Google revealed on Tuesday that it’s working with networking expert TP-Link to create “a different kind of” Wi-Fi router called OnHub. This device is designed for the home and admittedly looks rather stylish, sporting a tall cylinder form factor. Customers can pre-order the device now for $199 at various online locations in the United States including Walmart.com and Amazon. Brick-and-mortar stores will have the device on sale in a matter of weeks.
So what’s the big deal about this router? Google points to the form factor, saying that it sheds the typical cords and flashing LED lights with “useful” lighting and internal antennas. In essence, the companies have created a device that’s visually appealing, something the customer can be proud of and display out in the open.
“During setup, OnHub searches the airwaves and selects the best channel for the fastest connection,” says Google product manager Trond Wuellner. “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.”
The specifications show that OnHub includes six 2.4 GHz antennas, six 5 GHz antennas, and a congestion-sensing antenna that are arranged in a circular pattern. On a whole, the device promises Wireless AC speeds of up to 1900 Mbps. That means the 5 GHz band provides speeds of up to 1300 Mbps and 2.4 GHz band speeds of up to 600 Mbps… the best coverage you can get for now.
The specifications also show that the new router is based on a dual-core IPQ8064 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz, 4 GB of internal storage, 1 GB of DDR3L RAM, one USB 3.0 port, and a 3-watt speaker. The device is also ZigBee and Thread compatible, meaning the router will fit right into a “smart” home outfitted with ZigBee or Thread-based devices. There’s also Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, a WAN gigabit port, and one LAN gigabit port.
“OnHub automatically updates with new features and the latest security upgrades, without interrupting your connection,” Wuellner says. “In the future, OnHub can support smart devices that you bring into your home, whether they use Bluetooth® Smart Ready, Weave, or 802.15.4.”
The blog indicates that Google wanted a router that simply works out-of-the-box and doesn’t slow down to a crawl when someone is streaming Netflix. To help maintain the device, Google has developed the Google On app for Android and iOS. With this app, users can run a network check, see how much bandwidth a device is using, get help if something goes wrong with the network, and more.
Wuellner also hints in Tuesday's blog that Google is working with Asus to create another OnHub, which will be revealed later this year.
From maximumpc
from http://bit.ly/1Py37rp
