14 DAY TRIAL // We've seen wireless access network bridges, but there are things that perform the opposite function, and it is one of those things that TP-Link has just introduced, and which it will sell under the name of TL-WA890EA.
The actual full name of the product is N600 Universal Wireless Dual Band Entertainment Adapter, though it's not exactly self-explanatory.
Sure, the “dual-band” part is logical enough if this isn't the first time you read about wireless access points, routers and bridges.
But “entertainment adapter” is actually a pretty misleading term, because entertainment isn't the only thing that TP-Link was thinking about when it created the TL-WA890EA.
Indeed, what the company did was create something that would allow LAN-connected devices to link to a wireless network.
Previously, when it came to LAN-Wi-Fi communication, we mostly saw wireless routers and the like. Devices that would allow Wi-Fi devices to tap into physical networks and Internet connections./
The N600 Universal Wireless Dual Band Entertainment Adapter does the opposite, allowing wireless devices to connect to Wi-Fi networks.
It's pretty useful if, say, you go on a business trip or extended vacation, like a summer camp, and only have Wi-Fi in your hotel room. The TL-WA890EA will let you connect gaming consoles, DVRs, IPTVs, set-top boxes and Smart TVs to it.
Basically, as long as the device has an Ethernet port, the N600 will do the job it was made to do, at a speed of 600 Mbps.
That's 300 Mbps from the 2.4 GHz connection and another 300 Mbps from the 5 GHz band. Not really high-end, as one might say (the 5 GHz band would be considered slow / underwhelming even at 450 Mbps), but enough for the purpose that N600 was envisioned with: HD video and music streaming.
Finally, the TP-Link N600 Universal Wireless Dual Band Entertainment Adapter boasts advanced 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK encryption, which is activated when you turn the device on, which takes a single push of the WPS button.
A web-based management page will be made available to all buyers of the newcomer, for extra customization options, but it's not necessary for you to get the full use of the thing.
All in all, the TP-Link Universal Wireless Dual Band Entertainment Adapter, codenamed TL-WA890EA, has a price of $60. That's more or less the same as €44, though the EU price will probably be of €60 instead, as such things tend to turn out.