Comcast [1] today is officially launching its own Wi-Fi extender devices called xFi Pods that help to address problems with weak Wi-Fi signals in parts of a customer’s home due to things like the use of building materials that disrupt signals, or even just the home’s design. The launch follows Comcast’s announcement[2] last year that it was investing[3] in the mesh router maker Plume, which offers plug-in “pods” that help extend Wi-Fi signals.
The company said that it would launch its own xFi pods that pair with Comcast’s gateways to its own customers as a result of that deal.
Those pods were initially available[4] in select markets, including Boston, Chicago and Denver, ahead of today’s nationwide launch.
The pods themselves are hexagon-shopped devices that plug in to any electrical outlet in the home, and then pair with Comcast’s xFi Wireless Gateway or the xFi Advanced Gateway to help Wi-Fi signals extend to the hard-to-reach areas of the home.
The pods work with the Comcast Gateways to continuously monitor and optimize the Wi-Fi connections, Comcast explains, while its cloud-based management service evaluates the home’s Wi-Fi environment to make sure all the connected devices are using the best signal bands and Wi-Fi channels. Plus, the devices are smart enough to self-monitor their own performance, diagnose issues and “heal” themselves, as needed, says Comcast.
However, early reviews of Plume’s pods were mixed. CNET[5] said the system was slow and the pods were too expensive, for example. But Engadget[6] found the system had the lowest latency, compared with competitors, and helped devices roam more easily and accurately.
Comcast has addressed some of the earlier...