Linksys Adds Bridge, Parental Control Features to Router App

Linksys added features including a bridge mode and parental controls to its app-enabled router line, said the company in a Tuesday announcement. Bridge mode allows Linksys router users to configure the company’s Velop mesh Wi-Fi networking so they can keep their existing ISP-supplied router or gateway in place for other services such as IPTV, said the company. Other features that will work by enabling bridge mode: dynamic tri-band selection for the best Wi-Fi connection, a guest network, Amazon Alexa support and automatic firmware updates. Parental control scheduling had been available in the Linksys browser interface, but customers requested the ability to access schedules via the mobile device app. More features will be added to the app in coming months, it said.