Ubiquiti, the network hardware company known for his carrier-grade equipment at industry-disruptive pricing, announced a new division dedicated to R&D in the consumer area. Ubiquiti is known more for the quality of their products than the user friendliness to non-technical users. This division should change that focus and it seems to be making a splash with their first product announcement, AmpliFi.
I am familiar with Ubiquiti from running their EdgeRouter Lite at home with a UniFi access point, which I have also installed for clients. I hope to have access to an AmpliFi system in time with the product’s release.
The AmpliFi Wi-Fi product seems to be a great system for improving wireless access throughout your home. The product includes a base station and two network extenders. The base has four LAN ports and a WAN port that you connect to your modem and any hardwired equipment. The extenders connect to the base with 802.11ac and extend the network through your home. The extenders connect to a power outlet and have a magnetic antenna that can be directed to improve signal coverage.
The starter system includes two extenders and more can be added to cover your dead spots. LEDs on the extenders indicate their signal quality and the display on the base can indicate your traffic speeds.
The router is setup and managed using an iOS or Android app. It allows you to see metrics, diagnose issues, and control guest access.
AmpliFi takes the new approach of routers to be well designed and easy to look at so that they can have a prominent position in the house to offer the best wireless coverage.
The AmpliFi starter system is now available for pre-order at $199 MSRP through amplifi.com and shipment is expected in Summer 2016. Two other configurations are also available, Amplifi LR (super long range) at $299 and Amplifi HD (High Density) at $349, to improve coverage for large areas or a dense number of clients.