Setup: Paired with an AT&T U-Verse gateway (2-WIRE model)
This little device works well, but one thing I dislike is that both the instructions and software itself try to steer users towards using a different SSID than your home wifi router. It automatically attempts to append "_EXT" onto your SSID to create its own. While this is fine for stationary devices like media streamers and cams it is not the correct setup to allow one to move freely about a home, between floors, etc. with a mobile device.
The way most consumer devices work is that they will hold onto a wifi signal and not try to hook onto a new SSID until it drops below, say, 50% for a given amount of time. For example, if your main wifi router is upstairs, and you place this device downstairs, once connected to this repeater your phone/tablet/etc. will likely stay connected to it even when you go back upstairs. This can be a problem as many devices will boost their wifi antenna power in order to try to maintain a more stable connection to a wifi router, and this puts a drain on the battery.
The better way to set things up for max mobility is to perform the manual setup ("Option #2" in the user guide), and change the SSID to match your main wifi router's. For example, if your SSID is called "mywifi", set the SSID on this repeater to "mywifi" as well. Most consumer devices move much more freely between multiple matching SSID points than they do between disparate SSIDs. This way, no matter where you move within the space your device will likely swap to the closest/strongest wifi. I have verified this behavior on Android, Chrome OS, and iOS.
Using a single SSID works for stationary devices, too. If you see your SSID repeated in the list of available connections (this is how it appears on a Roku player, for example), simply select the first one in the list as the entries are ordered by signal strength.
This little device works well, but one thing I dislike is that both the instructions and software itself try to steer users towards using a different SSID than your home wifi router. It automatically attempts to append "_EXT" onto your SSID to create its own. While this is fine for stationary devices like media streamers and cams it is not the correct setup to allow one to move freely about a home, between floors, etc. with a mobile device.
The way most consumer devices work is that they will hold onto a wifi signal and not try to hook onto a new SSID until it drops below, say, 50% for a given amount of time. For example, if your main wifi router is upstairs, and you place this device downstairs, once connected to this repeater your phone/tablet/etc. will likely stay connected to it even when you go back upstairs. This can be a problem as many devices will boost their wifi antenna power in order to try to maintain a more stable connection to a wifi router, and this puts a drain on the battery.
The better way to set things up for max mobility is to perform the manual setup ("Option #2" in the user guide), and change the SSID to match your main wifi router's. For example, if your SSID is called "mywifi", set the SSID on this repeater to "mywifi" as well. Most consumer devices move much more freely between multiple matching SSID points than they do between disparate SSIDs. This way, no matter where you move within the space your device will likely swap to the closest/strongest wifi. I have verified this behavior on Android, Chrome OS, and iOS.
Using a single SSID works for stationary devices, too. If you see your SSID repeated in the list of available connections (this is how it appears on a Roku player, for example), simply select the first one in the list as the entries are ordered by signal strength.
Product Description
NETGEAR WiFi Booster for Mobile amplifies WiFi coverage for mobile devices in the home by extending and strengthening an existing WiFi signal, for an improved wireless experience on iPads and Android tablets, smartphones, netbooks and e-readers. You can reduce 3G/4G mobile data charges by connecting to WiFi at home.
Features
- WiFi Booster for Mobile amplifies
- Ideal for iPads and Android tablets, smartphones, netbooks and e-readers
- Reduce 3G/4G mobile data charges by connecting to WiFi at home
- Supports Windows 8
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