Skip to main content

Wi-Fi HaLow is a new long-range, low-power wireless standard meant for smart home devices

wi fi halow is a new long range low power wireless standard meant for smart homes devices 35 million home dinning room
Sotheby's
The Wi-Fi Alliance, the certification group behind the networking standards to which computer, router, smartphone makers, and more adhere, has approved a new type of low-power, long-range wireless, bound for smart home devices.

Colloquially referred to as “HaLow” and defined as an extension of the upcoming 802.11ah standard, the new wireless operates on the unlicensed 900MHz band. Theoretically, it can cover an area twice as large as the 2.4GHz networks you’ve likely got at home, and can more easily penetrate thick and layered walls. Perhaps most significantly, HaLow uses dramatically less power than conventional Wi-Fi — an important trait for connected thermostats, motion sensors, and locks that depend on compact batteries for power.

Related Videos

HaLow’s low power requirements are thanks to the way it operates. It doesn’t transfer data quickly, instead sending data in periodic, concentrated bursts. (Device makers can up the speed and frequency of transfer, but at the cost of battery). HaLow’s comparative efficiency has the Wi-Fi Alliance envisioning use cases far beyond smart home appliances and security cameras. Eventually, the alliance sees the new wireless spec supplanting, or at least complementing, Bluetooth in wearables such as fitness trackers and smartwatches.

“HaLow [could play] a large role in the [Internet of Things],” Wi-Fi Alliance marketing chief Kevin Robinson told The Verge. “HaLow will provide similar characteristics in terms to [sic] battery life to technologies that are out there today.”

HaLow’s rollout will likely be prolonged — the Wi-Fi Alliance won’t begin certifying HaLow products until sometime in 2018 — but when products do begin to hit store shelves, most will be tri-band, leveraging the newly designated 900MHz spectrum but retaining support for existing 2.5GHz and 5GHz access points. But compatibility’s a one-way street — laptops and smartphones with current-generation networking chips won’t interface.

Despite what’s likely to be a slow rollout and the need for updated chips, Wi-Fi Alliance CEO Edgar Figueroa’s convinced HaLow, just like the many wireless standards that the consortium’s approved before it, will one day reach ubiquity. “HaLow is well suited to meet the unique needs of the smart home, smart city, and industrial markets,” he said in a statement. “HaLow expands the unmatched versatility of Wi-Fi to enable applications from small devices to large-scale industrial facility deployments and everything in between.”

Editors' Recommendations

How to use Amazon’s Alexa app on your smartphone
amazon-alexa-on-android feature image

Amazon Alexa is one of the most popular smart assistants available. With support for a wide range of devices and the ability to check the news, give a quick update on your favorite sports team, or perform hundreds of other tasks, it's an incredibly useful piece of software. But it’s the support for smart home products that really makes Alexa compelling, as it can quickly send commands to most devices and gives you remote access to all your gadgets.

Here, we take a look at how to use the Alexa app on any smartphone, along with tips on how to make the most of all its features.
How to configure Alexa on Android or iPhone

Read more
Forget Philips Hue: Get a TP-Link smart bulb bundle for $40 today
tp link color changing smart bulb 2

A smart bulb is a great way to easily set the mood in any room. Unfortunately, they usually cost more money than you'd ever consider spending on a lightbulb, even with discounts like Philip Hue deals. We have an alternative to propose: The TP-Link Kasa A19 smart bulb. You can get a pack of five for only $40 at Best Buy right now. That's enough to cover a few rooms with fun ambient light. Check out more things you can do with them below.

Why you should buy the TP-Link Kasa A19 smart bulb bundle
The TP-Link Kasa A19 smart bulb is easy to set up -- you just have to insert them into your bulb socket and connect it directly to your home's Wi-Fi network, with no extra equipment needed. Once that's done, you'll just have to follow the instructions on the Kasa Smart app, which you'll also be using to control the smart bulb, including selecting your choice among 16 million colors and dimming its brightness to create the perfect atmosphere. Since you'll be operating the smart bulb through the app, you'll be able to make the changes from wherever you are, even when you're miles away from your home.

Read more
Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount vs. Wyze Cam Pan v3: which is best?
is the blink mini pan tilt mount worth it wyze

When it comes to affordable indoor cameras, the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount and the Wyze Cam Pan v3 are at the top of the class. Both offer high-quality footage, along with a bevy of other useful features that make them stand out in a crowded market. The Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount is a bit more expensive (it costs $60, compared to $34 for the Wyze Pan v3), but which one is better for your smart home? Here’s a comprehensive look at the Wyze Pan v3 and Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount to help you decide.
Video quality

Both the Wyze Pan v3 and Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount capture 1080p footage. They also both work in the dark, with Blink featuring infrared night vision and Wyze using color night vision, which allows them to function around the clock. Both look great when viewed on your smartphone, and it’s hard to go wrong with either if you’re worried about video quality.

Read more