Nest Wifi

Last updated

Google Nest Wifi
Google WiFi router.png
First generation Google Wifi routers
Developer Google
Manufacturer Google
Type Router
Release date
  • First generation (Google Wifi): December 5, 2016;7 years ago (2016-12-05) (United States)
  • Second generation: November 4, 2019;4 years ago (2019-11-04) (United States)
  • Third generation: October 27, 2022;20 months ago (2022-10-27) (United States)
System on a chip
CPU Qualcomm
Input Smartphone
Dimensions
[2]
  • First generation: Diameter: 4.17 inches (106 mm)
    Height: 2.70 inches (69 mm)
  • Second generation - Router: Diameter: 4.33 inches (110 mm)
    Height: 3.56 inches (90 mm)
  • Second generation - Point: Diameter: 4.02 inches (102 mm)
    Height: 3.43 inches (87 mm)
  • Third generation: Width: 4.60 inches (117 mm)
    Height: 5.11 inches (130 mm)
Mass
  • First generation: 12 oz (340 g)
  • Second generation - Router: 13 oz (370 g)
  • Second generation - Point: 12 oz (340 g)
  • Third generation: 15.873 oz (450.0 g)
Website store.google.com/product/google_wifi

Nest Wifi, its predecessor the Google Wifi, and the Nest Wifi's successor, the Nest Wifi Pro, are a line of mesh-capable wireless routers and add-on points developed by Google as part of the Google Nest family of products. The first generation was announced on October 4, 2016, and released in the United States on December 5, 2016. The second generation, distinct in being released as two separate offerings, a "router" and "point", were announced at the Pixel 4 hardware event on October 15, 2019, and was released in the United States on November 4, 2019. The third generation was announced on October 4, 2022, two days prior to the Pixel 7 Fall 2022 event. This generation returned to a single model, doing away with the "router/point" variants, and was released in the United States on October 27, 2022.

Contents

The Nest Wifi aims to provide enhanced Wi-Fi coverage through the setup of multiple Nest Wifi devices in a home. Nest Wifi automatically switches between access points depending on signal strength.

History

First generation

Android Police reported in September 2016 that Google was preparing to introduce a mesh-capable wireless router with enhanced range, along with its October 4 date of announcement and US$129 price point. [3] [4] [5] Google Wifi was officially announced on October 4, 2016, with expected availability in the United States in December. [6] [7] [8] The device became available in the United States on December 5, 2016, [9] in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2017, [10] [11] [12] in Canada on April 28, 2017, [13] [14] in France and Germany on June 26, 2017, [15] [16] in Australia on July 20, 2017, [17] in Hong Kong and Singapore on August 30, 2017, [18] [19] [20] and in Philippines on June 26, 2018. [21]

The first generation Google Wifi features 802.11ac connectivity with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels, 2x2 antennas, and support for beamforming. It has two gigabit Ethernet ports, and contains a quad-core processor with 512 MB RAM and 4 GB flash memory. Wi-Fi access can be controlled through a companion mobile app.

In 2020, Google relaunched the first-generation Google Wifi, with minor hardware changes and at a lower price. [22]

Second generation

The second generation of the product was officially announced at the Pixel 4 hardware event on October 15, 2019, renamed as Google Nest Wifi as part of the company's shift towards its rebranding of all its smart home products to the Google Nest name. It adds a smart speaker equipped add-on point. Internally, a few changes were made, such as a quad-core 64-bit ARM CPU 1.4 GHz and a machine learning hardware engine for both the router and point, as well as IEEE 802.15.4 Thread support. The router has 1 GB RAM and 4 GB flash memory and supports AC2200 4x4 MU-MIMO whereas the point has 768 MB RAM and 512 MB flash memory and supports AC1200 2x2 MU-MIMO.

Feature comparison

ModelIntroducedWifi Standard/
802.11 type
Ethernet PortsMemorySpeaker Thread
support
Matter
support
WANLANRAMFlash
First generation
Google Wifi2016AC1200YesYes512 MB4 GBNoNo
Second generation
Nest Wifi router2019AC2200YesYes1 GB4 GBNoYesComing soon
Nest Wifi point2019AC1200NoNo768 MB512 MBYesComing soon
Third generation
Nest Wifi Pro2022AXE5400YesYes1 GB4 GBNoYesYes

Reception

Technology websites Engadget and CNET praised the device's ease of setup, design and speed, but criticized its lack of customizable options, such as no settings for MAC filtering, content filtering, or Dynamic DNS. [23] [24] The Verge also praised its design and ease of use. [25]

See also

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References

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