Cisco's Valet routers take a cue from Flip's design department
By Ross Miller 
posted March 31st 2010 12:01AM
posted March 31st 2010 12:01AM
Eschewing the usual CD installation key is what Cisco's calling the USB Easy Setup Key. Similar idea to the other routers, just plug in and install the software. After two clicks of the menu, it auto-located our Valet and connected to a newly-minted, protected wireless service (in this case "BusyFish") with the password saved in our keychain. Adjusting guest access and parental controls are easy enough, and nice part of the USB key is that you can write the settings onto it, letting you simply plug it into another computer and auto-load the settings. Manual controls are still available and should be fine for most readers. Nothing mind-blowing, but for the audience Cisco's targeting, it's definitely a step in the right direction. According to Cisco, availability is "immediately" and prices are $100 for Valet and $150 for Valet Plus. Press release and oodles (yes, oodles) more pictures after the break.
Cisco Introduces Valet Home Wireless Products
Breakthrough Simplicity Makes Wireless Accessible for Everyone
March 31, 2010 – Irvine, Calif., – Cisco is pairing its wireless technology leadership with Flip Video's simplicity-in-design approach to launch Valet™ -- a breakthrough new product line that makes home wireless simple and accessible for everyone. Valet is designed to transform how families use the Internet in their homes so they can enjoy the freedom of wireless access without frustration and complexity of setting up a home network.
"Valet is home wireless made easy," said Jonathan Kaplan, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco Consumer Products. "With complementary backgrounds and expertise, our Cisco and Flip teams have combined forces to change the rules for home wireless with a product line that empowers consumers to easily set up, use and manage all of their wireless devices anywhere in their home."
Untapped Home Wireless Market
While consumer demand for wireless products is on the rise with a tremendous array of new devices in the market, research from IDC1 reveals that only one-third of US homes are currently set up for wireless use. This surprisingly slow adoption of home wireless is largely due to the complexity of current offerings that are too technical for the average consumer to install and manage on their own. At the same time, the demand for wireless-enabled products – such as mobile phones, gaming systems, and music players – is extremely strong according to ABI Research data that reports more than 264 million devices shipped worldwide in 2009.
"Consumers have felt powerless and frustrated with the entire process of home wireless, but with Valet we are tearing down the walls and opening it up to everyone," added Kaplan. "The market for wireless-enabled products is exploding and now mainstream users will be able to take full advantage of all the new opportunities."
Quick Set-Up and Simple Management
Valet is the first wireless product line to make it simple for anyone to set up and manage their own home wireless network. Getting started with Valet is incredibly easy. Consumers simply insert the included USB set-up key right into their PC or Mac and the Cisco Connect software takes over. Unlike other wireless products that require 20 to 30 complicated steps to set up, Valet takes only three steps from start to finish for a single computer. The Valet set-up key retains all set-up information and can be easily inserted into additional home computers to add them to the home's wireless seamlessly.
Personalized Wireless Experience
Once set up, Valet gives consumers a simple way to manage their family's home wireless experience. The included Cisco Connect software makes it easy to: 1) add additional devices to the network, 2) set parental controls, 3) provide Internet access for guests on a separate guest network and 4) customize personal security settings such as passwords.
Valet also provides a new level of control for parents with simple tools to manage their family's online experience. Valet's Cisco Connect software lets parents easily set controls on the fly, so they can modify web usage for certain days and times of the week, or even for temporary periods. If teens are spending too much time on social networks or game systems, for example, parents can modify their wireless access so that they cannot go online after 9:00 p.m on weeknights. Internet access for each personal device connected to a Valet - from a computer, to a gaming system, to a smartphone - can be individually controlled or changed as needed for the particular child or teen, including blocking inappropriate web content.
In addition, Valet makes it easy to set up wireless access when friends or family come to visit. With a completely separate wireless connection, guests can use their laptops or mobile phones around the house, while the main Valet home network remains highly secure and private.
Price and Availability
The new Valet line is offered in two models – Valet and Valet Plus – based on the size of the home and the mix of wired and wireless devices. In addition, there is a simple Valet Connector to update older computers without built-in wireless capabilities or to upgrade to wireless-n. Valet users have access to Cisco's award-winning 24/7 phone support in the unlikely event they have a question or problem. The Valet product line is available immediately at Amazon and Staples, and soon at Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart and other leading retailers.
Valet For small to medium-sized homes with primarily wireless devices. MSRP: $99.99
Valet Plus For Medium to large homes with a mix of wireless and wired devices. MSRP: $149.99
Valet Connector Upgrades an older computer to wireless and ideal complement to Valet or Valet Plus. MSRP: $69.99
Breakthrough Simplicity Makes Wireless Accessible for Everyone
March 31, 2010 – Irvine, Calif., – Cisco is pairing its wireless technology leadership with Flip Video's simplicity-in-design approach to launch Valet™ -- a breakthrough new product line that makes home wireless simple and accessible for everyone. Valet is designed to transform how families use the Internet in their homes so they can enjoy the freedom of wireless access without frustration and complexity of setting up a home network.
"Valet is home wireless made easy," said Jonathan Kaplan, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco Consumer Products. "With complementary backgrounds and expertise, our Cisco and Flip teams have combined forces to change the rules for home wireless with a product line that empowers consumers to easily set up, use and manage all of their wireless devices anywhere in their home."
Untapped Home Wireless Market
While consumer demand for wireless products is on the rise with a tremendous array of new devices in the market, research from IDC1 reveals that only one-third of US homes are currently set up for wireless use. This surprisingly slow adoption of home wireless is largely due to the complexity of current offerings that are too technical for the average consumer to install and manage on their own. At the same time, the demand for wireless-enabled products – such as mobile phones, gaming systems, and music players – is extremely strong according to ABI Research data that reports more than 264 million devices shipped worldwide in 2009.
"Consumers have felt powerless and frustrated with the entire process of home wireless, but with Valet we are tearing down the walls and opening it up to everyone," added Kaplan. "The market for wireless-enabled products is exploding and now mainstream users will be able to take full advantage of all the new opportunities."
Quick Set-Up and Simple Management
Valet is the first wireless product line to make it simple for anyone to set up and manage their own home wireless network. Getting started with Valet is incredibly easy. Consumers simply insert the included USB set-up key right into their PC or Mac and the Cisco Connect software takes over. Unlike other wireless products that require 20 to 30 complicated steps to set up, Valet takes only three steps from start to finish for a single computer. The Valet set-up key retains all set-up information and can be easily inserted into additional home computers to add them to the home's wireless seamlessly.
Personalized Wireless Experience
Once set up, Valet gives consumers a simple way to manage their family's home wireless experience. The included Cisco Connect software makes it easy to: 1) add additional devices to the network, 2) set parental controls, 3) provide Internet access for guests on a separate guest network and 4) customize personal security settings such as passwords.
Valet also provides a new level of control for parents with simple tools to manage their family's online experience. Valet's Cisco Connect software lets parents easily set controls on the fly, so they can modify web usage for certain days and times of the week, or even for temporary periods. If teens are spending too much time on social networks or game systems, for example, parents can modify their wireless access so that they cannot go online after 9:00 p.m on weeknights. Internet access for each personal device connected to a Valet - from a computer, to a gaming system, to a smartphone - can be individually controlled or changed as needed for the particular child or teen, including blocking inappropriate web content.
In addition, Valet makes it easy to set up wireless access when friends or family come to visit. With a completely separate wireless connection, guests can use their laptops or mobile phones around the house, while the main Valet home network remains highly secure and private.
Price and Availability
The new Valet line is offered in two models – Valet and Valet Plus – based on the size of the home and the mix of wired and wireless devices. In addition, there is a simple Valet Connector to update older computers without built-in wireless capabilities or to upgrade to wireless-n. Valet users have access to Cisco's award-winning 24/7 phone support in the unlikely event they have a question or problem. The Valet product line is available immediately at Amazon and Staples, and soon at Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart and other leading retailers.
Valet For small to medium-sized homes with primarily wireless devices. MSRP: $99.99
Valet Plus For Medium to large homes with a mix of wireless and wired devices. MSRP: $149.99
Valet Connector Upgrades an older computer to wireless and ideal complement to Valet or Valet Plus. MSRP: $69.99
Not bad all I care about is the price and the wifi n
@cocopuffs for one, its not cordless, and two, its TOO big.
@emopoops I could find room for that but I have to admit it doesn't have the best specs ever but haul it's wifi n and some what stylish even tho the stylish thing should be last on my reason to buy something like this
Lol I'm not like an ipad lover I rather have good specs and software rather than just looks
@cocopuffs
Some people need, 2.4/5GHz Wi-F N with gigaports and USB print sharing...but for this price, its not bad..
@cocopuffs
What's it with all Cisco articles? Is it becoming the new Apple for engadget?
@DamnYourUgly
Well i prefer Cisco than Apple :P So i don't mind.
Btw this is a nice little router. I wonder what kind of configurations you are able to do with from the GUI provided ;)
@cocopuffs
Those Router Case's are fail. They heat up so much they lock up. the vent holes are all on the bottom of the device. I have a 310n and i have to reset it once a week.
Why?
So is the Linksys brand officially gone or is this a new branch?
@DavidT nahh, this is just an easy alternative to the regular routers that are "to difficult" to set up. This product really should have no intrest to anyone reading this site really. Staples started selling them like 3 days ago
looks like my wrt120n with a color change, and not a good one at that. and can anybody suggest a good wireless n router that doesnt drop signal randomly like the aforementioned linksys?
@keeb
Got a good deal a few weeks ago on a Rosewill a/g/n 2.4Ghz RNX-EasyN4 for $30 on NewEgg. I think it went back up in price recently, however, except now you get a "free" wireless adapter bonus, so I guess it's still basically the same.
Decent range with dual antennas, and enough options for most people. Plus I think it's DD-WRT compatible, but I still haven't figured out how to flash it properly yet.
@keeb You can blame the case design for that. The casing overheats like an EZ Bake oven because it doesn't permit enough airflow over the heatsinks. Every single router in their lineup that uses this design has this problem, from their cheapo 60 dollar Wireless-G jobbies, all the way up to the Dual Band N + Gigabit port-packing 200 dollar flagship line, yet they won't abandon the damn thing for whatever reason.
asus rt-n16 with tomato
who would buy a router on looks and not specs ?
@smeee did, but when other people are buying with you and are pushing the cheapest thing on you, what can you do.
Why do routers have to be so big? It's 2010 guys.
@IcerC i agree! like they should start selling the teeny tiny ones for less than that because it takes up less plastic or whatever its made of. also. they should be no larger than a car key
@IcerC
Personally, I wish it was bigger. I want some range/power. This thing needs 3 antennas sticking out the back of it. I'm tired of all this internal crap. At least give me some spots to hook one up to
@EGOvoruhk I agree. It seems with N, they are not giving any options, unlike on the classic WRT54-G routers (you can still get a WRT54GL) you can hook up some honking huge antennas.
Why bother selling a router these days that doesn't offer GigE ports? The Valet is a complete waste. And the price on both of these sucks, there's no reason to be paying over $100 for a wireless-N SOHO router with GigE.
@dkratter14 why bother selling these if they dont have the display built in, i mean cmon
@emopoops what?
@dkratter14 d00d. the display isnt built in. it has a display whatever on your computer. it should have a display screen on the device.
Meh. Linksys's have looked like this for so long.
@MrAffrox
Yes as usual the well informed tech heads at Engadget just reprint the press release, Linksys have had this design for at least a year just not in the nasty pastel colours.
Install software for a router? Why? That's what the web interface is for.
@Tammacho umm, either you're joking, or destined for a tea party near you. How do you get on the web with a router that's not set up?
@unwired
you connect to your router from your desktop/laptop via wired or wireless (if there is a default wireless network with your router)
then,
open up a web browser, and go to their setup interface page
(192.168.0.1 - dlink default; 192.168.1.1 - linksys default)
@unwired you're the one joking right, the web interfarce is for advance configuration no internet required, just enter the router ip
@unwired
I believe Tammacho is referring to using a web browser to access the router's config. If he/she is, then you don't need an internet connection to do so. Many devices with IP addresses work like this. My modem, router, ip cameras, and raid card all can be accessed via a web browser regardless of an internet connection as long as they are on the same physical network as my computer.
@Tammacho @needmoregigs @jaysim44 @needmoregigs
Apologies to all, I wasn't entirely clear, I should have said 'web interface'. The purpose of Valet is to make it simple. You still need some kind of networking knowledge to connect to the router via web interface. For non-techies, unless your IP address is in 192.168.1.0 network, you're screwed.
Now, drag me back up from oblivion :)
YepYepYep, I like. Esp. the whole USB set-up deal.
Personally, I like to keep my routers OUT OF sight...
this looks just like my Linksys it's just lite Blue!
Does this support HDDs/Flash/Printers on the USB port?
No 5Ghz no go. 2.4 is extremely crowded in my neighborhood. I can't even use a standard wireless mouse. I guess if you are the person overpaying for this, you won't know the difference anyway...
Cisco stuff sucks. Which market are they after? Home or SMB? Styling says home, pricing means SMB.
hmm, is it me or is that not a "new design", its just a linksys case sprayed gray and blue, just like the ones linksys have been pumping out for well over a year.
Didn't Cisco learn from Apple that stealing their Airport idea for desktop based management hasn't been a good idea? At least, it hasn't been for Apple since hardly anybody buys them over a clean web based routers. I know I won't buy anything like this without at least web or ssh interfaces. I shouldn't have to install anything to control my network. And by the way, WPS buttons are easy enough for people even though WPA/WPA2 is already painfully easy compared to WEP. I guess the value in this idea is the USB slot on the back so long as the chips are supported to load it up with dd-wrt?
From the article it seems Cisco is going after the Belkin crowd.
I wonder how much the Geek Squad will charge for installing this and what their sales pitch is going to be.
10/100 Ethernet ports? People STILL use that??
dear Cisco, when will you learn that it's not the ease of setup that's keeping consumers away, but the ease of use. your firmware is pure shit on most of your products which is why so many get returned and refurbished (and then flashed with DD-WRT).
fix your firmware and drop the price. hell, just load DD-WRT on from the beginning.
Tomato is where it's at. Too bad only the WRT-54G pre version 4 or WRT-54GL can use it (I have one of each).
The concept of an install CD is RIDICULOUS. Web based interfaces should be used. It is not hard to configure the WPA or WEP keys and the like, it's all in the web interface. It's sad that Americans don't know this stuff by now, as we've had cable in most places, for what, 8 years now? Plus, if someone doesn't know how to configure WEP or WPA, RTFM.
This is only going to make network configuration MORE complicated, as at some point you have to retrieve the actual key anyways, as not all devices are going to be using Windows or Mac OS. The iPod Touch and Wii have to get on the network too, and they won't be able to use the configuration software.
Yeah design is nice, but baby blue?
I'll stick with my WRT54GL. Sure it doesn't have N, but the thing hasn't had to be rebooted since I bought *4* years ago and w/ Tomato on it, it's one of the most robust routers you can buy on the consumer level.
I've convinced at least 10 people to buy one (over the 20 dollar special at Fry's) and put Tomato on it and they never have problems.
Cisco, give us a WRT54*N*L model I can put Tomato firmware on and then we'll talk upgrades.
According to Cisco, the Internet looks like Saturn.
Definitely not buying a router without detachable antennas. D-Link DIR-655 is a beasty..so good.
Anyway, these popped into the BBY in Midtown today along with Belkin's new Surf, Share, and Play routers.
Looks like their linksys device. So is this thing cisco quality or linksys quality. The latter, I'll pass.