Comcast Launches xFi App Which Makes It Easier For Average User To Control WiFi Network

Comcast launched on Monday the xFi, a new app for customers of its Xfinity Internet. The app would make it easier for the average user to control the WiFi network. Although there are a lot of great routers, most of these have difficult interfaces to set up and configure the WiFi network.

The xFi, which works for a cable modem and wireless router, is an app for iOS and Android that works with Internet gateway boxes Xfinity subscribers could rent. Although Engadget often recommends that people buy their own gear instead of renting from their service provider, the tech website says millions of customers could go with the Xfinity offer.

Chris Satchell, chief product officer of Comcast, says about 10 million Comcast subscribers have its standard gateway. However, more would get the xFi Advanced Gateway which supports the Gigabit speeds Xfinity is launching.

To help set up the xFi, the app uses simple visuals. It includes suggestions where to place the WiFi and the cables to hook up. After the physical setup, the next step is giving the new WiFi network a name and password. The app also allows the subscriber to set up profiles for every member of the household and assign different gadgets the Comcast customer would connect to the network to each profile.

The Verge adds that besides the xFi app, Comcast also widened its hardware lineup with mesh WiFi pods and a new router. Comcast would roll out the WiFi pods in the later part of 2017. The pods plug into the home power sockets of customers and auto-configure to the network. It is similar to other products of Plume which Comcast collaborated with.

According to MLive, the xFi would also allow parents to control the WiFi access of their children. Parents could set curfews on the home WiFi network and pause access so they would not compete with devices for their children’s attention.