Today marks the launch of Luma, a "surround Wi-Fi" system for the home that allows you to control Internet usage, set parental controls, and monitor all the devices connected to your network.
Luma (also the name of the new company behind the product) is a small hexagonal device that provides total network coverage through your home, aiming to replace more antiquated routers. Luma solves connection consistency or dead zone issues in your home by allowing you to place and link multiple Luma devices throughout your living space to provide adequate Wi-Fi in every room.
An accompanying app for iOS and Android is at the heart of Luma; use it to monitor and control any device on the network. You can set parental controls on a per-device basis with a slider that uses the traditional PG-rating scale, set time limits on Internet use, block any foreign devices from using your network, and see what sites are being accessed on which devices, all from the app. You can even pause the Internet entirely, while setting up guests can be configured with a tap; no passwords needed.
Luma can be purchased individually for $199 per device, or in a three pack for $499, though for the next 30 days, Luma is offering an early bird price of $99 per device and $249 for three. Pre-order now via LumaHome.com; shipping begins in the U.S. in early 2016. It will also be available on Amazon, as part of its Launchpad program.
Earlier today, we saw the debut of Circle with Disney, a $99 device intended to help parents regulate how much time kids spend on their gadgets.