Apple Adds New Products to Online Store, Including Linksys Velop Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Routers With HomeKit Support

[MacRumors]

Apple recently added several new products and accessories to its online store, including the Linksys Velop AX4200 mesh Wi-Fi 6 system, with one node priced at $249.95, a two-pack priced at $399.95, and a three-pack priced at $499.95.

Mesh technology offers whole home Wi-Fi coverage that is easily expandable by adding additional nodes, with Wi-Fi 6 offering faster speeds with lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 5, which was previously known as 802.11ac. HomeKit support, which rolled out with a software update last week, allows the AX4200 nodes to be managed through the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, complete with improved network security options.

Apple is also now selling Logitech's trackpad/keyboard case for the fourth-generation iPad Air, with key features including Smart Connector pairing, an adjustable kickstand, auto-adjusting backlit keys, and a cutout for charging the second-generation Apple Pencil without removing the case. The keyboard is available in gray for $199.95.

Nanoleaf, known for its range of smart lighting panels, recently launched new HomeKit-enabled "Elements Wood Look" hexagon lights with a wood grain veneer designed to offer a more natural lighting experience that blends in better with home decor and creates a cozy ambiance in the room. Apple is now carrying these lights for $299.95.

Other accessories added to Apple's online store include various protective cases and sleeves for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and AirPods Pro, as well as Belkin's wall-mounted Wemo Stage Scene Controller that allows you to control smart lights, shades, thermostats, door locks and other HomeKit-enabled accessories.

Article Link: Apple Adds New Products to Online Store, Including Linksys Velop Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Routers With HomeKit Support

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Going to be needing this Wifi-Router for iPhone 13. WIFI 6E. But it's so expensive

 

[Armada2]

Amazon would be a better bet to buy from with the amount of discount frequency happening on Tech

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Going to be needing this Wifi-Router for iPhone 13. WIFI 6E. But it's so expensive

Those routers aren't 6e

 

[kelemor88]

Going to be needing this Wifi-Router for iPhone 13. WIFI 6E. But it's so expensive

It’s only a WiFi 6 router. I have it it’s wonderful but since the update I can’t get it work with HomeKit which sucks

 

[scaramoosh]

I had these routers and they kept randomly restarting all the time... I put a fan on them and they stopped doing it :/ So obviously overheating, their forums have so many people complaining about it..... build a fan in them next time Linksys.

 

[bag99001]

Why the heck doesn't Apple buy TP-Link or Linksys or something and rebrand this as airport devices? I loved my Airport Extreme...so much easier to configure and reliable than the other routers at the time. They could totally charge "Apple Prices" for this too and most would willingly pay if the support and easy of use is there (maybe that is the issue! Routers are "tricky")?

 

[Braderunner]

It’s only a WiFi 6 router. I have it it’s wonderful but since the update I can’t get it work with HomeKit which sucks

Mine keeps saying it needs to be rebooted. From my experience...these don't support HomeKit. Not yet, anyway.

 

[v3rlon]

I tried two different versions of Linksys Velop because you didn't have to subscribe to a service to get decent parental controls.

That said, I would not recommend them unless you NEEDED good parental controls. Get a good router that will cover 5000 square feet (most houses are smaller than this. If yours is larger, you can probably hire a guy to solve your problems).

I kept having nodes lose their connection to the network. I would move them, reset them, update them, but nothing kept the network running. I even tried two different homes. Neither one was Farraday cage. Normal wooden and sheetrock walls shouldn't block signal like that.

 

[4jasontv]

If this design is anything like Comcast's xFi Gateway then it's an atmos-inspired space heater. The thing constantly overheats and ends up resetting itself.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Not seeing what the benefit is of having a HomeKit Router...

 

[haunebu]

Hold out for Wi-Fi 6E solutions to take advantage of that sweet new 6GHz band at this point. Anyone buying a 2.4 / 5GHz router should be aware that it's a pretty dramatic development in the world of Wi-Fi, especially for communications between base stations, i.e. mesh configurations. The consumer devices supporting 6GHz Wi-Fi are already appearing.

 

[BGPL]

I'm still running multiple Airport Extremes (wifi 5, 802.11ac) that are sharing from Ethernet.... and I never drop off and as long as they are faster than my Internet connection, I won't be updating. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[coachgq]

Routers are so 2020. Or maybe I’m just a low tech user. One thing I hated about cable internet was having a static space the router had to be. I got rid of my xFi and 6 pods and went with a T-Mobile router that I can place in the middle of my two store home with direct access to a window. This “50 mbps“ router is giving me speeds near 150 and 30 upload when I was on a 1 gig plan from xfinity getting about 30 down and 6 up. And I’m paying less than half the price every month.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Why the heck doesn't Apple buy TP-Link or Linksys or something and rebrand this as airport devices?

It’s just not a business they want to be in anymore. They did it at one point, just like printers, because, at the time, there just weren’t a lot of devices out there that matched the experience Apple wanted their customers to have. Once the market caught up and was able to produce better quality commodity devices, there was no need for them to keep producing theirs.

 

[willyx]

Hold out for Wi-Fi 6E solutions to take advantage of that sweet new 6GHz band at this point. Anyone buying a 2.4 / 5GHz router should be aware that it's a pretty dramatic development in the world of Wi-Fi, especially for communications between base stations, i.e. mesh configurations. The consumer devices supporting 6GHz Wi-Fi are already appearing.

I have a mesh router from TP-Link and I wonder what possible improvements can Wifi6 bring over how flawlessly this solution works now

 

[MacBird]

I'm still running multiple Airport Extremes (wifi 5, 802.11ac) that are sharing from Ethernet.... and I never drop off and as long as they are faster than my Internet connection, I won't be updating. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Same here, AirPort Extreme still works well, I need only one for the entire house and have a strong signal everywhere. The announcement probably underlines that Apple is not going to make new routers anytime soon or at all.

 

[Maconplasma]

The Wifi6 Linksys is nice but the Orbi 850 system is far better in terms of speed and feature set.

 

[kelemor88]

Mine keeps saying it needs to be rebooted. From my experience...these don't support HomeKit. Not yet, anyway.

Same thing mine is saying

 

[Truckondo]

Not seeing what the benefit is of having a HomeKit Router...

I have the same feeling about it too. Although if I knew what HomeKit enables a router to do, maybe I would change my mind.

 

[citysnaps]

A few years ago I went with Ubiquiti Unifi APs (and switches, router) and never looked back. 100% solid, with zero issues.

 

[Maconplasma]

A few years ago I went with Ubiquiti Unifi APs (and switches, router) and never looked back. 100% solid, with zero issues.

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this product. I strongly considered it but went with the Orbi Wifi6 system which I'm happy with.

 

[kelemor88]

I have the same feeling about it too. Although if I knew what HomeKit enables a router to do, maybe I would change my mind.

Basically isolates your home kit devices from outside interferences

 

[grobik]

Just returned my ax4200 3 pack. Went through 3 software versions, 2 with HomeKit support. First software update my iOS devices couldn’t keep connected and the next update my macs would constantly dip out and the whole network would reboot every 20 min. or so.

I just replaced with an eero 6 that I will also be returning. The HomeKit support is fine and the network is stable, but I max out at 160Mbps when the mesh nodes are connected. Come to find out the max speed when you have all nodes connected is 500Mbps. What’s the point of having fiber and Wi-Fi 6 at all with this thing?

I’m returning today for the Asus xt8 system. I’ll forgo HomeKit support for stability and to get the full speed I pay my isp for.

 

[whsbuss]

Going to be needing this Wifi-Router for iPhone 13. WIFI 6E. But it's so expensive

Went with the eero 6 pro - 2 units. (upgraded from eero 2nd gen). So far its been the most stable of all I tried and coverage is outstanding. Plus got a 20% discount from Amazon (added to future items to purchase).