Linksys today announced the launch of a new subscription service that lets you use some of the company's existing Velop mesh Wi-Fi router systems as motion-sensing security devices.

linksys aware
Dubbed Linksys Aware, the technology is initially compatible only with the company's Velop Tri-Band AC2200 routers, but will be rolling out to some of the brand's other mesh Wi-Fi products in a phased rollout.

Linksys Aware is able to sense motion in your house without the need to add cameras or other accessory devices, with the various mesh nodes detecting how movement in the vicinity affects Wi-Fi signals as the nodes communicate with each other.

linksys aware 1
Users can customize the sensitivity level of the system to filter out pets of various sizes, for example, and once the motion threshold is exceeded you'll receive a notification on your phone.

As the system doesn't involve a camera, there's no way to remotely check in on the detected motion to see what it is, but at least you'll be alerted if unexpected motion is detected in your home. Motion events are stored for 60 days, so you can check back to see a recent history by hour, day or week.

linksys aware 2
Linksys Aware is free for the first 90 days, after which a subscription priced at $2.99 monthly or $24.99 annually will be required. A firmware update and App Store app update will be rolling out today to add support for the feature.

With the discontinuation of its AirPort lineup of wireless routers, Apple has embraced Linksys as one of its primary third-party partners, selling several configurations of the Velop system online and in its retail stores.

Tag: Linksys

Top Rated Comments

Braderunner Avatar
73 months ago
$25/year? To be notified that something caused motion to be detected. With all the cameras available, that have motion detection...what's the point? Other than taking your money.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcdawg Avatar
73 months ago
Oh, screw you and the "recurring-revenue subscription-model" horse you rode in on, Slinksys.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iModFrenzy Avatar
73 months ago
Was all for it till I saw a subscription.

It’s a cool feature, but there is no way this warrants a subscription. You can’t even see what’s causing the motion unless you have cameras. And at that point, most cameras like Ring, already have motion detection...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
centauratlas Avatar
73 months ago
Subscription based is just stupid. One owns the hardware, why should one have to pay extra for it?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
73 months ago
The problem with these "security systems", beyond $25/year subscription fee, is lack of visual confirmation. If you are at work and you get an alert, are you going to drive home only to see that it was a false alarm?

Your money is far better spent on security camera, ideally one that would be supported by HomeKit Secure Video coming later this year.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
73 months ago
How long before a router company such as Eero, which is now owned by Amazon, starts doing this without telling you to track how many people, animals and children are in your house for targeted advertising?

This is precisely why Apple still needs to make routers. Creepy.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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