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Amazon Acquires Mesh WiFi Maker Eero
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I picked up Ubiquiti for our home a month ago after getting the 411 on it from another member. Covers every part of the house.
No, it’s not. Apple knows very well that WiFi is a dead end technology that’ll be replaced in the near future by ubiquitous 5G chips in anything with a CPU, ranging from powerful devices like computers to the most mundane electronics like dog collars or keychains. 5G is built exactly for those kinds of applications, with bandwidth that exceeds what most people get on WiFi.
Apple devices already connect peer-to-peer (i.e. AirDrop, Continuity). They can self identify peer-to-peer, providing all the functions we get from local networking, without any of the network management hassles.
Apple is already building their own 5G modems that’ll be integrated into their A-series chips. There’ll be no need for local networks, therefore no need for an updated AirPort, in the same way there’s no need for Apple to develop an updated SuperDrive.
I was about to do that myself. I then read a review, (the guy was an IT specialist), he was complaining about the fact that Ubiquiti will not give you access to your own logs or something.
If I can find it I’ll link it.
I’ll keep using my 3 AirPort Extreme ac base stations (via Ethernet backhaul) until they cease functioning. They’re rock solid with all my equipment (Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Nest, and countless others) and require virtually zero maintenance.
I’m sorry but 5G isn’t going to suddenly hand wave away the need for local connectivity, nor will it replace,the need for local secure networks. Apple’s devices don’t live in some magic peer to peer vacuum in most homes and businesses either.
Nobody said “suddenly”.
5G is going to roll out over several years, with even the smallest, most mundane devices coming with cellular connectivity built in. They won’t need to connect to local networks because they’ll be connected directly to the internet via low power 5G. With each new device that contains a 5G chip, that’s one less device that needs to connect via WiFi. Eventually, WiFi will serve little purpose.
I guess when all my devices can connect with each other at >=10GbE in a secure manner, and my cellular provider can hook me up with unlimited bandwidth then I’ll comsider removing them from my #2 list of most hated companies. For now I’ll just continue to be pissed off that they can’t get LTE to my basement, and that I can’t talk on my cell while I walk my kids to school. Color me skeptical.
5G is designed to solve exactly that problem. More reliable connectivity with a huge increase in bandwidth to support large numbers of devices at low power. 5G is projected to support speeds of 10 Gbps, not just between devices but up and down to/from the internet. That beats the fastest cable internet by a factor of at least 10x.
We’re about to enter an era where virtually anything with a CPU will have cellular connectivity integrated. The need for a WiFi will disminish as new devices roll out with 5G support.
I’m bummed that this wasn’t Apple buying Eero, and that they seem to have abandoned the WiFi networking space. Strategically, there are so many options for how this tech could fit into the ecosystem. And the world needs a simple, effective networking option from a company where security and privacy are paramount.
There’s an outside chance they’re working in their own solution in secret, but I’m not holding out much hope. The whole thing is a head scratcher.
There’s an outside chance they’re working in their own solution in secret, but I’m not holding out much hope. The whole thing is a head scratcher.
This is very interesting and not something I considered until now. (I haven’t really looked into 5G.)
Will signal reception and strength still be the weakest link with this like it is with LTE now?
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Which Ubiquiti and why?
I just bought an extra new airport express to add to my 2nd gen AirPort Extreme + Express for when the day comes I need more coverage. It’s safe. It’s stable.
Now, I understand people with larger (2000 sq. Foot+) homes, weird construction materials, or whatnot, but why the extra worry, pick someone that isn't owned by Amazon. Time will tell...we’ve been burnt too many times already.
Now, I understand people with larger (2000 sq. Foot+) homes, weird construction materials, or whatnot, but why the extra worry, pick someone that isn't owned by Amazon. Time will tell...we’ve been burnt too many times already.
5G has a shorter range than LTE because it’s lower power. That enables smaller, easier to install transmitters, virtually everywhere you look, if you know where to look. This will result in a higher diversity of transmitter locations and more redundancy, resulting in higher reliability.
This is why Apple has divested itself from WiFi. 5G will overtake it. I’m not saying this as a hunch, it’s the actual intended purpose of 5G, by design, to make cellular connectivity ubiquitous from the biggest devices to the most mundane. There’ll be 5G chips in virtually everything that has a CPU. There will be no need for WiFi.
Smaller cities and suburban areas are not going to have reliable 5G coverage for years. For the utopian network you’re talking about you’d need a 5G antenna (and connected back end) on every telephone pole or street light post. I just don’t see it happening outside major metropolitan areas for a long time.
Yes, and some of us, even in the UK, live in sufficiently rural locations that there are no telephone poles or street lights...
They've just gone from Eero to zero.
AirPort Extreme is the still the best solution for security, privacy and ultimate seamless integration across all your devices.
AirPort Extreme is the still the best solution for security, privacy and ultimate seamless integration across all your devices.
I am sure this has to do with frequency and regulation in each countries more so than the tech. 5G NR should actually have slightly longer range than LTE in the same frequency ( Edge Cell ). Shorter Distance was referring to mmWave?
I have at one point thought of the similar scenario of 5G taking over, that goes everything from PC, Laptop, Phones, Tablet to IoT. Technically it is vastly superior, even with 5G NR over 5Ghz ( Unlicensed Spectrum ). The problem is cost, from patents to modem BOM. Together that is well over $50 in cost than WiFi.
I don't see how 5G is economically feasible replacing WiFi.
I've had a quick couple of reads about 5G but your explanation makes this tech sound very interesting... I've always tried to create the best home WiFi network using multiple hardwired AirPorts but in the future it sounds like it won't even be necessary.
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How do you like Amplifi? I was going to buy into a couple of these but decided not to after I read about a couple of silly things like the non-usable usb port at this point in time.
Yep, USB port doesn’t do anything. But they never claimed it did, so...
I like amplifi. I have five cubes and a teleport. Rock stable. Current up time nearly two months, and I’ve only had to reboot because of firmware updates. iOS app is great. It’s a little confusing that a few settings require going to a web page and the rest are in the app. The teleport is a very neat thing and I use it a lot. I get good Wi-Fi and wired performance. My outside connection is about 280mbps, and I understand some people with gigabit connections claim they don’t get full speed, but I have no experience with that so I can’t opine.