Asus has announced the world's smallest all-in-one router in the form of the WL-330NUL. The WL-330NUL is a USB-powered device able to function as a traditional router, hotspot or access point. It's also capable of sharing wired or wireless internet connections to a variety of devices over secure networks.
Measuring in at 6.5 x 2 x 1.5cm and weighing just 25g, Asus has claimed the WL-330NUL is the world's smallest router. It'll work with Windows 8, Mac OS and iOS, among other operating systems.
While Expansys doesn't list a price, it's believed to be $39.99, with a release date scheduled for February 14. The router itself sports a single ethernet port and support for both USB 3.0 and 2.0. It's also compatible with 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz WiFi.
"For customers who travel often and require connectivity on notebooks, tablets, smartphones, and even desktops at once, easy sharing adds up to major savings plus provides good quality connections that do not deteriorate when extra devices are added to networks," Asus said.
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Zak Islam is a freelance writer focusing on security, networking, and general computing. His work also appears at Digital Trends and Tom's Guide.
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onakander Sounds more like a weird mobile hotspot. I guess technically it's a router... But if you bought this from newegg as a router without further info, you'd probably be left scratching your head.Reply -
icepick314 killabanksi doubt it would have much rangeReply
it's for sharing multiple devices in small confinement...
it's not designed as a full-blown home router...
I find this kind of device unnecessary if you have any laptops that are only couple years old...
most, if not all, new-ish wireless adapters with Windows 7/8 can function as wireless hotspot...
search on any search engine for hotspot software and you'll get quite a few results...
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killabanks icepick314it's for sharing multiple devices in small confinement...it's not designed as a full-blown home router...I find this kind of device unnecessary if you have any laptops that are only couple years old...most, if not all, new-ish wireless adapters with Windows 7/8 can function as wireless hotspot...search on any search engine for hotspot software and you'll get quite a few results...Reply
exactly or just use an android -
rwinches How is it powered? The pics show a wall wart. I hope it can use port power, not a battery.Reply -
rwinches So I can use wired ethernet and/or wifi for other devices and provide broadband for the USB device it's plugged into for power. And it may have a tiny battery.Reply -
chewy1963 rwinchesoops! OK usb powered. so why the wall wart?Reply
Apparently you can optionally use ac for power too. The rj-45 port is probably for the wan connection and the clients connect via wifi.
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WithoutWeakness This is designed as a portable router. People who are on business trips a lot or travel may be staying in a place where they have Ethernet in their hotel room but no WiFi. Plug this into a wall, run an ethernet cable, and BAM! WiFi for your room.Reply
This won't replace your home router. This isn't battery powered and won't pull data from a 3G/4G signal. This is simply a way to make a small hotspot out of an ethernet connection. The fact that it's powered over USB means it can be powered by any USB charger or can act as a USB->Ethernet adapter if it's plugged into a computer.