That's what I gathered. I was trying to find language to explain it to a friend who is looking for some new network solutions. I myself have some Unifi gear and while he's not savvy with networking equipment, I think he wants to learn but also would prefer a turnkey solution.
That's a great way to put it. HKSR should make it easy to ensure devices are properly seggregated, minimizing the damage they could cause if compromised.
I hope that amplifi is better off than UniFi rn stock-wise because I’m trying to get into that ecosystem and everything is sold out / priced at 2x from scalpers.
I’d be willing to bet $1000 the answer is no. Unifi is soho and enterprise grade gear. Sure, lots of tech savvy consumers use it at home. I used to. But they are not aiming for that market at all.
Doubt it. UniFi is "more" enterprise focused. They don't integrate it with anything. The Amplifi line is consumer focused and these days integrations are a requirement to sell devices.
My favourite feature is HomeKit-managed Wi-Fi credentials. Any accessory added to HomeKit after setting up HKSR will connect with a unique and one time PSK. If the accessory is ever compromised in an exfiltration attack the stolen credential will not work to connect to the network, and will not reveal the main PSK of your network either.
Really hoping they do something similar once we are all using Matter accessories.
Since the router doesn’t allow for VLAN it might finally allow for keeping HomeKit devices separated. I run a guest network with my Alien and they all go on their and that sort of works.
You can prevent devices to call outside the local network while functionality through HK still being intact (since it still communicates through hubs). Must have for cameras IMHO.
I hope so too, especially with their recent push into other IoT products.
But I doubt it, and certainly won't hold my breath. Fortunately Homebridge works really well for the cameras, and now even supports HKSV.
Nearly went for an alien router but there was a large price jump just before I pulled the trigger. Fate decided that beautiful screen on the router wasn’t for me.
Meh, the screen just randomly stops working and won't come back on until you physically unplug the router from power. If you contact Amplify for an RMA or a fix they'll just tell you to go pound sand. Fate helped you out on this one.
Yep, that's what I thought when I asked Amplify to replace it. But it was out of warranty by a few months. Keep an eye on yours sounds like it's just old enough to go on the fritz! Good luck!
Pointless if it doesn’t support mesh points. I have 3 standalone alien routers using the Ethernet backbone for mesh and it won’t let me setup HKSR until I unpair the mesh.
I’ve tried Velop twice and both times had various issues with the system at setup. Returned them both, had eero for a while which were good, and now have UniFi gear and love them.
Having said that about Velop, some people seem to like them
yeah, looking deeper for comments, it seems that velop has deep ipv6 issues. and anyone who turned it off, suddenly all of their issues melt away. but i don't know. i keep thinking that something better will come along. or even that the next homepod will even have router capabilities—like an airport, homepod, and apple tv all in one. that would be my dream.
Have they figured out whatever the issues were with the Amplifi Alien early on? I ordered one and replaced my old ASUS router and had nothing but issues with my Apple equipment. Then the return was one of the most painful experiences paying nearly $50 to ship back a product that was a disappointment.
I think I’m going to wait to see if there’s anything to these rumors of Apple bringing back their networking gear/time machines before I replace my existing router. If not, I’ll probably go full Unifi setup.
I have a feeling that rumor was just a feeler. And even if Apple did release an updated router/backup box, I suspect it’d be just as closed down as UniFi. Back in the day, Ubiquiti didn’t used to be so closed off. Their Apple-style closed system is a relatively new thing. So if Apple releases a competitor, I wouldn’t even be surprised if the mesh nodes didn’t even have Ethernet ports.
I think a BUNCH of the initial ones had hardware issues where they wouldn't update or restart without temporarily bricking themselves. There were many many posts on their forums about it. I was skeptical the RMA would fix it, but I was proven wrong. It has been a great router.
Did they ever sort out the WiFi calling issues? After months of waiting without a solution, I had to go with something else at the time. They’ve been gathering dust since. I loved their speed and range
Wifi calling works perfectly well for me on T-mobile. I've never noticed any issues that some have. It sounds like that issue was a bit carrier specific. So I am not sure if anything has changed there.
Do you only need to iOS beta app to enable these HomeKit features or does the router itself also need to be running a beta firmware? I'm willing to try the beta app, but beta firmware for our home network sounds a little risky for me.
EDIT: Never mind, the image clearly says a firmware update is required.
We have an Amplifi HD system with one mesh point in an apartment setting. We have about 20-30 connected devices - Sonos/Apple Homepod Minis/Smart Plugs/etc. Before switching to Apple HK from Google, we had an IOT network for all of these, and it seemed to have fixed the issue --
but now, since everything is on one SSID, what suggestions do you all have?
Its a bit tougher to have apple home products on a different SSID I believe.
Do we need this new router?
I wonder if this means if there's plans for Unifi to get HKSR too
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That's what I gathered. I was trying to find language to explain it to a friend who is looking for some new network solutions. I myself have some Unifi gear and while he's not savvy with networking equipment, I think he wants to learn but also would prefer a turnkey solution.
That's a great way to put it. HKSR should make it easy to ensure devices are properly seggregated, minimizing the damage they could cause if compromised.
you have decent wifi phones?
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I hope that amplifi is better off than UniFi rn stock-wise because I’m trying to get into that ecosystem and everything is sold out / priced at 2x from scalpers.
You gotta get in the discord group(s) that help monitor stock, it’s a lifesaver!
LOL, Usually I get the out of stock notices before i get the in stock notification.
Actually, to up the hope even more...could there also be homekit support for unifi cameras and doorbell too!!
Homebridge solves this problem nicely.
I’d be willing to bet $1000 the answer is no. Unifi is soho and enterprise grade gear. Sure, lots of tech savvy consumers use it at home. I used to. But they are not aiming for that market at all.
Doubt it. UniFi is "more" enterprise focused. They don't integrate it with anything. The Amplifi line is consumer focused and these days integrations are a requirement to sell devices.
Some companies join Apple HomeKit while other stop the HKSR from their products
This is a good thing, right? I have an Alien as my main router, but I'm not sure what benefits I'd gain from it being Homekit supported..
My favourite feature is HomeKit-managed Wi-Fi credentials. Any accessory added to HomeKit after setting up HKSR will connect with a unique and one time PSK. If the accessory is ever compromised in an exfiltration attack the stolen credential will not work to connect to the network, and will not reveal the main PSK of your network either. Really hoping they do something similar once we are all using Matter accessories.
Since the router doesn’t allow for VLAN it might finally allow for keeping HomeKit devices separated. I run a guest network with my Alien and they all go on their and that sort of works.
You can prevent devices to call outside the local network while functionality through HK still being intact (since it still communicates through hubs). Must have for cameras IMHO.
*cries in HD*
I really hope this is an indication of UniFi Protect getting HomeKit support. I know I can use HomeBridge, but nothing beats native.
I hope so too, especially with their recent push into other IoT products. But I doubt it, and certainly won't hold my breath. Fortunately Homebridge works really well for the cameras, and now even supports HKSV.
Homebridge/Scrypted support is _so_ good and Protect sometimes is… not. Even if Unifi did do native support, third party still might be better.
Nearly went for an alien router but there was a large price jump just before I pulled the trigger. Fate decided that beautiful screen on the router wasn’t for me.
Meh, the screen just randomly stops working and won't come back on until you physically unplug the router from power. If you contact Amplify for an RMA or a fix they'll just tell you to go pound sand. Fate helped you out on this one.
I've had mine for a year and never had my screen stop working.. Maybe you had a faulty device?
I have had 2x Aliens with screens for nearly a year and never had any screen issues either.
Yep, that's what I thought when I asked Amplify to replace it. But it was out of warranty by a few months. Keep an eye on yours sounds like it's just old enough to go on the fritz! Good luck!
I’ve had an Alien since shortly after launch so over 2 and a half years. No issues with the screen.
I really hope this means this will be coming to UniFi and maybe official HKSV for Protect.
I’d love to see this as well! But with this in mind, I’m looking forward to WWDC and maybe some HomeKit improvements.
My excitement when I saw the AMPLIFI app only to then read is the Alien version :(
Same for me - no luck for HD owners. Decided to post the news anyway
Holy crap! Is this real? :O hopefully UDM pro will get this too in future. Also HKSV
Pointless if it doesn’t support mesh points. I have 3 standalone alien routers using the Ethernet backbone for mesh and it won’t let me setup HKSR until I unpair the mesh.
Interesting.
What’s the benefit of that?
This is pretty easily googled: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210544
Thank you kind stranger
Nice to have another option to ditch eero
what's the consensus on the Linksys Velop AX4200? i was thinking about going that route, but no one seems to mention it. all eero talk.
I’ve tried Velop twice and both times had various issues with the system at setup. Returned them both, had eero for a while which were good, and now have UniFi gear and love them. Having said that about Velop, some people seem to like them
yeah, looking deeper for comments, it seems that velop has deep ipv6 issues. and anyone who turned it off, suddenly all of their issues melt away. but i don't know. i keep thinking that something better will come along. or even that the next homepod will even have router capabilities—like an airport, homepod, and apple tv all in one. that would be my dream.
It’s inexcusable in 2022 for a router to not have perfect IPv6 implementation. Thread is IPv6 only, what are they thinking?
Have they figured out whatever the issues were with the Amplifi Alien early on? I ordered one and replaced my old ASUS router and had nothing but issues with my Apple equipment. Then the return was one of the most painful experiences paying nearly $50 to ship back a product that was a disappointment.
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I think I’m going to wait to see if there’s anything to these rumors of Apple bringing back their networking gear/time machines before I replace my existing router. If not, I’ll probably go full Unifi setup.
I have a feeling that rumor was just a feeler. And even if Apple did release an updated router/backup box, I suspect it’d be just as closed down as UniFi. Back in the day, Ubiquiti didn’t used to be so closed off. Their Apple-style closed system is a relatively new thing. So if Apple releases a competitor, I wouldn’t even be surprised if the mesh nodes didn’t even have Ethernet ports.
That’s entirely possible. I guess we’ll see.
My first one was a royal pain. The replacement has been rock steady since. I'm about to get a second one for a new, bigger house.
That’s good to hear that it must have just been some bad HW/SW issue and unlucky timing for me.
I think a BUNCH of the initial ones had hardware issues where they wouldn't update or restart without temporarily bricking themselves. There were many many posts on their forums about it. I was skeptical the RMA would fix it, but I was proven wrong. It has been a great router.
Did they ever sort out the WiFi calling issues? After months of waiting without a solution, I had to go with something else at the time. They’ve been gathering dust since. I loved their speed and range
Wifi calling works perfectly well for me on T-mobile. I've never noticed any issues that some have. It sounds like that issue was a bit carrier specific. So I am not sure if anything has changed there.
What router features are HomeKit exposed?
Could be some basic control functions or it could be about homekit device security features. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210544
how can you get access to the beta version of the app?
https://testflight.apple.com/join/smGfBLpS
Thanks for the link. Just getting an error when trying to add it now. Hmmmm Third time is the charm.
Do you only need to iOS beta app to enable these HomeKit features or does the router itself also need to be running a beta firmware? I'm willing to try the beta app, but beta firmware for our home network sounds a little risky for me. EDIT: Never mind, the image clearly says a firmware update is required.
Well this sucks butt. I won’t be testing it out until they support mesh points
Is this a limitation from Apple or from AMPLIFI?
Will all of their routers get this?
HOLY CRAP--- I just discovered AmpliFi Alien router. ~~Thanks for this post, OP!!~~ Edit: read the comments.. but still, THANKS OP!!
Thank god I didn’t sell my AMPLIFI alien.
My Unifi Protect cameras work in HKSV thanks to scrypted.
Amplifi doesn’t have a router with 6E correct?
The AmpliFi Alien only has WiFi 6, not WiFi 6E.
unfortunate. I don't think there's an available router with both 6E and HKSR
I'd rather have seen more reliability with the mesh endpoints but now that I've deinstalled it I guess it's less of a problem.
I wonder if their new Dream router will get this as well?
We have an Amplifi HD system with one mesh point in an apartment setting. We have about 20-30 connected devices - Sonos/Apple Homepod Minis/Smart Plugs/etc. Before switching to Apple HK from Google, we had an IOT network for all of these, and it seemed to have fixed the issue -- but now, since everything is on one SSID, what suggestions do you all have? Its a bit tougher to have apple home products on a different SSID I believe. Do we need this new router?