We’ve seen Google making more moves into connected home products lately with the Nest Thermostat and Camera, and today the company is launching its latest home product: a router.
The Google OnHub router is the result of a collaboration between Google and TP-LINK, a well-known maker of networking products. The OnHub does all of the router-y things that you’d expect a router to do, like connect your wireless devices to your home network with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and AC1900 connectivity as well as simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. However, it can also support smart devices that use Bluetooth Smart Ready, Weave, and 802.15.4.
For its antennas, Google and TP-LINK built 13 Wi-Fi antennas into the OnHub’s round body. Google also says that the OnHub software can adjust the router to avoid interference, and you can prioritize certain devices that are connected to the OnHub to give them more bandwidth when needed, like if you’re watching a show or playing an online game.
In terms of raw specs, the OnHub offers a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 1 WAN port, 1 LAN port, 1 USB 3.0 port, a speaker, and an ambient light ring. The OnHub measures 190.4 x 115.4 x 104.5mm and weighs 0.86kg/1.9lbs.
Google has also launched an app to control the OnHub. Called Google On, the app can help you set up an OnHub and once you’re done, it can show you how much bandwidth your devices are using, perform a network check, and suggest fixes if you’re having any issues. The app will also let you handle the aforementioned device prioritization feature to feed more bandwidth to certain devices. Finally, the Google On app can easily show your network’s password and then email or text it to a friend. The Google OnHub app is available for Android and iOS.
The OnHub is launching today in the US for $199.99. It’ll be available in the US from the Google Store, Amazon, and Walmart.com. Launches at other US retailers, and in Canada, will happen in the coming weeks.
Google also says that it plans to create more OnHub units with other device makers in the future. A second unit made by ASUS will be coming later in 2015.