Life without Wi-Fi is almost unimaginable today. But the pace we’re streaming and sharing content today makes our traditional Wi-Fi routers go bimbo. Google though, has a surprise for you today — a brand new Wi-Fi router which it has developed along with its partner TP-LINK, and which aims at eradicating all the major issues traditional routers bring in tow.
The device, known as the OnHub, solves issues include Wi-Fi slowing to a crawl, videos buffering and connections randomly dropping out (the only solution for these is unplugging and re-plugging the router, though no 100% guarantee that the device would start functioning properly!).
Google says that the OnHub will give you “Wi-Fi that’s fast, secure, and easy to use”.
First things first, let’s discuss how the device looks. Traditional routers are ugly (and that’s keeping it subtle). They don’t look like something you would like to keep in your showcase or dinner table. With all those chords and wires, blinking and often useless lights, most of us prefer keeping them well hidden, on the floor etc.
To counter this, Google’s OnHub is a very good looking device. This hunk of a router looks like a Nexus-Q in some ways. It has internal antennas and subtle, useful lighting instead of unruly cords and blinking lights. This way, you could showcase this device and be proud to own it.
Which brings us to the second point of note- the OnHub is expensive. And by expensive, we mean that it will cost you a whopping $199.99. It’s currently available for pre-orders from online retailers in the U.S. including the Google Store, Amazon, and Walmart.com. It will be available for sale in retail stores in the U.S. and in Canada in the coming weeks.
The OnHub, the tech firm says, is very easy to setup and as an added bonus during setup, it searches the airwaves and selects the best channel for the fastest connection. Trond Wuellner, Group Product Manager, in the blog post announcing the new device, writes:
[…] A unique antenna design and smart software keep working in the background, automatically adjusting OnHub to avoid interference and keep your network at peak performance. You can even prioritize a device, so that your most important activity — like streaming your favorite show — gets the fastest speed.
Also, the OnHub makes your Wi-Fi very easy to manage. You can achieve this feat by just a few simple taps here and there on the new Google On app, available on Android or iOS. The app will provide you with data like how much bandwidth your devices are using. It also lets you run a network check, and if there’s an issue with your Wi-Fi, the app offers suggestions to help. The app also makes sharing your Wi-Fi password with your friends very easy.
The router will also be getting updates day-in and day-out as soon as they are released.
Need Wifi Routers? Have a look at best Wireless Router Reviews which were reviewed by us.
Google says that it is also working with ASUS on a similar device which could be out soon.
[..] We also plan to design new OnHub devices with other hardware partners in the future. Stay tuned for news from our second partner, ASUS, later this year.
