3 release, $100 price for Xbox 360 Wireless N adapter originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 802.11n adapter

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:40:00 EST

Late last week, we reported that Italian site MondoXbox had spotted an ad for an Xbox 360 802.11n adapter in the Gears of War 2 Game of the Year Edition box. Prior to that, the device was reviewed by the FCC. Speaking to Joystiq, Microsoft has confirmed that there is indeed such an adapter in the works. Unfortunately, the confirmation was accompanied by few actual details. Other than the fact that the adapter will allow gamers to "seamlessly connect with their home network with the highest wireless 'N' technology," we don't know anything about when it will release or, more importantly, how much it will cost.

Microsoft did refer to the device as "another choice to consumers," which lends credence to the belief that it will be marketed alongside the current Wi-Fi adapter, as opposed to replacing it altogether. Microsoft stated that more details will be available "soon" and advised us all to "stay tuned."

Gallery: Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter (802.11n)

Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 802.11n adapter originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: 360 802.11n adapter spotted in GOW2 GOTY box

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:20:00 EST

Image: MondoXbox.com

To be more specific -- and much less acronymic -- it appears that the super speedy Xbox 360 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter has been spotted on a promotional flier inside the Italian version of the Gears of War 2 Game of the Year edition. Italian gaming site Mondobox.com (translation) posted an image of the leaflet, which you can see above. Assuming it's authentic, it seems to indicate that both the original 802.11a/b/g and 802.11n adapter will continue to exist in the same market. And that, hopefully, indicates a price drop on the ridiculously overpriced original adapter.

We've contacted Microsoft about the peripheral and will update this post with new information if and when we receive it.

Rumor: 360 802.11n adapter spotted in GOW2 GOTY box originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 802.11n WiFi adapter reviewed by FCC

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

The IEEE recently standardized the 802.11n WiFi protocol, which has unofficially been appearing in consumer electronics products for over two years now. It seems that Microsoft is planning on keeping up with the times, as the Federal Communications Commission recently evaluated an "Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter" that adheres to the new WLAN standard. Using said protocol, this new adapter should afford users double the transfer speed they had using their previous dongles, and will also provide a massive boost in connection range to WiFi hotspots.

Of course, none of this matters if the thing costs $200 -- an estimate we arrived at using the "double the antennas, double the price" principle. We've contacted Microsoft for comment on the new hardware's due date and price point, and to find out if the new model effectively means we'll never, ever, ever see built-in WiFi for the 360.

[Via Engadget]

Xbox 360 802.11n WiFi adapter reviewed by FCC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 and Airport Extreme Compatibility Fix

David Dreger — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: How-tos, Xbox Live

Better late than never, we have a workaround fix for the compatibility issues we reported earlier this month regarding the new Airport Extreme Base Station and Xbox 360. Go to your Airport Utility, then Option-Click the radio setting button to reveal a drop down menu, from there, select "b/g compatible", not "n (b/g compatible)". That takes away the benefits of an 802.11 n network, but it gets the job done with 54 Mbps.

Next up is to Option-Click the button for encryption setting and select "WPA Personal". In DHCP settings under Internet, using the 360's MAC address, reserve an IP so it stays consistent. Finally, in your NAT options, select the 360's IP address as the "Default Host" to prevent any Live functionality issues, and restart your Extreme Base Station. Once you go to the network settings on your System blade, you should see your WPA-encrypted network show up. So your 360 and Airport Extreme can work together with encryption, although you kind of neuter the Base Station in the process.

[Via CrunchGear]

Xbox 360 and Airport Extreme Compatibility Fix originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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