Does your home Wi-Fi suck? Google wants to help.
The Web giant on Tuesday unveiled OnHub, "a different kind of router for a new way to Wi-Fi." No more messy cords and annoying blinking lights. OnHub was designed for the home, with internal antennas and "subtle, useful lighting," so it can be left out in the open, where it will perform at its best, not hidden away in a cabinet or on the floor.
During the setup process, OnHub searches the airwaves and selects the best channel that will give you the fastest connection, Google said.
"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," Google Group Product Manager Trond Wuellner wrote in a blog post. "You can even prioritize a device, so that your most important activity—like streaming your favorite show—gets the fastest speed."
With OnHub, you can set up and manage your WiFi from the Google On app for iOS or Android. The app tells you how much bandwidth your devices are using, lets you run a network check, and offers suggestions to help if there's a problem with your Wi-Fi.
And you won't have to worry about manually installing updates. OnHub automatically updates with new features and security fixes without interrupting your connection, Google said.
Google designed the new router with the help of Chinese networking device manufacturer TP-Link, but said it plans to make new OnHub devices with other hardware partners in the future, including Asus.
The $200 OnHub is now available for pre-order online from the Google Store, Amazon, and Walmart. It will hit retail stores in the U.S. and Canada in the "coming weeks," Google said.
"At the end of the day, we want our Wi-Fi to just work, so that we can do all the things we love to do online," Wuellner wrote. "Here's to WiFi with the reliability, speed, and security you want at home, without the frustrations you don't."
For a look at OnHub, check out the video below.