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TP-Link Unveils New Router Range Featuring Wi-Fi 7
The company’s latest generation of routers include the $700 Archer BE900 quad-band router and an upcoming gaming model known as the GE800.
Despite most of us not having purchased our first Wi-Fi 6-enabled device, TP-Link has jumped the gun and released a range of Wi-Fi 7 routers based on the upcoming IEEE specification. The company is currently revamping its entire product line, including its flagship Archer router models, the Deco home mesh network devices, and its business-focused offerings.
Wi-Fi 7 offers faster speeds and reduced latency compared to previous iterations and allows devices to connect to two spectrums simultaneously (5Ghz and 6Ghz) using Multi-Link Operation (MLO). Like past generations, Wi-Fi 7 devices will be able to connect to older versions of the technology, but to enjoy the fastest speeds, you’ll need the same Wi-Fi 7 spec at each end.
Archer BE900
The first of the new TP-Link devices is the quad-band Archer BE900, which features a touchscreen that can show the time, weather, wireless stats, and emojis. OpenVPN is supported and a private IoT network for smart devices, with speeds of up to 24Gbps achievable — double that of the outgoing models.
As for connectivity, the BE900 offers an SFP+Fiber WAN option and an additional 10Gb WAN port, as well as four 2.5G ethernet ports. TP-Link says the BE900 “will be available for preorder starting December 31st and will ship in the first quarter of 2023, priced at $699.”
BE800 & BE550
Moving down the range, we find the new tri-band BE800 model, which can achieve 19Gbps wireless speeds and supports 10Gb internet services. The model retains the Archer BE900’s LED lights but ditches the touchscreen. Below that model sits the BE550, which features speeds of 9.3Gbps with 2.5Gbps ethernet ports. According to TP-Link, “Both these models are EasyMesh-capable and ready to create a wider-reaching home network.”
GE800
Gamers will likely be most interested in the tri-band Archer GE800 Gaming router, which features an app-powered Game Panel that can prioritize gaming traffic above other network data, and a dual-tower antenna design. The model supports 19Gbps Wi-Fi 7 speeds, with two 10Gb ethernet ports, two 2.5Gb ports, plus four gigabit ports. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced, but the router is expected to land in either Q1 or Q2 2023.
Deco BE95, BE85 & BE65
The new Deco range of home mesh routers has also been announced by TP-Link, with speeds ranging from 33Gbps to 11Gbps, and prices climbing all the way to $1,199.99 for the top model. The devices will be released sometime in Q1 or Q2 of 2023, with the company claiming that they will enable enthusiasts to create “the industry’s fastest mesh system.”
TP-Link has pulled out all the stops with this upcoming Wi-Fi 7 line of devices, even updating the tech in its new enterprise-based Omada access points and cellular 5G routers. If you’re an enthusiastic early adopter, you’ll only need to wait until early 2023 to experience a taste of the fastest Wi-Fi speeds out there.
News
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.