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Google announced its own branded wireless router (fabricated by TP-LINK), which information technology says "is a new style to Wi-Fi." But what does this mean? And doesn't $199.99 seem expensive for a Wi-Fi router? Perhaps not. Although OnHub won't be available for purchase until August 31, allow's meet what a closer look at its specifications reveals about information technology today.

The OnHub has 13 antennas — six two.4GHz antennas, vi 5GHz antennas, and a congestion-sensing antenna — arranged in a circle. The OnHub monitors the Wi-Fi environment and automatically adjusts its settings to provide an optimal experience. Since it doesn't have the usual front end panel of  indicators, you will demand an Android telephone or Apple iPhone with Google'south OnHub app to manage the router. However, these apps allow you do things similar assign bandwidth priority to a specific device. This would let me, for example, make certain that the computer I'm using to record a podcast over Skype gets the bandwidth information technology needs, even if someone in my family is watching Netflix.

In addition to Wi-Fi, the OnHub likewise has Bluetooth four.0 and 801.15.four (ZigBee/Thread). You are probably are famliar with Bluetooth as a fashion to communicate with wireless devices like headphones, keyboards, and mice. But Bluetooth four.0 also supports Bluetooth Low Energy, which lets it communicate with sensors and action trackers like the Fitbit without expending much power. 801.fifteen.four is an IEEE low data rate and low ability Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) standard that allows a variety of devices to communicate with each other — in other words, the Internet of Things (IoT). Neither of these radios are agile in OnHub at launch according to Google. Only the company advises us to "…stay tuned. We have heady things in the works."

And while the OnHub lacks the usual forepart console of high-end consumer routers, information technology does have 6 tri-colour LED arrays, which Google says is a dimmable light ring that provides feedback.

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Also of annotation: The OnHub has i USB iii.0 port and a three-watt speaker. Yes, that grill on the elevation is an audio speaker. And the OnHub does have a passing resemblance to Amazon's well-received Echo voice activated Internet connected speaker, although OnHub doesn't include a microphone in its specifications. However, information technology is like shooting fish in a barrel to imagine getting Google At present-type audio responses to questions posed to a smartphone or some other connected device in the abode.

And then, is Google'southward OnHub worth $199.99? At this point, you lot would be buying a potentially useful connected device hub for your domicile or small office. But, nosotros won't know what that potential is until Google turns on the Bluetooth four.0 and 801.15.four radios and reveals what the USB port and speaker do. Nevertheless, I'1000 somewhat tempted to buy ane but to get a forepart-row seat to Google's introduction of its IoT lineup.