If there is anything more frustrating than spotty network reception, it is weak and limited Wi-Fi coverage. After all, if you have to use your laptop, smartphone or tablet in your living room only, you might as well just call it a desktop.

Our frustration with shabby Wi-Fi coverage has led to a rash of new devices and add-ons, the most recent of which is the Universal Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender from California's Netgear (News - Alert). As the name suggests, the Range Extender is designed to broaden a given Wi-Fi signal and improve network quality and performance. Netgear says that it can effectively combat buffering issues that often plague users in Wi-Fi dead spots like in upstairs bedrooms or on a back porch.

The device, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January but just launched today, can provide a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new Wi-Fi routers or can be used to extend Wi-Fi range in larger homes and offices, says Netgear. Wi-Fi range extenders have become much more useful in the last two years as families have begun relying more on tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles as in-home streaming options.

Netgear says that its latest iteration includes FastLane Technology for range extenders, which maximizes bandwidth for HD video streaming and online gaming. The device supports up to four wired-to-WiFi (News - Alert) connections and is compatible with any Ethernet-enabled device that is based on wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n standards.

One differentiating feature of the Universal Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender is its setup process. Netgear claims that the device doesn't require a CD or an Ethernet cable to be installed; users simply need to push the activation button. The extender also sports a network connection status display and a tool to help users find the most ideal location to mount the device.

The Range Extender retails for $79.99 – which is a bit loftier than other solutions – but it does seem to have a few more bells and whistles.

For more on Wi-Fi – and its integrated relationship with cellular networks – check out the below interview with Perry Correll (News - Alert), senior technologist at wireless specialist Xirrus. Correll, a keynote speaker at ITEXPO East 2012, offers an interesting window into what we can expect from the two network technologies in the coming years.