Google has just released a second OnHub wireless router in what is envisaged to be a “growing OnHub family”, as the company states on its website. This time, their partners were ASUS, while the first OnHub wireless router was created in partnership with TP-Link and released this past summer, in August.

That first one represented a bold step forward as regards design and functionality. Because due to its minimalist design and sleek vase-like appearance it means it does not have to be placed out-of-sight. Like regular routers tend to be, in an attempt to hide what many homeowners consider ugly antennae and messy cables sprouting from them like the tentacles of a small alien kill-bot.

From a functionality point of view, this first OnHub was created with the purpose of having an easy to setup, mobile app controlled router that can better manage the wi-fi signal distribution to all your devices in accordance with their actual needs, as opposed to traditional routers which use proximity to them as the criteria.

So, the first OnHub’s fixed that problem by allowing you to prioritize a single device, making sure it gets the fastest speed as well as sporting a front-facing antenna reflector that could boost signal range in that direction.

So if the first OnHub did that, why did Google and ASUS release a new OnHub wireless router so soon?

Because this new version, apart from having all the general characteristics of its predecessor, replaces its one direction boost approach to the signal distribution problem with an even better one. You can now boost wi-fi on any particular device with a wave of the hand over the top of the unit, giving you complete control which device you boost, not just in one direction, but wherever it is in the house at the time.

And even when not boosting a particular device, the new OnHub wireless router “will intelligently select the best combination of antennas to direct Wi-Fi to your devices, based on their location and orientation” using proximity sensors.

The unit comes with a power adapter and an Ethernet cable. Once powered and with the Ethernet cable connected to your Internet-giving source, all you have to do is install the Google On app and set up the router (easily done).

After that, the Google On app takes care of everything. It shows you your network’s status: if everything is working ok (and suggestions to help if not), how many devices are connected, how much wi-fi they each use. With one tap, it reveals your password and “lets you text or email it to friends”. And it automatically updates your router software “when your network is quiet so it won’t interrupt your connection”.

OnHub ASUS sells for 219.99 $ and can connect up to 128 devices at one time.

Image source: 1.