Various kinds of repeaters and mesh networks are available to patch gaps in Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home, and back in October Google announced its intention to stick a finger in that pie with Google Wi-Fi. The system is now available for preorder ahead of its release next month.
Similar to Eero or Luma, Google Wi-Fi is a mesh network that expands coverage throughout a larger home by adding extra Wi-Fi points to the network. These extra units communicate with each other via an IEEE 802.11s mesh, and can be placed anywhere there's a power outlet.
Google says that a single unit can cover a small home or apartment of 500 to 1,500 sq ft (47 to 140 sq m), while three can blanket a house of up to 4,500 sq ft (418 sq m). Optimizing a router can sometimes take plenty of fiddling, but Google claims the system's Network Assist function handles all of that backend stuff, automatically connecting devices to the nearest point and on the clearest channel. There's also a companion app for fine-tuning the system, such as prioritizing and pausing the Wi-Fi on certain devices.
While there's no word yet on when other parts of the world will be able to get their hands on the system, Google Wi-Fi is currently available for preorder for US customers. One Wi-Fi point will run you US$129, while those with bigger houses can opt for a three-pack for $299, and it's expected to ship December 6.
Source: Google
