OnHub, Google’s line of powerful routers that aren’t ugly or mysterious, has a new model from Asus. One of its key features is the ability to prioritize particular devices’ bandwidth with a wave of your hand.
Similar to their Nexus program, Google is working with outside hardware companies to actually build OnHub routers while contributing specifications and software. The sleek devices are made to be displayed, out in the open, in part because hiding routers in a closet means worse WiFi quality.
The first OnHub device was from TP-Link; reviewers praised the signal quality put out by its array of 12 antennas. They also liked the quick setup and ease of use – everything is configured by a simple smartphone app – but thought power users might miss advanced settings and having more than one Ethernet port.
Google’s blog post on the Asus OnHub suggests the new device, which is slightly conical compared to TP-Link’s cylinder, won’t be that different in terms of features than the TP-Link version. There’s one exception, though — a gesture control feature called Wave Control.
“By waving your hand over the Asus OnHub, you can prioritize sending Wi-Fi to a specific device in your home, like your Chromecast while watching a movie,” the blog post said.
It’s unclear how this will work, but a simple way to prioritize one device over another could prove valuable.
Another new feature, Smart Antenna, will be included with the Asus OnHub and pushed to TP-Link OnHub users via a software update. This new feature aims to improve signal quality.
“OnHub will now intelligently select the best combination of antennas to send Wi-Fi to your devices, based on their location and orientation,” said the announcement.
The TP-Link OnHub costs $200; the Asus OnHub will cost $20 more at $220. You can pre-order it now, if you’re interested.
Available at: Best Buy | Target
Mozilla is giving Firefox’s Smart Window two new tricks. If you haven’t tried it yet, Smart Window is an optional AI mode in Firefox with a built-in chat that helps you get things done while you browse. With this update, it can fill out online forms using details from your tabs and keep an eye on websites for you.
Tired of typing the same details into every form?
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.