IiNet hints at new BoB in 2012

news Dropping hints about new products due to be launched in 2012, iiNet Labs team member Simon Watt has revealed in a blog post this week that one of these is a major new broadband hardware product.

Watt disclosed that the new mystery product has required the entire iiNet Labs team to come at the same time at the iiNet head office in Subiaco, WA for discussions on the New Year release. He stated that the team has been brainstorming for the very best name for the new product. Watt as well assured that the new product's research is being designed to keep pace with fast-moving research to serve clients' needs.

Just about a year ago, iiNet had extended its popular BoB integrated ADSL router product line with BoB Lite-the first product to be designed, developed and distributed internally in its in-house development labs. The device features a port for a telephone to connect to its in-built internet telephony line, four Ethernet LAN ports, an ADSL port and two USB ports to connect USB storage or a 3G modem to improve its inbuilt functionality. The inclusion of a PSTN failover port is intended to alleviate any downtime on iiTalk, which is iiNet's VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service.

iiNet followed this with a new model of its BoB ADSL integrated router range in February 2011. The new iiNet BoB provides ADSL2+ functionality, the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi standard, a handset with a full colour screen and dual VoIP capability to support two phone numbers from two providers. The new model continues to support iiNet's Fetchtv internet video platform and as well supports IPv6 however not gigabit Ethernet. Steve Harley, iiNet Labs CEO stated that the new BoB would feature a built-in answering machine and parental control functionality and would be geared to keep with network changes, just as the National Broadband Network rollout.