For those new to smart home devices, how it connects to each other and to your phone is through a smart hub. This is a separate device that you’ll need to get and is also one of the problems with smart home devices as each brand would prefer if you got their hub, which means that it adds up to quite a lot of devices.
However it seems that TP-Link is hoping to streamline it a bit with the launch of a new mesh router which also combines a smart home hub. This means that it is essentially a two-in-one device which could cut down on the clutter. Dubbed the Deco M9 Plus, this will combine a router with a smart home hub that will allow users to connect ZigBee, Bluetooth, and WiFi-enabled devices to it. It will also work together with a bunch of brands (the compatibility list can be found on TP-Link’s website) and according to the company, it will also be compatible with Alexa and IFTTT.
Given that it is a mesh router as well, it means that even if users have no need for the hub feature, they can still use it for networking purposes and place it around their homes for WiFi coverage. The Deco M9 Plus will be priced at $300 for a two-pack, or if you just need a single unit it will retail for $179.
Filed in . Read more about Connected Objects, IoT (Internet of Things) and Tp-link.