HERE'S WHAT WiFi CONNECTIVITY CAN DO FOR YOU:

WHAT IS WiFi?

WiFi is a technology that not only enables you to get on to the internet wirelessly, but also allows you to communicate with WiFi enabled devices (see below). The current WiFi standard is WiFi 6. Do not confuse WiFi with Bluetooth, the main difference being that usually Bluetooth (and Z-wave and Zigbee) only connects one device to another and has a shorter range, e.g. your smartphone to your car speakers. In order to get on to the internet wirelssly at home you'll need a MODEM, either purchased by you or rented from your internet service provider (ISP), connected to a WIRELESS ROUTER. Some ISPs provide you with a combination modem/wireless router. Next you'll name your network (the SSID) and give it a password, also known as a WEP. You now have what's known as a Wireless Local Area Network, or WLAN.

The signal pattern from a wireless router is in the shape of a donut, with the router at the center of the donut hole. For this reason, it's always preferable to have your router placed in the center of your home in order to provide the maximum WiFi coverage. Problems arise when the router can only be connected, say, down in the basement or at one corner of the house. To improve your WiFi coverage in these cases, here's what you should do.

Either connect a Wireless Access Point (WAP) or a Mesh Network (MN) to your existing system (don't waste your money on "WiFi extenders", they don't work). WAPs require a hard wired ethernet cable, MNs do not. There are dozens of brands, but the ones that we have found that work the best are Ubiquiti or Luxul WAPs and AmpliFi or Orbi by Netgear mesh networks. Remember to disable the router function on either the mesh network router or, if you already have a router built into your modem, then disable its function.

Networks don't like having two routers because a routers function is to provide each device in the network with a unique IP Address, so multiple routers will both try to do this, and chaos ensues!

A word about internet speed, measured in Megabits per second - Mbps. More Mbps does NOT mean a stronger WiFi signal, the two are mutually exclusive. The only advantages to a faster speed is that content will take less time to download and you can have more wireless devices on your network. A typical household should be fine with 500 to 1000 Mbps (a "Gig"), although bear in mind that mutiple devices will slow down the speed.

You'll need a strong WiFi signal in order for the following devices to perform flawlessly:

VOICE CONTROLLED DEVICE (VCD):
WiFi connected VCDs allow you to control the various functions of a device just by speaking to it. Ask it to play music, tell you the latest weather forecast or last night's sports scores. You can even tell it to control your other WiFi devices - "Alexa, lock the front door and turn on the porch light". There are no monthly charges, other than the music service providers you use (Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.).
Recommendations: SONOS, AMAZON ECHO or GOOGLE HOME.

SMART TVS:
WiFi enabled "Smart" TVs have the ability to go online and stream shows from NETFLIX, AMAZON, HULU, etc. All you have to do is connect your TV to the internet in order to do this.

Recommendations: Samsung, Sony or LG.

STREAMERS:
WiFi content streaming devices allow you to watch services like Netflix on older "Dumb" TVs. Some combine an off-air antenna, allowing you to "cut the cord" from your cable or satellite company. Others allow you to "mirror" what's showing on you smartphone or tablet on your TV (see Mirroring below).

Recommendations: AppleTV, Roku, and Google Chromecast. I do not like Amazon's Firestick - there are too many ads on its home page.

MUSIC:

WiFi music streaming devices allow you to wirelessly connect your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer to them and play music through your (or their) speakers. There are no monthly charges, other than the music service providers you use (Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.).

Recommendations: SONOS is by far the best.

CAMERAS:

WiFi network cameras allow you to see what's happening live on your smartphone, so check up on the kids, look in on the warehouse or keep an eye on your vacation home. Some brands charge a monthly fee to have the image recorded. Google Nest and RING have a floodlight/camera combination unit.

Recommendations: Google NEST or RING.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL and SMOKE DETECTORS:

WiFi thermostats allow you to change the temperature of your home from your smartphone. Heat or cool your house while on the way home, or adjust the temperature of your vacation home before you arrive. WiFi smoke detectors will alert you if there is a fire.

Recommendations: Google NEST or HONEYWELL.

LIGHTING:

Never come home to a dark house again. Remotely turn lights on or off, have them come on at specific times, raise or lower the brightness or

create your own lighting "scenes".

Recommendations: LUTRON.

DRAPES and SHADES:

You're at the office and suddenly remember that the afternoon sun is beating down on your living room furniture. Don't sweat, simply close them from your smartphone app.

Recommendations: LUTRON.

DOOR LOCKS:

Kids locked out? No problem, simply unlock your door remotely with your smartphone. Have a vacation home? Let the plumber in remotely.

Some brands require a Z Wave adapter.

Recommendations: SCHLAGE or KWIKSET.

DOORBELLS:

WiFi doorbells allow you to see, hear and talk to the person standing at your front or back door using your smartphone.

Recommendations: RING or SKYBELL.

SMOKE DETECTORS:

These will notify you if there's trouble via a smartphone alert.

Recommendations: NEST.

GARAGE DOORS:

Did you remember to close the garage door when you left home this morning? This app will let you know so that you can close it (or open it to let the maid in) remotely.

Recommendations: CHAMBERLAIN.

MIRRORING:

This allows you to send, also called "push" or "cast" whatever's showing on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer screen wirelessly to your TV.

Recommendations: AppleTV, Roku or Google's CHROMECAST.

AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT:

Most major manufacturers have apps that allow you to control their equipment from your smartphone. The apps from the satellite and cable companies even allow you to record a show at home no matter where you happen to be.

Recommendations: Use the manufacturers' own apps, not third party ones.

NOTES:
I've recommended the brands that we've used that have performed well. However, there are dozens of brands on the market at various price points that perform just as well, with more coming. Also, there are a variety of uses for WiFi devices that I have not covered here and more are being dreamed up daily.

REMEMBER - If your devices work intermittently or don't work at all, it's most likely that your WiFi signal isn't strong enough.

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HERE'S WHAT WiFi CONNECTIVITY CAN DO FOR YOU: