Phonex Broadband Corp. unveiled their new NeverWire 14 QX-201 last week.
This new HomePlug 1.0-compliant device uses “powerline carrier” technology to make use of the unused bandwidth in standard electrical wiring. With NeverWire 14, business or home users with multiple computers can use their existing power lines to create an instant 14MB Ethernet network that allows them to share high-speed internet access, share peripheral devices such as printers and play interactive network and Internet games.
There are no software drivers involved, and the resulting network will support both Mac and Windows systems, Brad Warnick, Phonex spokesperson, told MacCentral. NeverWire works with Mac OS 8.6 and up (including Mac OS X) and supports both TCP/IP and AppleTalk, he added. Warnick said it was the most Mac friendly product of its kind.
The NeverWire 14 costs US$129 per node and is available now. Each NeverWire device consists of a modem-sized box with two connectors: a power plug and an RJ-45 Ethernet jack. By plugging a NeverWire 14 into the wall, then plugging the RJ-45 jack into your computer or hub, you can instantly tap into a 14MB Ethernet network, Warnick said.
“Broadband users with two or more computers sometimes have a hard time connecting computers over the Internet when it comes to physically creating a network between computers in their house,” he added. “With our product, you can just plug it into the wall, enable the Ethernet ports on your device, and you’re good to go.”
The NeverWire 14 device can be used for a variety of tasks, including file sharing, printer sharing, remote backup of computers and gaming. When it comes to gaming, the Xbox and Playstation consoles have Ethernet ports and can also take advantage of the NeverWire technology.
With the powerline carrier technology, you can set up security with the touch of a button. The NeverWire’s extensive diagnostic features make it easy to do things such as verify a network, Warnick said.
You can use as many as 16 NeverWire units per powerline network. Each NeverWire 14 unit is capable of handling an unlimited number of computers and other devices such as computers, modems and printers.