Google Wifi Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The Eero has just gotten a serious competitor — the Google Wifi router that was announced at Google’s launch event in San Francisco today.

This is the first Wi-Fi router — or router system — from Google and like the Eero it comes in three identical units. You only need one if you live in a small apartment, but the extra two will blanket a large home with Wi-Fi signal. Prior to this, Google has written software the OnHub routers that have hardware from TP-Link and Asus.

The new Google Wifi router.

James Martin/CNET

Google says the new Google Wifi system has a built-in Network Assist feature set that works using logic to optimize the connection, allowing Wi-Fi devices, like smartphones and tablets, to automatically connect to the closest unit and on the best channel at a given time. This means you can walk around the house without worrying about getting disconnected or even losing signal strength.

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What’s more, the system includes a free mobile app with built-in parental control, allowing you to pause (and resume) the internet connection to any connected device at anytime.

As far as hardware, Google didn’t yet reveal the specs of the Google Wifi. My guess, however, is the new router will use the latest 802.11ac standard, which is also used by the previous OnHub routers.

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The best thing about the Google Wifi is its price, which is $129 for a single unit or $299 for a set of three. This is much less than the Eero, which costs $200 for a single unit or $500 for three. (The price for the UK and Australia have not yet been announced.)

You do have to wait until early December to get your own, however, but you can start preordering the Google Wifi starting in November. Check back then for its full review.