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Working a home revolution with Velop

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8 years ago

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Velop, a Whole Home Wi-Fi product from Linkys, is anticipated to be a significant milestone for the consumer networking leader.

Linksys is unveiling Velop, a Whole Home Wi-Fi product in the Middle East this month and this is anticipated to be a significant milestone for the consumer networking leader.

Velop, a Tri-Band modular Wi-Fi system that can be installed in various mesh configurations providing fast and reliable Wi-Fi to the edge of a home network, was unveiled first at CES this year. Each Velop “node” is a powerful Tri-Band AC2200 device that serves as router, range extender, access point, and bridge and as part of a single Mesh network promises to enhance connectivity for home users who are constrained by limitations of current network technologies.

Amanulla Khan, Managing Director, Linksys, Middle East, Turkey & Africa opines that says that while it is an era of connected devices, consumers haven’t invested in best network performances. He believes that Velop offers consumers a great opportunity to enhance their connected experience

He says, “Today, everyone’s aware that there is an explosion of connected devices. We have been hearing of this, mostly as part of boardroom level discussions but increasingly moving into SMB and consumer level as well. It is in fact a living room discussion. Everyone wants to stay connected and more importantly, they have a stake in it. People do not still understand that while they may have the best of devices and highest bandwidth subscription you can afford, they do still need a great wireless network at home to enable all of these experiences. That is where the focus has to be and the message has to go out.”

He adds that on an average, a consumer maybe spending about 6000 AED on an average towards broadband subscription. Consumers maybe spending a similar amount on connected devices within a family within that time frame. In a three year time frame, they may be probably spending as much as 30,000 AED on connected devices and broadband subscription. However, they may not be willing to spend 2000 AED on a network that will enable all of those experiences with the devices and the network, which therefore needs a change of mindset.

Velop is expected to solve those limitations which come with the Router and range extenders or dual-band modular mesh systems, where the Wi-Fi speed is cut in half with each “hop” from one access point to the next. This is the next level of a seamless WiFi experience envisioned by Linksys.

Amanulla says, “With the smart devices coming in, people started asking for WiFi connectivity coverage as they started moving away from the living room, to the balconies, terraces, bedrooms, gardens etc. that is when Range extenders came in that gave coverage. However, they had limitations. Over time, consumer habits evolved including multiple streaming of high definition videos on multiple devices at the same time. They started demanding for better WiFi experience. However, existing router and range extender combinations had limitations as they may extend the range but they didn’t envelop your home, resulting in many dead spots. It doesn’t give a seamless network experience because there are multiple networks with multiple SSIDs; you need to have different usernames and password to connect.”

Further, he adds that there is the sticky client issue because your device connects to the first proximity network; at homes this could be the router network in the living room but as you move away, into the bedroom for instance, you want to connect to the range extender network but you device is still connected to the original network that is still giving off a weak signal. So your device stays connected to the weak network unless the signal is lost and then gets connected to the range extender network.
Bottleneck effect, real time interruptions, channel interference are among the challenges.

Amanulla opines, “So your network speed could be 100 mbps- network from router- you get 80-90 mbps. The moment your range extended gets connected, it drops your network by 50%. If you have a second range extender, then it drops further by 50%. This is an inherent bottleneck. Throughput drops by 50%. Real time interruption is another challenge because as the use moves away from the router network, the performance drops as the signal weakens and then finally breaks and then gets connected to the network from the range extender. In the time between these two events, there is a performance breakdown of connectivity. Channel interference is also an issue because of the multiple networks in use which reduces the WiFi connectivity. Finally, multiple products means need for multiple ways of managing all these devices.”

There is a shift in consumer expectations now as they want the WiFi experience to be reliable and seamless across their home.
“What we bring in today is a whole Home WiFi experience. It address each of these problems I have discussed in a current set-up. It gives you coverage; envelops your home with WiFI and gives you performance edge to edge. So if you have subscribed to 100 mbps, you will be getting exactly that in every nook and corner of your home and on every device and application you use.

According to Linksys, the Whole Home WiFi market is the category that is looking the brightest. Whole home WiFi is the next big thing in consumer networking market.

He says, “This is growing by 130 % or more. We believe this will be a 200 million USD opportunity by 2018. Every other category is declining or staying flat. Gateways are declining; Range extenders are more or less flat.”

Linksys is targeting connected families, typically with four members. According to the company’s perspective, connected families are typically heavy on network usage but not very tech savvy; they are not buying products or feature, rather are buying the experience. They however have more connected devices.

“They want ease of set-up; they don’t even want to face the hassle of remembering the passwords. A majority are using older wireless networks and may have not migrated even to wireless AC. These are people we are targeting. The connected family segment is a contrast to the prosumer segment who form about 10% of our customer base. The prosumers may own the ugliest of routers but they will tailor their performance according to their requirements. For connected families, WiFi is the second most important thing after food, according consumer research. They want seamless experience with WiFi. They want one network experience which reliable throughout the home,” says Amanulla.

They need a product whose look and feel which is sleek and good to flaunt. They want performance and reliability which is most important; they want ease of use with some good features at preferably no additional cost. Linksys believes they are responding to all these customer expectations with Velop.

“Our company DNA is consumer focus. We do a lot of consumer research and understanding the consumer pain point and then invest in a technology that addresses all those pain points. We have focused on reliability, seamless, ease of use and great design. Velop comes in a tower design that fits in smoothly into any home environment. It takes 88% les footprint than the average router. It has a groove which will manage the cables without them running around. The power adaptor also merges with the overall design,” says Amanulla.

He further elaborates that Velop brings intelligence and power. It is triband and one of the bands is dedicated for backhaul and has got dynamic frequency selection. Velop decides the best band your devices should get connected to at any given point within your network for enabling the best performance. The intelligence is built into the devices and take away the consumer’s hassle of having to decide. It has a built-in algorithm to decide that.
“Velop also decides the best path to connect to the network. It has a technology to help you decide where you need to install the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Velop nodes. All these nodes work as a single network; it is a mesh network. It also decides the best way of coming back to the internet, to complete the network.”

Velop is available in 3-pack, 2-pack and 1-pack options.
“You can start with one node as a standalone device. You need more nodes for a bigger home. An average home here may take up to three nodes. In a typical US environment, we have tested a node’s range for up to 2000 sq ft coverage; so with 3 nodes, you get 6000 sq.ft coverage in an ideal environment. We recommend upto 10 nodes in a single mesh network which gives you upto 20000 sq.ft coverage in an ideal environment,” says Amanulla.

The nodes have intelligence built in – If you terminate the service provider cable into a node, then the node configures itself as a router. If it connects behind a router, then it know it doesn’t need to configure in a router mode or you are trying to expand the network- so it expands your network. You will communicate with Velop via the Linksys app on Bluetooth. The Linksys app (formally known as the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app) is completely redesigned and includes an innovative app-led setup process for Velop. The entire setup flow happens within the app and uses Bluetooth to securely communicate between the mobile device and the nodes.

One of the tribands is dedicated for backhaul which guarantees performance and two are for connecting your devices. It is also intelligent to go with a wired environment. If you use a cable to connect the node, then it will use the cable for backhaul and then you can use all three bands for your devices.

According to Amanullah, it is intelligent to decide the best network topology for a given environment- it can work in a star, tree, mesh, a daisy chain and a wired topology. Most mesh networks arguably can work only in star topology where there is a main unit while in most instance, the router in the home is not at the centre which is why you need a daisy chain.
Linksys is offering three years warranty and three years tech support with Velop. It has 3 step simple set-up process. It is integrated with Alexa voice support; today it has limited features but more are expected to be added soon.
Amanulla believes that the Velop Whole Home WiFi network family will help expand the home networking market as more consumers will feel the confidence to upgrade their network and take advantage of the technology.
He adds, “We believe there will a lot of new consumers coming on board with Velop. More people will be comfortable with replacing their old networks. While we have always fort to market with new technologies, this is revolutionary. We launched at CES and have already won a lot of awards. We have a rating of 4.8 stars for this product on Amazon.”

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Redefining Real Estate: The Rise of Wellness-Centric Spaces

Published

6 months ago

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March 14, 2025

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By Mark Phoenix – CEO of Sankari

The way we think about real estate is evolving, and at the heart of this change is a renewed focus on wellness. As we become more aware of the profound impact our living environments have on our health and well-being, it’s clear that real estate must go beyond aesthetics and luxury—it must support a lifestyle of vitality and longevity. To me, true luxury is no longer defined solely by opulence but by spaces that promote health, balance, and connection.

The demand for wellness-oriented spaces is growing rapidly, and real estate developers must rise to meet it. Today’s buyers are looking for more than just high-end finishes and exclusive locations—they want environments that enhance their well-being. Integrating wellness features such as fitness centers, yoga studios, meditation areas, and holistic health services is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. These spaces don’t just add value to a property; they create communities that create physical health, mental clarity, and social engagement.

Wellness-centric design is about more than just adding amenities—it’s about creating environments that encourage movement, relaxation, and human connection. By prioritizing well-being in real estate, developers can offer residents a lifestyle that aligns with modern values and aspirations. These spaces cultivate a sense of belonging, allowing people to come together in ways that enrich their lives beyond the walls of their homes.

Beyond individual benefits, wellness-focused communities have a lasting impact on society. As more people seek out homes that support their health, the real estate industry has an opportunity to lead this cultural shift. Developments that incorporate sustainable materials, biophilic design, and eco-friendly building practices not only benefit residents but also contribute to a healthier planet.

In the ultra-luxury segment, this focus on wellness is especially meaningful. The most sought-after properties are no longer just about extravagance—they are about creating a sanctuary where people can rejuvenate both physically and mentally. True luxury lies in thoughtful, health-driven design that enhances everyday life in meaningful ways.

Designing for wellness also means partnering with visionary architects and designers who understand the importance of both form and function. In regions with challenging climates, for example, innovative solutions can help reduce environmental impact while enhancing comfort and efficiency. Securing sustainability certifications like LEED further reinforces a commitment to responsible development and aligns with the global movement toward eco-conscious living.

For me, integrating wellness into real estate is more than just a trend—it’s a deeply personal mission and a strategic imperative. The places we live should do more than just shelter us; they should actively contribute to our health and happiness. By embedding wellness into the very foundation of luxury real estate, we’re not just shaping beautiful spaces—we’re shaping better lives.

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We are bringing tradition to every table in just five minutes

Published

7 months ago

on

February 20, 2025

By

Kerala breakfast

Exclusive Interview with Ashvin Subramanyam, CEO International Business, Orkla India

In this exclusive interview, Ashvin Subramanyam, CEO of International Business at Orkla India, shares insights on the brand’s participation at Gulfood 2025 and its mission to blend tradition with innovation in the Middle East. With the launch of Eastern’s 5-Minute Breakfast range and a refreshed Arabic spice portfolio, Orkla IMEA is redefining convenience without compromising on authenticity.

What can we expect from Orkla IMEA’s presence at Gulfood 2025, and how significant is this event for your brand’s growth in the region?

At Gulfood 2025, Orkla IMEA, subsidiary of Orkla India, is set to make a strong impact by unveiling the Eastern 5-Minute Breakfast range, designed to bring the authentic flavors of Kerala to the fast-growing ready-to-cook market in the Middle East. In addition, visitors can expect a refreshed Arabic spice portfolio, reflecting Orkla India’s continued commitment to catering to the diverse culinary preferences of the region.

Gulfood is a key platform for us as it enables us to showcase our latest innovations to a global audience, including retailers, distributors, and food industry leaders. The Middle East is a strategic market for our expansion. By blending tradition with convenience, our goal through this event is to become a household name across diverse communities in the region, reinforcing our commitment to quality, authenticity, and innovation in packaged foods.

How does Gulfood help Orkla IMEA connect with new markets, consumers, and industry partners, particularly in the Middle East?

Gulfood serves as a vital gateway for Orkla India to connect with new markets, consumers, and industry partners through its subsidiary Orkla IMEA in the Middle East. As one of the world’s largest food and beverage trade exhibitions, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with key stakeholders, including retailers, distributors, and hospitality businesses, facilitating strategic partnerships and market expansion.

For Orkla India, this event is instrumental in understanding regional consumer trends, preferences, and evolving dietary habits, particularly in the fast-growing packaged food sector. The launch of the Eastern 5-Minute Breakfast range and refreshed Arabic spice portfolio at Gulfood allows us to showcase our innovation in convenience-driven yet authentic culinary solutions.

By participating in Gulfood, we strengthen our brand presence, foster collaborations with regional partners, and position ourselves as a trusted name in ethnic and mainstream food categories. It’s a key milestone in our vision to become a household name in the Middle East.

Eastern is set to unveil its preservative-free quick South Indian 5-Minute Breakfast range. What was the inspiration behind this concept?

The Eastern 5-Minute Breakfast range was inspired by the growing need for convenient, time-saving meal solutions that do not compromise on authentic taste and quality. South Indian breakfasts, particularly Kerala’s traditional dishes, are deeply rooted in culture, requiring significant time and effort to prepare. However, with modern lifestyles becoming increasingly fast-paced, many consumers struggle to recreate these meals from scratch.

Recognizing this shift, Eastern set out to bridge the gap between tradition and convenience by crafting a range that retains the authentic flavours and textures of Kerala’s most-loved breakfasts while eliminating the long preparation time. The preservative-free formula ensures that consumers enjoy fresh, wholesome meals made from high-quality ingredients in just three easy steps, ready in five minutes.

With this innovation, Eastern empowers busy professionals, young families, and expatriates to stay connected to their culinary heritage without compromising on their schedules, making traditional breakfast accessible anytime, anywhere in just 5 minutes.

Can you give us an insight into the development process behind this 5-Minute Breakfast range, especially in maintaining authentic South Indian flavors without preservatives?

The development process for our 5-Minute Breakfast range began with a deep understanding of our consumers’ evolving lifestyles and their desire for authentic Kerala-style breakfasts that eliminate a lengthy preparation process. We identified a unique need-gap: while traditional dishes like Puttu, Appam, and Idiyappam are much-loved, the time and effort they require can be challenging in today’s fast-paced world.

Our journey involved benchmarking these dishes to the traditional methods used by homemakers, capturing the essence of how an amma would prepare them at home. This set the standard for the flavor profiles we aimed to achieve. The challenge was to replicate the authentic taste and texture while ensuring our products were preservative-free.

Our R&D team worked tirelessly, conducting extensive trials to balance authenticity and convenience. Through our innovation center we crafted recipes that retain the goodness of traditional Kerala breakfasts while being ready in just five minutes. With this range, Eastern redefines breakfast convenience, allowing families to savor the true flavors of Kerala in a fraction of time.

With over one million Keralites in the UAE, how does Eastern plan to cater to both the traditional tastes of this community and the broader multicultural audience?

With almost two million Keralites in the UAE, Eastern understands the deep emotional and cultural connection this community has with its traditional cuisine. The Eastern 5-Minute Breakfast range is designed to preserve the authentic flavours of Kerala while offering a convenient solution for modern lifestyles. By using high-quality ingredients and a preservative-free formula, the range ensures that the taste and texture remain true to tradition, making it an ideal choice for Malayalees longing for home-cooked meals.

While there are other instant and ready-to-eat options in the market, Eastern’s range stands out by offering dishes like Puttu and Palappam, which traditionally require culinary expertise and time-consuming preparation. These dishes are not widely available in the quick- convenience food category.

At the same time, Eastern is expanding its reach to a broader multicultural audience by showcasing South Indian cuisine as a flavourful, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare option for all. The simplicity of the 3 Easy Steps preparation makes these dishes accessible to non-South Indian consumers who are eager to explore new flavours. Through strategic retail partnerships, digital outreach and and aggressive in-store sampling, Eastern aims to introduce and establish South Indian breakfast as a preferred choice for consumers in this region.

What’s one thing about Orkla IMEA that people might not know but should?

While Orkla IMEA was incorporated recently, we have been in the region for over 25 years now, through our brand Eastern.

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Features

2025 Hospitality Tech Trends

Published

7 months ago

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February 12, 2025

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By Prince Thampi, Founder and CEO, Hudini

As we approach 2025, the hospitality industry is poised for transformational growth, driven by evolving traveller preferences and advancements in technology. The future of hospitality promises enhanced convenience, personalisation and sustainability, with a significant focus on creating memorable experiences for guests. Let’s dive into five key trends that will shape the hospitality tech landscape in 2025 and beyond.

  1. The Continued Rise of Frictionless Technology

The increased demand for frictionless experiences is set to dominate the industry, with more and more travellers preferring hotels that offer touch-free check-in, check-out, and room access via mobile apps. This trend reflects a broader shift towards easy interactions powered by seamless digital integration. Mobile apps have been an essential tool for a few years now, enabling guests to manage their stays, order room service, and access hotel information effortlessly. With the introduction of Gen AI, those apps have become more powerful than ever and are now able to provide highly personalised recommendations and speak in different languages.

Hotels embracing this trend will gain a competitive edge, as tech-savvy travellers prioritise convenience and efficiency during their stay. According to a recent survey by Deloitte, around 72% of travellers are more likely to choose a hotel that offers mobile check-in and check-out services over those that don’t.

  • Hyper Personalised Guest Experiences

In 2025, personalisation will continue to be at the core of hospitality services but will finally be taken to the next level thanks to Gen AI. Guests expect hotels to anticipate their needs and offer tailored experiences, from customised room settings to personalised dining recommendations. Apps powered by AI are now able to predict guest needs based on a wealth of data, ingested from the hotel systems or fed externally.

Leveraging guest data and insights, hotels can create unique offerings that cater to individual preferences. This level of personalisation not only enhances guest satisfaction but also fosters loyalty and repeat bookings. According to Oracle’s findings, biometrics and AI are set to play pivotal roles, with 62% of guests valuing automated recognition for personalised interactions. Biometrics will experience a breakthrough into mainstream hospitality in 2025. Facial recognition technology has matured significantly and is ready to be weaved into the guest experience. It will enable better security and guest recognition while protecting their privacy at the same time.

  • AI-Enabled Customer Service

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising every aspect of the hospitality industry, but will be by itself a new way of providing customer service. Chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming standard tools for handling common queries, offering instant support, and streamlining operations at any time and in any language.

AI-driven solutions not only enhance efficiency but also provide guests with 24/7 assistance, ensuring a smoother and more satisfying experience. By integrating AI technologies, hotels can free up staff to focus on delivering exceptional in-person service.

  • Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices

Sustainability is no longer optional, it’s a necessity often enforced by regulation. Travellers are increasingly favouring hotels that adopt eco-friendly practices, such as using locally sourced food, implementing energy-efficient operations, and reducing waste.

By prioritising sustainability, hotels not only meet guest expectations but also contribute positively to the environment. This commitment to green initiatives enhances brand reputation and attracts environmentally conscious travellers. A recent survey by Booking.com found that 83% of global respondents believe more sustainable travel is vital, with 49% believing there aren’t enough sustainable travel options and 53% saying they get annoyed when a hotel prevents them from being sustainable.

Smart use of technology is key in the sustainability journey of hotels. Technology can accurately measure the reduction in carbon footprint, it will help reduce energy and adopt renewable energy sources, and will enable the effective management of food waste. Many hospitality apps allow guests to apply green energy settings to a room, some will even exchange your energy savings to loyalty points.

  • The return of ‘real’

With Gen Z – the first generation grown up with everything digital – becoming the next large group to travel, the craving for ‘real’ experiences is bigger than it ever was. Hotels focusing on truly unique and hyper local experiences; a great meal, cultural outing, or wellness treatment will win the hearts of this generation.

Fortunately hotel apps, AI, automation of processes, sustainability tech and the removal of cumbersome processes like checking-in and studying paper manuals will free up hotel staff to allow them to do what they do best: providing unforgettable, personalised and sustainable experiences.

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