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Neither the iHome smart plug, the Wemo Mini, or any other smart plug that I have seen will work.
Neither the iHome smart plug, the Wemo Mini, or any other smart plug that I have seen will work with my new Orbi because it does not have a separate 2.1 GHz Wireless Network. Conversely the smart pl...
tbh, I don't think the OP has an actual operational problem, just a misunderstanding of the technologies involved compounded with bad information ostensibly coming from product vendors.
That having been said - 2.4GHz-only WeMo works perfect fine with Orbi. I have a mini switch, three smart switches, a light switch, a humidifier, and a crock pot all using WeMo flawlessly on my Orbi network.
Let's please not let FUD enter into this - regardless of what level 1 support told you, WeMo has zero issues with Orbi.
Rodney
Thank you for your response. But I beg to differ. I have confirmed with Tech Support reps for the iHome iSP5 and Belkin WEMO Mini that their smart plugs only work with a 2.4 GHz Wireless Network. Those devices (and other smart plugs that I have researched) will only connect to 2.4 networks. The WiFi Network that Orbi creates is not 2.4 HHz, It is a combination of 2.4 and 5 GHz.
MelB wrote:Thank you for your response. But I beg to differ. I have confirmed with Tech Support reps for the iHome iSP5 and Belkin WEMO Mini that their smart plugs only work with a 2.4 GHz Wireless Network. Those devices (and other smart plugs that I have researched) will only connect to 2.4 networks. The WiFi Network that Orbi creates is not 2.4 HHz, It is a combination of 2.4 and 5 GHz.
It might be true that the iHome and Belkin products do not work with Orbi. However, this would be due to poor product design of these products, not a problem with Orbi. It is more likely that your tech support reps are misinformed and have given you bad information.
I currently have several devices connected to my Orbi that are capable of only 2.4 GHz operation. So, it is definitely possible.
Also, there isn't really such a thing as a combination of 2.4 and 5 G networks. If your device has only a 2.4 GHz radio, then it will only see the 2.4 GHz transmissions from Orbi. Because the device has no 5 GHz radio, it has no way of knowing Orbi has 5 GHz operation!