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According to a very good source, Android Police has broken the news of a Google-branded router to be launched at Google’s much-anticipated event on October 4th.
But wait, doesn’t Google have OnHub?
Let’s put a pin in that question for just a second and talk about this leak. What looks to be on offer here is an extended-range router with ‘smart features’. Additionally, multiple Google Wi-Fi devices will have the ability to create a network of routers for extended coverage options. While there aren’t hard details on this, a simple plug-and-play solution for larger homes and businesses would definitely be a welcome addition. There are a few companies trying to get this working well and it’s been hit or miss. I sincerely hope Google can nail this.
Now, what about OnHub? If you don’t know what that even is, don’t feel bad. Basically, it is a fantastic router (or pair of routers) made by 3rd party companies and sold by Google. You can read more about it here. OnHub is the brainchild of the Chrome and Fiber teams and looks to be taking a back seat with Google proper.
While the OnHub may continue to be a thing, this just points again to the startling nature of this 10/4 event. Google is making big moves. While we aren’t sure exactly what those moves all point to, it seems that Google is consolidating services and devices with a plan to move forward with a united front.
Unfortunately, for now, things are starting to feel a bit frenetic. We have Hangouts vs. Allo. Nexus vs. Pixel. OnHub vs. Google Wi-Fi.
We have hope that there is a pretty large-scale plan behind these moves. As Google seems to be pivoting a bit to be more consumer-focused, it really needs to find the place where it can innovate around a core set of devices and features. Up until now, we’ve not seen a Google with that kind of focus.
Hopefully, signs are pointing to that exact thing.
