Google has entered the home router business with a new product called OnHub. This is a Wi-Fi router it has designed in collaboration with TP-Link. Google says that OnHub users will experience "a different kind of router for a new way to Wi-Fi," eliminating common problems of spotty connections and providing Wi-Fi that's "fast, secure, and easy to use".
The tall cylindrical design of the router stems from its accommodation of six 2.4GHz antennas and six 5GHz internal antennas in pairs, 120 degrees apart, in a circular array. Google reckons that as its OnHub looks so good you will not want to squirrel it away in a dark cupboard, it will perform better as it is out in the open. The router design has eliminated the usual blinking lights with "subtle, useful lighting". The dimmable light ring uses one of four colours to indicate status.
OnHub software is said to constantly working in the background to avoid interference and keep the network flowing at its peak. It will be kept up to date with the latest features and security updates straight from Google. The router is said to be easy to set up and Wi-Fi is easy to manage using the Google On app on your Android or iOS smartphone. The app has extra functionality such as bandwidth monitoring and prioritisation, and diagnostics. Google makes it easy to share the router password via text or email.
Google's OnHub is available for pre-order now for $199.99 in the US and will become available in retail stores in the US and Canada in the coming weeks. The OnHub range will be expanded with other devices including one made by ASUS which will be announced later this year.
