Everything You Need to Know About Google’s OnHub

Recently, Google announced it’s most recent tech innovation –Google OnHub. But this time the newest must-have device isn’t a new phone, or app, or other such spotlight-hogging device. Nope, it’s a router. The backstage run-crew of your technology dependent life. And you know what? It’s about time.

With all the constant updates, new features, and brilliant advances of the last few years, routers have stayed unimpressively the same –same clunky design, same on-again-off-again signal, same unimaginably long password of gibberish letters and numbers, same pain-in-the-butt hunk of junk. So, good for you, Google, trying to bring the ancient router up to speed. Let’s check out this new piece of equipment, shall we?

What is Google OnHub?

Google Onhub is the new and improved router, one that is actually designed to be able to handle the current, and future, technology we all depend on. As long as you have broadband, you can use an OnHub. It works with cable, DSL, Fiber, and all major internet service providers. Replace your old router with OnHub, or if you have a modem/router combo unit, OnHub can act as an upgrade to the router component.

OnHub maximizes the potential of your internet service, and ensures you have the best connection possible. It has smart software running continuously in the background, which automatically adjusts your settings to avoid interference and ensure the best performance. Onhub’s capacity is nothing to sniff at either –it can easily handle up to 128 different device connections at any one time, from phones, to tablets, to tv’s, and even smart thermostats. That’s a lot of devices. Even that creepy Duggar family, with what honestly seems like multiple dozens of children, would be hard pressed to max out Google OnHub’s capacity.

The Look

Unlike other routers, which are all boxy squares with lots of wires and possibly one, or more, chunky plastic antenna, the new Google router is small and sleek. It is cylindrical, with minimal wires, and looks good enough to be displayed, in plain view, on a shelf or table. You even have some color choice, blue or black (aw, Google, no pink or white or yellow or …polka dot?). The antennas (of which there are thirteen), are all contained within the device, in a circular shape. This means it looks better and gives you a better signal in all directions.

While not having to hide an ugly piece of equipment might be enough to sell you on a new router, turns out the sleek design is for more than just aesthetic enjoyment. When you hide your ugly routers away in closets, behind couches, or other tucked-away places, you’re actually compromising the signal strength. Even just putting the router on a bottom shelf in the corner of the room can drastically reduce your wifi signal. By making OnHub nice to look at, Google is reducing the chance you’ll hide it away. Even the tall cylindrical shape is purposeful, since you’ll be less likely to stack things on top of it, which can also hurt your signal.

The App

Never has a single blinking light been able to induce as much fury as the one found on the router. Thankfully, we now never have to guess what the hell that horrible blinking light is trying to tell us. Google OnHub has an app that can actually explain to you, in human speak, what’s up with your router.

If there’s a problem it can identify it and tell you how to fix it. It also gives easy installation instructions, making setup painless. With the app, you can also choose a password (one you can actually remember), and share it with friends. Plus, it gives you up-to-date information about all the devices currently connected to OnHub, letting you see where your bandwith is going, and if necessary, set it to prioritize certain devices.

The Specs

OnHub is designed to both work with existing technology, and support future advancements as it includes Bluetooth Smart Ready, 802.15.4, and Weave. It connects to your devices through 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, and has wifi speeds of up to 1900 Mbps. The thirteen internal antennas (which inlude six 2.4GHZ, six 5GHZ, and a congestion sensing antenna) are arranged in a circular pattern to ensure maximum signal strength from any direction. And don’t worry about having room for all those automatic updates and new software features, OnHub has 4GB’s of storage space.

Want One?

Ready to chuck that old, fury-inducing router out the window, and get yourself this new fancy piece of equipment? Google OnHub will be available starting August 31st. You can preorder one now at Walmart, the Google Store, or Amazon. Pricetag: $199.99

What do you think of the new Google OnHub? Will you picking one up any time soon?