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Google OnHub Smart Router for Internet of Things

Google is all about the Web: it develops the most popular browser and mobile operating system, it has a public DNS service, it provides broadband Internet (Google Fiber) and wireless service (Project Fi). So why not build a router to improve your Internet connection and make your router as smart and easy to use as your smartphone?

Google partnered with TP-LINK to build OnHub (TGR1900), a next-generation router for the Internet of Things. Its not the fastest router (AC 1900 Mbps), its not the most expensive router ($199.99) and its not the best router for power users. Instead, Google focused on providing the best experience for regular users, much like Apple and its AirPort devices.


"We replaced unruly cords and blinking lights with internal antennas and subtle, useful lighting, so youll be happy placing OnHub out in the open, where your router performs its best. 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," mentions Google.


There are mobile apps for Android and iOS which let you setup the router, change the settings and check the stats. A Google account is required and Google saves all the settings online, except for the WiFi password. Googles OnHub downloads and installs new versions of the firmware automatically and the best thing is that the router doesnt restart, so it doesnt interrupt your connection

OnHub is designed for Internet of Things and it supports Bluetooth Smart Ready, Weave (Nest protocol for the Internet of Things), IEEE 802.15.4 (a standard that focuses on low-speed connections between devices). The router has a dual-core 1.4GHz processor from Qualcomm Atheros (its based on Snapdragon S4), 4GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, one USB 3.0 port, a 3W speaker, a WAN port and a single LAN port (both are Gigabit ports). Youll need a switch if you want more Ethernet ports.

You can pre-order OnHub from Google Store, Amazon and other sites in the US and it will ship in the coming weeks. It will also be available for sale in retail stores in the U.S. and in Canada. Google plans to release a second OnHub device later this year, in partnership with ASUS.

Many people will wonder if Google monitors the sites theyre visiting. Theres a help center article about this, which mentions that Google collects some data about your Internet usage (data speeds, historical network usage, network status, connected devices, network settings) and associates some of them with your Google account, but you can disable this in the settings. Google DNS is used by default, but you can change the DNS settings.

So why isnt OnHub a router for power users? It has a single WAN port, it uses mobile apps for setup and changing settings, its complicated to connect multiple OnHubs because OnHub has a fixed subnet IP address that currently cant be changed.

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ASUS OnHub Router

For many people, routers are an afterthought. Stuck in a closet, out of sight and out of mind, regular users only think about their routers when something is wrong. Dealing with routers is frustrating: they usually have poor user interfaces, buggy firmware, annoying lights and most people dont know how to change their settings, update firmware or improve their performance.

Google hopes to solve these issues with OnHub, a series of routers designed by Google and manufactured by third-party companies. After launching a TP-LINK router, Google announced a second router with similar specs, this time from ASUS. The new router is even more expensive ($219.99) and can only be preordered in the US.


OnHub routers are designed to be fast, secure, easy to use and to look good. "Like our first router, the ASUS OnHub comes with faster Wi-Fi, easy set-up, and simple management with the Google On app. With the ASUS OnHub, were also introducing Wave Control, which lets you boost the Wi-Fi speed for a particular device by simply waving your hand over the top of the ASUS OnHub - great for busy houses," informs Google.

Its worth pointing out that OnHub routers run Googles software and theyre automatically updated, without having to be restarted. Thats an impressive achievement. No other router can be updated without disrupting your Internet connectivity for a few minutes and most users dont bother updating their routers.

Both OnHub routers have powerful specs and theyre designed for the future. Thats why they only have a single LAN port, they support Bluetooth and Weave and have many other features borrowed from smartphones. Theyre supposed to be smarter, just like all the other smart devices they enable. As Google says in the following video, hopefully one day youll love your router.


Ive only liked two routers: an old Linksys router running Tomato and an Apple Airport Express. Theyre very different routers, but they have a few things common: theyre stable, reliable and secure. Hopefully, OnHub routers will be just even better.

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