The Duskbloods' closed network test is experiencing connectivity issues, and FromSoftware advised players to play near their router or switch to a wired connection; if problems persist, check Nintendo's Support page, with the testing period running through Monday.
Anker outlines five under-$25 gadgets to upgrade a tech kit: a USB-C to Ethernet Adapter ($16.99) for reliable wired connections on devices without Ethernet; a two-pack USB-A to USB-C Adapter ($12.99); the 5-in-1 USB-C Hub ($19.99) with two USB-A ports, HDMI, and a 90W USB-C passthrough; a nylon-braided USB-C 240W Charging Cable ($22.99) designed for durability and fast charging on compatible chargers; and the 10-in-1 Power Strip with Surge Protector ($19.99) offering six outlets, four USB ports (one USB-C with PD) and surge protection up to 300J plus coverage up to $200,000 for damaged devices. The picks are vetted by 4+ star Amazon ratings and avoid obvious items like fast chargers and power banks.
JSAUX releases a foldable 6-in-1 Gaming Dock for Switch 2 that can charge four Joy-Con 2 controllers and a Pro Controller 2, includes an adapter dock to connect to a TV with up to 4K@60Hz or 2K@120Hz, and adds a 1000Mbps Ethernet port along with SD/card slots and USB-C/USB 2.0 hubs. It also supports 60W to charge the console while delivering up to 100W for other devices. Priced at $59.99, the dock is compact and portable but may require extra space and could be overkill for some setups, though it could serve well as a second dock when folded."
Amazon has launched a USB-C Ethernet adapter for its Fire TV lineup (notably the second-gen Fire TV Stick HD) to deliver more reliable wired speeds. Hardware supports up to 1,000 Mbps, but the Fire TV Stick HD’s USB-C port is USB 2.0, so real‑world throughput is around 350 Mbps; the accessory offers a plug‑and‑play, affordable upgrade to reduce buffering and improve stability for streaming and other bandwidth-heavy uses, while paving the way for future USB 3.x‑enabled Fire TV devices and not functioning with USB-C PD‑only ports.
Desktops often have unused M.2 slots that can be repurposed with adapters to boost performance: upgrade networking with faster Ethernet, add USB ports, or even install a second GPU, unlocking new capabilities without buying a new PC.
Switch your Smart TV from WiFi to a wired Ethernet connection for a faster, more stable streaming experience; connect a Cat5e/Cat8 cable from your router to the TV’s LAN port, then enable Wired in the TV’s settings. Netflix lists about 15 Mbps for 4K and 25 Mbps for smoother loading; Ethernet can also reduce ping for gaming and apps. While researchers have demonstrated ultra-fast speeds in labs, practical home use should stick with wired Ethernet for now.
The article explains how to add a wired network to your home using existing coaxial cables and MoCA adapters, offering a reliable and cost-effective alternative to running new Ethernet cables, especially useful for improving internet stability in home offices.
A developer has created a library that enables the Raspberry Pi Pico to transmit data at 100 MBit/s Ethernet using bit-banging, making it possibly the first such implementation, though it is transmit-only and more complex than previous 10BASE-T setups.
Jim Keller suggests that Nvidia should have used Ethernet instead of proprietary NVLink for chip-to-chip connectivity in its Blackwell-based GB200 GPUs for AI and HPC, as it would have saved money and made software migration easier. Nvidia's use of proprietary interconnect technologies poses a challenge for porting software to different hardware platforms, benefiting Nvidia but not its competitors. While Ethernet is a competitor to Nvidia's InfiniBand, the industry is developing Ultra Ethernet, which may become a viable competitor for AI and HPC workloads. However, Nvidia's current designs continue to leverage proprietary interconnects, and any shift to open-standard technologies may be years away.
NVIDIA has introduced the BlueField-3 DPU as a SuperNIC, utilizing its Spectrum-4 switch and Spectrum-X software for high-performance AI interconnect. The BlueField-3 DPU is a significant upgrade from the BlueField-2 and offers 400Gbps capability. NVIDIA's move towards Ethernet-based networking for AI aims to simplify infrastructure for organizations lacking dedicated networking teams. The relationship between the FPGA-based SmartNIC "SuperNIC" solution and the BlueField-3 DPU remains unclear.
While wifi has become the norm for internet access, there are still several advantages to wiring your house with ethernet cables. Ethernet offers faster and more consistent speeds compared to wifi, with studies showing that wifi networks typically achieve only 42% of the speeds of a hardwired connection. Ethernet also provides more reliable coverage, eliminating wifi dead zones, and offers better security as it is a physical connection rather than a signal in the air. While wifi technology continues to advance, wiring your house with ethernet remains a worthwhile option for a superior internet experience.
The newly launched iPhone 15 models support USB-C to Ethernet adapters, enabling users to connect to a wired internet connection for faster download speeds compared to Wi-Fi. Apple confirmed this feature in a support document, with compatible USB to Ethernet adapters listed for the iPhone 15 series. When connected to an Ethernet cable, the Settings app displays an Ethernet menu with IP-related information and configuration options.
The newly launched iPhone 15 models support USB-C to Ethernet adapters, allowing for a wired internet connection with faster download speeds than Wi-Fi. Apple confirmed this feature in a support document, listing USB to Ethernet adapters as compatible with iPhone 15 models. When connected to an Ethernet cable, an Ethernet menu appears in the Settings app, providing IP-related information and configuration options. Previous iPhones with the Lightning connector also supported Ethernet with an adapter. The iPhone 15 models were launched in the U.S. and over 40 other countries.
Ethernet, invented by Bob Metcalfe and others at Xerox PARC in the mid-1970s, revolutionized local area networks (LANs) by using a combination of standards body politics and a minimalist design. Ethernet's media access control (MAC) procedures, known as CSMA/CD, improved on ALOHAnet's radio network by implementing carrier sense, multiple access, and collision detection. Ethernet's design allowed for efficient data transfer and the ability to connect thousands of computers to a LAN. Over the years, Ethernet assimilated higher bitrate protocols and became the dominant LAN standard, with its performance under load proving to be quite good.
A recent study by Ookla, the maker of Speedtest, shows that WiFi speed degradation was the lowest in the US among the twelve countries studied, but the average WiFi speeds are just 42% of the actual Ethernet performance. The UK and France were the worst two countries, with both losing over 70% of their Ethernet speed on WiFi. The study makes a strong case for using Ethernet on Macs, and suggests that users can grab an Ethernet adapter or check their USB-C hub for Ethernet. Apple could also bring back Ethernet to its MacBook Pro models or put Ethernet into its laptop USB-C power adapters.