Android-running AC router with touchscreen

[crispy345]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/soaprouter/soap-first-smart-router-w-touch-display-powered-by

 

 

"If you think of Soap as just another router, well, then you need to think again. Seriously, it’s anything but that! Soap is basically next-generation smart hub that makes it possible for you to control every single aspect of not just your network, but your electronic devices as well. Think of it as your home automation hub, wireless router, parental control system, an internet security system and much more – all in one place. With it, there simply isn't a need for you to worry about having to purchase additional software or go through endless manuals – easy compatibility, and safety are what Soap guarantees!"

 

This seems like a good idea for simplifying keeping your wireless network up and running, and all the cool functionality looks really cool as well

 

"Let you know when your kids leave the house

Alert you if you dog gets out of the backyard

Let you know if you dog is barking too loud

Turn on your TV when you enter the room

Turn on and off lights as walk in and out of parts of your home

Let you know if you forgot your wallet or cell phone before you leave your home"

 

I think it looks very innovative, and would be a good option for users looking to keep track of their devices or an excuse to upgrade to wireless AC

 

The specs are also quite impressive for a router

 

"7” Captive touch display (1280x800) (only on the Soap Touch model)

Freescale i.MX6 Quad Cortex A9 Quad-core processor

2x USB 3.0

32GB on board storage can be upgraded to anything that connects through msata

4GB (able upgrade to 8GB)

SD Card Expansion

*Built in Battery (if stretch goal of 200k is reached)

WiFi Range Extender"

 

The site likes to refer to it as a "smart-hub" instead of a router, and it might wake some other manufacturers attention to the same thing, if it goes through. 

 

There are two different models, which are separated like this

 

Soap Touch has a display

Soap Essentials does not have a display ( use HDMI, or app to update)

Soap Touch has 32GB of Memory

Soap Essentials has 8GB of Memory

 

I think the concept looks cool, and I'm looking forward to see how this develops. 

 

There are lots of more in-depth specs and more images during the process on making it on the site, so I would suggest you to take a look. 

 

What's your take on this?

[lhikary]

My reaction is

Meh

[JAKEBAB]

About time I've always been baffled why routers are still using custom os when there's things like android which is way more intuitive.

[Scheer]

It will go like most everything else on Kickstarter, you will get it a year later than promised... at which point there are 5 alternatives to it already in production for less money with more features. Although, I really have a hard time understanding how it can be so cheap, honestly I'd be scared to back it because they have to be cutting some massive corners to meet that price point.

 

It is basically an Almond+, with more features added, and look at all the delays with the Almond+ even with Securify being a semi-established company.

 

Honestly, I hope I am wrong and it turns out to be a great cheap product, as I'll gladly take any change that means it is easier to help relatives with networking...

 

EDIT: F' it, I backed for the non-touch... I need a new router for the garage at some point and its the same price as a UniFi AP.

[ZetZet]

why...

[needmorewood]

this is feraking awesome. if anything this will push the industry which will be awesome.
someone like ASUS could do this really well

[werto165]

There's already been a kickstarter for a touchscreen access point.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2037429657/almond-80211ac-touchscreen-wifi-router-smart-home/posts/611489

[thexzenon]

I like their demo video, but..this will most surely fail. Heck if routers from known companies fail all the time, what's gonna keep this one from doing so? And by fail I don't mean break, just not handling everything as it should. Also, why Android?

[Misanthrope]

Smart router? Yeah that's just a central server that happens to route too I don't really get the name. If they could sell it as an android control center I would understand it at glance a lot better. But I have to ask why android? What's wrong with just using Linux on it? And why a touch screen? A server type device should be headless so you can just put it away and remotely control it with your other devices, it seems like they're wasting money on the screen and UI built into the device.

[Scheer]

Smart router? Yeah that's just a central server that happens to route too I don't really get the name. If they could sell it as an android control center I would understand it at glance a lot better. But I have to ask why android? What's wrong with just using Linux on it? And why a touch screen? A server type device should be headless so you can just put it away and remotely control it with your other devices, it seems like they're wasting money on the screen and UI built into the device.

 

It has home automation radios built into it, so you can walk over to it and turn the heat up a bit, shut all the lights in the house off, turn your underground sprinklers on, etc. Its relatively hard to do that without a screen.

[Misanthrope]

It has home automation radios built into it, so you can walk over to it and turn the heat up a bit, shut all the lights in the house off, turn your underground sprinklers on, etc. Its relatively hard to do that without a screen.

 

Maybe but I find it hard to believe a customer interested in a smart server to interconnect his house doesn't already owns several mobile phones, tablets, smart tvs, laptops, pcs, etc. Is not particularly slick looking to make it a brilliant addition to the living room if you ask me.

But nevertheless I see your point.

[Tigerbomb8]

There's already been a kickstarter for a touchscreen access point.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2037429657/almond-80211ac-touchscreen-wifi-router-smart-home/posts/611489

Dell make laptops.. does that mean everyone else should stop making laptops?

[werto165]

Dell make laptops.. does that mean everyone else should stop making laptops?

Yes... jk, i was just saying if anyone wanted one sooner they could get this.

[Scheer]

Yes... jk, i was just saying if anyone wanted one sooner they could get this.

 

We were supposed to have it 6 months ago, it just continuously gets pushed back. They are now saying they will ship end of March, so I won't be surprised if I end up getting the Soap before the Almond haha.

[jrfox87]

This seems just pointless to me. Why would I want to use a screen on my router to do anything when it would be far better and more convenient to use my phone/tablet/computer to tinker with it and home automation stuff and can hide the router away in a closet or something?