So everything just started appearing online about Google’s latest consumer offering, OnHub, about 2 hours ago. I found myself scurrying around the interwebs looking at everything I could find and then questioning if my wife would slap me over buying a new $200 router. She would.
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| Picture from Google Blog |
So what is this magical little device, and whys is it important that it is “really, really ridiculously good looking” (according to Wired)?
If you’re reading this blog, it’s safe to say you are not a typical end-user, so I’ll skip past the “what is a wi-fi router” part and get right to what interests me with this announcement.
First off, Google is stepping into consumer Wi-Fi?
I’m trying to wrap my head around the millions of comments, questions, thoughts, and implications of this. “How long before it moves into outdoor access devices,” I ask myself. Why would Google want consumer hardware? For better access? I can see that. (FYI the OnHub is manufactured by TP-Link however Google is working with ASUS for another future device)
Side Note: A big question for me while my mind is spinning is:
Are we going to be able to modify the device so that I can use one radio as a client radio and the other as a AP radio so that I can use this as a cost-effective bridge to bring in things like, oh you know, public wifi? If it’s a router, why limit me to routing via the wired port? What about that 3rd radio, that “boost” / “sensor” radio? Anyhow, back to the program..
Alot of what happens on the campus out there in California has this great goal it seems, of making the world a more connected and better place. This is a great logical step in that direction, however, what’s the bigger play here? I love that it supports all the standards as well as Bluetooth 4.0 and ZigBee too. That should be a big sign of what’s to come especially considering they own Nest.
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| Picture from Wired.com |
So what’s exciting about this offering?
Well, it’s Google. Which to me means that it is the start of things to come. Other than shutting down Google Reader, they have a pretty good track record of doing good things and making good things better. At a very basic level, this device will probably be solid and work well enough to replace a huge number of those other devices that are out there just for the simple fact that it’s, well, simple.
For Pete’s sake it “emits an audio tone which can be detected by a mobile app to help pair your phone or tablet with your router.” The fact that it combines simplicity with 802.11ac 3×3 MIMO, multiple frequency support, and obviously routing capabilities make it seem like a great little package.
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| From OnHub’s Tech Specs |
What about the way it looks?
That right there is the good stuff. This maybe one of the best parts of the whole thing. Not the tech side of it or situating the antennas properly, or a fancy app, but giving you better RF. How? By making it pretty. “you’ll be happy placing OnHub out in the open, where your router performs its best.”
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| From OnHub’s site |
You can’t explain RF to people who don’t really care about why it affects their Suits marathon. But what you can do is build a product that they don’t chuck in a closet. I mean, they might anyway, but there’s a better chance they won’t if you tell em not to and make the thing pretty enough that they don’t feel bad about it.
Tech, hype, buzz, and press aside, this is what gets the golf clap.
Well freakin’ done.
In the event that I can find an extra 2 Benjis, I’ll buy one. If not, I’ll have to wait ’til my D-Link has an “episode”. Either way, I’m happy to see this excitement!
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