Testing the Almond 3 smart router in the CNET Smart Apartment
[MUSIC]
Hey I'm here in the CNet Smart Department where we've been testing out securified Almond 3 Smart Routers, specifically how it can help corral your Smart Home gadgets.
So this is it right here, we've got it plugged in back.
Back in our server room, and aside from letting us on the Internet, it can also keep track of all the other devices that are connected, and that includes smart home devices.
It also has a built-in rules engine so that you can automate when they come on and come off based on your location, based on the time of day, even based on your wi-fi presence.
So I've got my phone here and you can see the wi-fi's off.
When I turn the wi-fi on and my phone Phone joins up with the Almond Network.
You can see this lamp just turns on automatically.
It texts me on the network and says hey, it's time to turn the lamp on.
Almond also offers its own proprietary hardware so you've got motion sensors and smart switches and these contact sensors.
You can stick these on a door and they can detect using magnets when things are opening.
And close.
So you see when I close them like this, the lamp turns off.
When I open them like that, the lamp comes back on.
You can set that to turn things on just when you open and close a door.
Now in my tests, all of that worked well.
The rules engine, the wi-fi detection, the extra hardware You can get.
It was all very nicely snappy and responsive and easy to use.
It was just a shame that when we tried to expand the wi-fi setup of the multiple routers in the home things kinda fell apart, kinda glitchy and unreliable.
Be sure to checkout our full review of the Almond 3 smart router for more of its network reliability and overall feature set.
Here in the smart department as a smart home controller, it's a pretty interesting device.
Up Next
Amazon's Echo Show 8 Photos Edition Highlights Your Memories
Up Next
Amazon's Echo Show 8 Photos Edition Highlights Your Memories
Amazon's Alexa Gets More Conversational With AI
Amazon's Alexa Gets More Conversational With AI
Connecting Your Smart Home: Samsung Reveals SmartThings Station at CES 2023
Connecting Your Smart Home: Samsung Reveals SmartThings Station at CES 2023
Best Philips Hue Lights -- 2022 Roundup
Best Philips Hue Lights -- 2022 Roundup
Philips Hue's Festavia Christmas Lights Shine Bright
Philips Hue's Festavia Christmas Lights Shine Bright
Google Nest Wired Doorbell and Nest Wifi Pro Hands-On
Google Nest Wired Doorbell and Nest Wifi Pro Hands-On
Apple Could Be Ready to Launch the Next HomePod
Apple Could Be Ready to Launch the Next HomePod
The Revolution R270 Is a Smart Toaster With a Screen
The Revolution R270 Is a Smart Toaster With a Screen
Erasing Our Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant Smart Homes
Erasing Our Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant Smart Homes
Amazon Glow: An interactive projector for kids
Amazon Glow: An interactive projector for kids
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro