Google OnHub: a Wi-Fi router, costing only $199, tries to simplify how we connect to the Internet

Wi-Fi connectivity, whether at home, office or on the road, has become a necessity. When it comes to buying a router though, things can get frustrating. In partnership with popular router maker TP-LINK, Google has announced a new Wi-Fi router called OnHub. This looks like anything but a router. It has a sleek, cylindrical design that you'd want to keep up close and in sight. It's easy to set up, manage and has a high performance.

This is what the Google design team was aiming for. "Many of us keep our router on the floor and out of sight, where it doesn't work as well," Trond Wuellner, group product manager writes. "We replaced unruly cords and blinking lights with internal antennas and subtle, useful lighting, so you'll be happy placing OnHub out in the open, where your router performs its best."

The OnHub is a "smarter router". It boasts a unique antenna design and smart software that constantly scans the airwaves to select the best frequency and deliver the fastest speeds. Specs wise, it features six 2.4GHz antennas and six 5GHz antennas.

The router shares the same DNA as Google's Chromecast in the way that users can control different aspects of the device via the mobile app available on both iOS and Android. It can connect up to 128 devices simultaneously. It boasts 802.11a/b/g/n/ac connectivity with speeds up to 1,900Mbps. The OnHub has been priced at $199.99, approximately Rs 13,028.24. It's already up for pre-orders in the US and Canada, but who knows when it will come to India. A second router is also in the works, this time in partnership with ASUS.