D-Link DIR-685 Wireless Router [802.11n Connectivity, 2.5-in LCD Display with Connection Data, 2.5-in SATA HD Slot]

A wireless router is a wireless router is a wireless router, right? The ubiquitous black boxes get hooked up and you get connected. They usually find themselves stashed on a shelf or on the floor out of the way, and most of us have adopted an out of sight out of mind mentality when it comes to our routers. The folks at D-Link are hoping to change this attitude with their latest product introduction, the DIR-685 Wireless Router.

The D-Link DIR-685 wireless router is, of course, a wireless router. It provides the basic features you’d expect to find in a typical 802.11n wireless router. But where this one differs from the rest is in its gaggle of cool features not so commonly found in products of this ilk.

But all you have to do is look at this thing to know that it’s going to be different. There are no antennae sticking out of the main box (they’re tucked away neatly inside) and there’s a 3.2-in LCD screen displayed proudly on the face of the unit. The integrated display can be used to show photos, making it a bit of a small-sized photo frame, or useful information such as connection speed, weather or RSS feeds, all configured via D-Link’s management software.

Extending functionality further, the DIR-685 – also known as the “Xtreme N Storage Router” – has room to take a slot-loaded 2.5in SATA hard drive. The drive will need to be provided by the user, but plug one in and you’ll turn the router into a network-attached storage solution. It will support UPnP server functions, and can be used for BitTorrent downloads or as an FTP server. The router also features a pair of USB ports that make use of D-Link’s SharePort technology so users can share USB devices such as printers or external hard drives.

The DIR-685 is available exclusively from www.Play.com priced at 194.99 GBP (about $330).