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Computing
Meraki Mini
Sharing the Internet with the World
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With a simple $50 box, Meraki Networks hopes to spark a worldwide Wi-Fi revolution. The wireless router lets a city block, or even an entire village, share the same Internet connection.
By itself, the Meraki Mini creates a Wi-Fi network around a wired Internet connection. But add a second Mini within 150 feet, and it picks up and amplifies the wireless signal, creating a seamless network that spans nearly double the original area. Add more Minis, and the network can blanket acres. So instead of all your neighbors paying an ISP, you could let them tap into your connection. To boost the whole network’s bandwidth, just plug any of the Minis into another wired link. (With a $150 model of the Mini, you can control access or even charge users via a Web site.)
Meraki’s founders, backed by Google, based the Mini on $1,000 commercial units. But they use widely available chips, smart software and cash-earning Google ads to bring massive networks to the masses, one piece at a time. $50–$150; meraki.com
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SLIDESHOW
Infographic and photo
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