It's not often that a product gets two launch announcements, but following a lengthy delay, iiNet has decided to pop the Champagne all over again for the launch of BoB2.
"BoB2 is here… and we mean it this time!" boasts the iiNet press release.
The BoB2 is an all-in-one Internet and phone solution that combines a landline phone, ADSL2+ modem, router, VOIP, NAS and IPTV functionality with support for FetchTV.
Originally slated for an April release, the BoB2 was held back by iiNet so that improvements could be made to the included handset. "Technology never stays still, and iiNet Labs has delayed the introduction of BoB2 to source cutting-edge handsets that we know our customers will love," Steve Harley, General Manager of iiNet Labs said at the time.
Some of the improvements new to the BoB2 include an inbuilt answering machine, Dual VOIP with support for two phone numbers from dual providers, a colour handset screen, secure wireless and a "sleeker, sexier design". (It looks like the BoB Lite to us.)
Like previous BoB modems, the BoB2 uses 802.11n Wi-Fi and has an indoor range of approximately 70 metres.
“More than 4500 customers told us what they wanted from a modem router and BoB2 is the result. I don't know the word for 'better than awesome', but BoB2 is it,” Harley said in a statement.
Invisible Bridge
iiNet has also announced the iiNet Wireless Bridge; a 5Ghz wireless router that bridges the gap between the BoB2 modem and a FetchTV set-top-box. This enables FetchTV to be streamed around the house without the need for cables or rewiring; including HD video. Naturally, it can also be used to connect wireless devices in areas of the home where your WiFi signal is weak.
BoB2 can be purchased outright for $279 - around $90 less than the previous iiNet BoB - or for $199 on a 24 month contract. The iiNet Wireless Bridge costs $119 for a pair. Additional handsets can be snapped up for $89.
These days, a bare-bones modem usually costs under $100, which makes the BoB2 seem a bit pricey. However, once you factor in the price of the phone and additional functionality, we think the RRP is quite reasonable.
