Google Inc launched a Wi-Fi router on Tuesday, the latest move in the company’s efforts to get ready for the connected home and draw more users to its services.
The cylinder-shaped router, named OnHub, can be pre-ordered for $199.99 (roughly Rs. 13,000) at online retailers including the Google Store, Amazon Inc and Walmart.com.The router comes with in-built antennas that will scan the airwaves to spot the fastest connection, Google said in a blog post.With the router, users will be able to prioritise a device so that they can get the fastest Internet speeds for data-heavy activities such as downloading content or streaming a movie.The router can be hooked up with Google’s On app, available on Android and iOS, to run network checks and keep track of bandwidth use among other things.
Google said OnHub automatically updates with new features and the latest security upgrades, just like the company’s Android OS and Chrome browser.The router is being manufactured by network company TP-LINK, Google said, hinting that ASUS could be the second manufacturing partner for the product.