Google intends to make consumer WiFi that actually works

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Google intends to make consumer WiFi that actually works

gzt

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#177914 19-Aug-2015 07:39

"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"

http://googleblog.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/meet-onhub-new-router-for-new-way-to-wi.html?m=1

Available for preorder at US199. Personally I will hold off on v1, although I expect much of the tech is proven elsewhere.

Has automated firmware updates as well which is a nice feature for typical telco customers.

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#1369021 19-Aug-2015 08:23

"And, instead of lost passwords and sticky notes, it even reveals your password with a single tap and lets you text or email it to friends."

errrr, thats not a feature to promote IMO....

Beccara

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#1369032 19-Aug-2015 08:57

WPA2 is broken anyway, Thats a really handy feature for the end user and if they make it a simple task to change and/or have a guest network built in then it's a nice balance of security and usability

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

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dafman

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#1369040 19-Aug-2015 09:09

I wonder how configurable router settings will be? Will Google monitor/limit/control users ability to get around geo-blocking for example?

timmmay

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#1369052 19-Aug-2015 09:14

All three routers I've owned for the past 10 years have "just worked".

johnr

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#1369060 19-Aug-2015 09:22

What about the laws of physics? No software or aerial can fix that

Beccara

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#1369061 19-Aug-2015 09:24

johnr: What about the laws of physics? No software or aerial can fix that

Would be interesting to see the antenna array in the thing, Wonder if they are going for a really high antenna count and smarter frequency/reflection use

tdgeek

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#1369069 19-Aug-2015 09:33

johnr: What about the laws of physics? No software or aerial can fix that

They nailed this one John.

Quote
"Many of us keep our router on the floor and out of sight, where it doesn’t work as well."

I guess its a good idea, but is it a solution looking for a problem? Id rather take the hit and get a Data Sparky to pop a small ethernet patch panel in 3 locations in my house, so that AP's can give a solid network and users in those locations can ethernet if required/desired

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1101

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#1369072 19-Aug-2015 09:35

johnr: What about the laws of physics? No software or aerial can fix that

try telling that to the average person

They will buy the product, then wonder why it wont go through 3 floors to the top story, go to a underground basement room, go through walls/floors with foil insulation ,wont go through 4 walls & still have full signal strength

Surely there is a limit to how complex the aerial in the Access Point can be, as the aerial in the laptop/tablet will have to match and will allways be a limiting factor

nathan

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#1369073 19-Aug-2015 09:38

13 aerials according to this

TP-Link design, and another coming from Asus

http://www.wired.com/2015/08/google-onhub-wi-fi-router/

you're right part of it is the design, so you don't put it on the floor or stack stuff on top of it

sbiddle

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#1369094 19-Aug-2015 09:57

1101:
johnr: What about the laws of physics? No software or aerial can fix that

try telling that to the average person

They will buy the product, then wonder why it wont go through 3 floors to the top story, go to a underground basement room, go through walls/floors with foil insulation ,wont go through 4 walls & still have full signal strength

Surely there is a limit to how complex the aerial in the Access Point can be, as the aerial in the laptop/tablet will have to match and will allways be a limiting factor

If you want to see a complex antenna Google some images of the inside of Ruckus kit - their beamforming on outdoor kit is magical.

gzt

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#1370226 19-Aug-2015 12:42

nathan: 13 aerials according to this

TP-Link design, and another coming from Asus

http://www.wired.com/2015/08/google-onhub-wi-fi-router/

you're right part of it is the design, so you don't put it on the floor or stack stuff on top of it

Cool article. "The OnHub has 13 antennas inside, 12 for casting signal and one for measuring congestion on your network. / Wuellner says Google didn’t just want to blow your mind with antenna power, but figure out how to use it properly"

Imho some of this tech is common in commercial proprietary WiFi. Part of this initiative could be google giving a get out of jail free card to OEMs implementing some of this tech, but I have not seen any specificly.