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Google Brings Guest Network And Device Renaming To Its OnHub Router
Google OnHub is the router co-designed by the search giant in association with TP-Link. Launched late last year, it was commended by analysts for its ease of use and painless setup. But it lacked one basic feature of a wireless router; a guest network management module. With an update to the router’s firmware and Google On mobile app, Google has now brought a smart guest Wi-Fi access system that lets you decide which devices and files guests can access.
Most routers do not provide this level of discretion with guest Wi-Fi networks. But Google has made up for the delay in making this feature available. Using the Google On mobile app, owners can specify which devices guests can access via Wi-Fi. For instance, the office printer might be made off-limits, while the speakers can be accessible for streaming music from the guest’s device.
Another useful feature that comes with this update is the ability to rename devices for ease of identification. The On mobile app maps the devices currently connected to your router, and can also aid in troubleshooting connectivity issues. But most importantly, it acts as an uplink to Google so that the router firmware and critical updates can be obtained effortlessly.
The OnHub is capable of transmitting via dual bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The router would decide which band is better for each client and switch between the two. It also comes with a speaker on top that helps in pairing devices without an admin password. The tone-based pairing itself achieves that level of security. It does inflict another major limitation by not being able to share a storage device via its USB port.
OnHub is now manufactured in association with TP-Link and Asus, and both models are equally armed and simple to configure. But Google’s idea of the router might be a little broader. Interestingly enough, they are also into the ISP business, and experimenting on 5G internet connectivity. With smart home and IoT uprising, Google might want to place itself at the center of all connected devices.
Source: The Verge
Most routers do not provide this level of discretion with guest Wi-Fi networks. But Google has made up for the delay in making this feature available. Using the Google On mobile app, owners can specify which devices guests can access via Wi-Fi. For instance, the office printer might be made off-limits, while the speakers can be accessible for streaming music from the guest’s device.
Another useful feature that comes with this update is the ability to rename devices for ease of identification. The On mobile app maps the devices currently connected to your router, and can also aid in troubleshooting connectivity issues. But most importantly, it acts as an uplink to Google so that the router firmware and critical updates can be obtained effortlessly.
The OnHub is capable of transmitting via dual bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The router would decide which band is better for each client and switch between the two. It also comes with a speaker on top that helps in pairing devices without an admin password. The tone-based pairing itself achieves that level of security. It does inflict another major limitation by not being able to share a storage device via its USB port.
OnHub is now manufactured in association with TP-Link and Asus, and both models are equally armed and simple to configure. But Google’s idea of the router might be a little broader. Interestingly enough, they are also into the ISP business, and experimenting on 5G internet connectivity. With smart home and IoT uprising, Google might want to place itself at the center of all connected devices.
Source: The Verge