Amazon buys mesh Wi-Fi router maker Eero

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eero
Eero monitors things like network throughput and interference, adjusting itself automatically.
Photo: Leander Kahney / Cult of Mac

Right when Apple has decided to get out of the router business, one of its biggest competitors is ready to jump in.

Amazon revealed today that it reached an agreement to acquire mesh Wi-Fi router maker Eero, giving the online retailer another powerful tool in its effort to dominate the smart home market.

Eero uses a system of mesh-connected routers that blanket a house in Wi-Fi. Its mesh networks promise to eliminate dead spots and offer blazing-fast speeds from the basement to the attic. We’ve been big fans of Eero since its debut. There was even hopes among Apple fans that the company would come out with its own version of mesh-network routers, or even buy Eero. Alas, it looks like Amazon was more keen to the idea.

Amazon scoops up Eero

“We are incredibly impressed with the Eero team and how quickly they invented a WiFi solution that makes connected devices just work,” said Dave Limp, SVP of Amazon Devices and Services. “We have a shared vision that the smart home experience can get even easier, and we’re committed to continue innovating on behalf of customers.”

Amazon didn’t disclose how much it paid for Eero. The merger is expected to be completed by the first half of 2019. Eero raised about $90 million in funding before the acquisition.

It’s unclear if Amazon plans to continue using the Eero brand, or if it will integrate the company’s tech into its own solutions. Amazon’s lineup of Alexa-powered speakers and other devices are some of the most popular smart home products on the market.

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