Routers, meet apps.
On Thursday, Cisco released three new Linksys routers that the company said would receive their own app framework and third-party apps in June, together with the ability to control other connected devices.
The so-called "Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers" all feature 802.11n technology, ranging in price from $99 for the EA2700 to $139 for the EA3500 to $199 for the high-end EA4500.
All three will support Cisco Connect Cloud, the framework by which the new apps will be enabled. Cisco already uses its Cisco Connect software to control the router via a PC that's connected to the network; Connect Cloud is a Web app that can access and control the router from a trusted location. Features include adding devices to the network and setting parental controls, Cisco said.
When the software rolls out in June, users will need to sign up for a Cisco Connect Cloud account. At that point, Cisco promises that you'll be able to download apps for your smartphone that will allow you to control devices on the network, including the growing number of Internet-connected appliances, part of the so-called "Internet of things" that Cisco sees climbing to 15 billion devices by 2015.
Cisco is currently working with Whirlpool and more than two dozen other industry-leading companies, app developers and service providers, the company said.
"The proliferation of wireless devices and the explosion of video streaming have redefined the importance of the home network," said said Brett Wingo, vice president and general manager, Cisco Home Networking, in a statement. "Today's connected consumer has high expectations for reliability, simplicity, and software and apps that grow with them over time. Our new Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers are game-changing products that put intelligence into the home network so consumers have a platform that makes it easy to manage and optimize their devices, and enjoy apps that deliver great new experiences."
The EA2700 will include dual-band 802.11n (600Mbit/s), 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, basic parental controls, guest access, and IPV6 technology, plus the app capability. The EA3500 adds 750-Mbits/s dual-band 802.11n and a USB port, in addition to the EA2700's features. The EA4500 adds 900 Mbits/s capability and a DLNA server.
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