I switched internet providers last week, from telephone company DSL to faster cable internet service, so Walmart sent this item for me to review and give an honest evaluation with perfect timing. I am usually a fan of TP-Link products, but this item disappointed me mainly because you must use their app on your cellphone or tablet. With most Wi-Fi routers you can open your web browser on your computer and enter an IP address to set things up and make changes. That is not possible with this item. Before downloading the TP-Link DECO app from Google, I tried the usual router 192.168.x.x IP addresses on my computer and it would not work. I also plugged an Ethernet cable into the router, tried again, and nothing would work. I then tried accessing tplinkwifi.net but it did not work either. I called and spoke with TP-Link customer service who confirmed that you must use their app. So, I downloaded the TP-Link DECO app to my Android 5.1 smartphone. Most folks will probably love this, but I would have rather used a computer. You must grant app version 1.8.5 permission to access the following:
Location
• approximate location (network-based)
• precise location (GPS and network-based)
Photos/Media/Files
• modify or delete the contents of your SD card
• read the contents of your SD card
Camera
• take pictures and videos
Wi-Fi connection information
• view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information
• read phone status and identity
Wearable sensors/activity data
• body sensors (like heart rate monitors)
Other
• allow Wi-Fi Multicast reception
• prevent phone from sleeping
• connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
• control vibration
• view network connections
• full network access
• pair with Bluetooth devices
It also states that updates to TP-Link DECO may automatically add additional capabilities within each group. After opening the app, I was required to give my email address and a password for their TP-Link cloud service. Next, you are asked to create a network name and password. The rest of the setup was very simple to understand and follow. Just tell TP-Link how many levels your house has and what rooms you are placing the devices in and you are done. The first thing the app did was update the firmware in both units. While exploring the app, I went into the router settings and clicked on the Wi-Fi button and my new network name. I then hid my network name from broadcasting to my neighbors. Allowing unknown strangers around the world to have full access to my cellphone and home network is okay though. You can also setup a guest network, but I already feel like I did that with all of the apps permissions. You can also blacklist people you do not want on your network, but I gave the app full permission to spy on me by taking pictures and videos. If you want to control your children's access while they are on your wireless network there are a lot of controls that are easy to setup. You can filter content, limit time spent online and check internet history. You just need to setup profiles of your family members for TP-Link first. The app also has QoS to designate which devices and traffic on the network take priority. The app will also record and generate reports about which family member and devices has been on the network and for how long. It will also keep track of which websites you have visited and how long you were on those sites. You can also easily share your router settings with others, but I feel like I have already done that. The hardware works good. I have a consistent, seamless Wi-Fi connection throughout my entire two-story house. I have not experienced any issues. The units look good also resembling a large white candle while sitting on my fireplace mantel or shelf. Unlike a traditional wireless router, these units only have two ports and no USB slots. If you are okay with allowing apps to have permission to everything then this product is an easy Wi-Fi solution. You just plug it in, download the app and do what it tells you.