I backed a Kickstarter campaign. And it paid off, which is to say that I eventually received an actual product in the mail. Here it is, ladies and gentlemen: the Almond+ wifi router. (Pics inside.)
On March 8, 2013, I supported a Kickstarter project for a new WiFi router, the Almond+ from Securifi.
On August 27, 2014, it arrived. I wasn’t frustrated by the delay, mostly because they took all that time in order to update the device’s internal tech.
They added USB 3.0, integrated the latest (and most future-proof) version of WiFi, and they also added the latest hardware for the most popular and flexible specifications of “smart-home” device management (Zigbee and Z‑Wave, the latter utilizing the new fifth-gen “Z‑Wave Plus” spec). As far as I’m concerned, if you’re going to be late with a product because you’re making sure it has the latest-and-greatest tech, your customers should be appreciative. (As one of those customers, I much prefer this over receiving the product eight months ago but packed with already-obsolete hardware.)
As for the Almond+ itself…
I wish I could say it’s awesome. It’s not… yet. But it could be. Its firmware still needs a lot of work — there are promised features that simply aren’t functional — but that was expected, since I elected to get the thing as an early release. Furthermore, Securifi has been very transparent with Kickstarter backers about what they’re working on, when they expect to have certain features ready, and in what directions their development team is pointed. (And they’ve shown some willingness to make adjustments to their plans based on feedback.)
All-in-all, the thing has a ton of potential. The features that are fully operational (or close to it) work very well. The 802.11ac WiFi is fast, robust, and has great range, for example. Also: the visual interface, both on the device’s screen and on the web-based management tool, is intuitive, attractive, and highly functional.
I might write up a full review when I’ve had a chance to play some more (and if I have something of value to say about it), but in the meantime, here are the unboxing pics. (Click the thumbnails for full view.)
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The Almond+ came in a cardboard box with branded Securifi shipping tape (nice touch).
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Inside the cardboard exterior/shipping box was the shrinkwrapped Almond+ package and a note to Kickstarter backers.
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The Almond+ came shrink-wrapped in its bright yellow product packaging.
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Um… Not yet available on the App Store.
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Once the shrinkwrap and top box are off, you’re face to face with the device.
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It isn’t anything special, but the Almond+ comes nicely packaged in yellow cardboard. Like a lot of good packaging designs these days, the product itself is the first thing you see when you lift off the top of the box.
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The Almond+ name looks subtle and sophisticated on the front of the device. (The Securifi company logo is on the back, where it’s basically out of sight.)
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The Almond+ name looks subtle and sophisticated on the front of the device. (The Securifi company logo is on the back, where it’s basically out of sight.)
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On the back, the Almond+ has lots of ventilation grills, the two mounting points, and the recessed power, WAN, LAN, and USB 3.0 ports.
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This is the back of the Almond+, with its recessed ports visible. As you can see (from right), it has the DC power port (for the enclosed power brick and it’s cord), one gigabit WAN port, four gigabit LAN ports, and two USB 3.0 ports. (Simple. But what else do you need?)
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This desktop “foot” snaps into the mounting holes on the back of the device and allows it stay stable in an upright position. (It has a rubbery/foam bottom that gives it added stability on most surfaces, even while a user is tapping away at it.)
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This plate makes it easer to mount the Almond+ to the wall. Presumably, you attach the plate to the wall (using screws through the round holes), and then pop the device onto the bracket (which attaches via the raised plastic tabs on each side).
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That’s what’s in the box: the Almond+, the two mounts, an ethernet cable, a power adapter, and a little baggie with two extra “feet.” (There’s also a printed quick start guide, not pictured.)
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The Almond+‘s power brick. It’s big, and for a device that’s meant to be wall-mounted, I wish they’d used something a little more conducive to wire-hiding techniques.
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The Almond+ comes with two stickable rubber feet, which you can use if you’re laying it flat, or two replace any of the feet that come already-installed on the device.
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The flat ‘gigabit ethernet’ cable that comes with the Almond+.
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The flat ‘gigabit ethernet’ cable that comes with the Almond+.
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This is one of the first screens you see (it’s actually the third) after powering the device on.