appleitv (Custom)

Okay, so it’s not exactly Web 2.0, but I’ve been thinking about Apple’s pre-announced ITV set-top box.

Om Malik over at GigaOM thinks that Apple plans to use 802.11n for ITV, setting it as a standard.

Problem is, for many residential configurations (mine included), wireless is simply too dodgy. Cement walls, thick closets, and diagonal propagation lines can seriously degrade or prevent wireless performance.

Enter power line networking. I’ve been looking at NetGear’s HDXB101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter. At up to 200Mbps, it’s nice and fast, and it’s literally plug and play into any power outlet. There are two drawbacks to power line networking, which can be easily addressed:

  1. Neighbors on the same circuit can eavesdrop: this can be managed using appropriate security, just as WiFi does.
  2. If each adapter is on a different circuit, you may not be able to connect: apparently this is not a major issue.

I’d like to see Apple break away from wireless and do something truly innovative. Let’s hear it for the AC outlet.

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