Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

arstechnica.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

91–100 of 196 posts

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#91

Post by warrenm »

untog wrote: post #64
seanp2k2 wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly Google's rep for discontinuing support for stuff is why I'm not interested in such a connected device. Will it continue getting updates after Google drops it in 0-5 years? Who knows. Will the open-source community be able to put OpenWRT on it or something to give it life after it can no longer receive firmware updates? Not sure. I do know that my current Ubiquiti and Apple network infrastructure devices will…

What reassurance does Apple give that Google do not?

It doesn't require phoning home to Apple, for one

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#92

Post by victorhooi »

semi-extrinsic wrote: post #85
thrownaway2424 wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your N300 is not getting security updates, but my OnHub is.

Pray tell, security updates for what? My router has all WAN-side management features etc. turned off, WPS is turned off and it has a long random WPA passphrase. Unless someone breaks into my apartment, there just isn't a significant potential for security risks that I'm aware of.

All products probably have (undiscovered) security holes - whether it's issues with the firewall, issues with the management console, SSL vulnerabilities, manufacturer backholes that get discovered later, or vulnerability in the wireless encryption scheme - this is stuff we find out later (if we knew about it earlier, it would have been fixed).

Having security updates pushed to your phone is never a bad thing.

It's the reason why enterprise Linux distro updates promise security patches (but possibly not bug fixes) for such a long period - because people do care about these things. Security patches are a good thing.

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#93

Post by warrenm »

seanp2k2 wrote: post #57
guyzero wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Like how I get a popup notice on my Samsung TV every few days about they're shutting off various apps like Skype on their smart platform? $35 is about the right amount of money a smart TV enabler.

I really wish TV mfgs still offered dumb TVs, even for like $20 less. The features on the many I've played with (access to a lab with hundreds of smart TVs) range from "unbearable delay changing the volume + UI crashes randomly trying to switch set off" (yes this seriously happens on a newer production Samsung with the little click stick selector on the back as the ONLY physical button; turning it off requires clicki…

Non-smart TVs are prevalent everywhere I shop

I have Rokus - don't need much else

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#94

Post by untog »

seanp2k2 wrote: post #51
rdegges wrote: post #3

OnHub is one of the best routers I've ever owned. I've been buying custom router hardware for years -- I even went as far as building my own OpenBSD / PFsense router way back when, but nothing I've ever built (or bought!) has given me the same reliability / stability / speed as the OnHub. I'm seriously impressed with it. Also: the OnHub management app for mobile is AMAZING. It is so cool. Awesome product. Really grea…

Interesting. I was running pfsense since 2006 on a P4 box with PCI Intel pro NICs + WRT54G on DD-WRT, then on an AMD Geode-based HP thin client with an expansion board to give it PCI-E to use a Pro1000/MT card + Cisco Aironet 1200 from eBay that someone flashed LWAP FW onto and couldn't fix so they sold it as parts/not working ($50 IIRC, had to track down the right firmware, took a day of messing with it), and finall…

> Messing with this stuff was a fun hobby and I learned a lot, but now I don't have as much time and it just needs to work.

Fact of life right there. When I was younger I assembled my own PCs, researching the best CPU, case, etc. etc... these days I have a Macbook that I can't even open. Makes me a little sad, but I need something that I can rely on - and I don't really have the time to research and construct my own machine.

I miss it a little, though. While is why it's really fun to play around with Arduino stuff. Reduces it down to harmless hobby level.

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#95

Post by untog »

warrenm wrote: post #91
untog wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What reassurance does Apple give that Google do not?

It doesn't require phoning home to Apple, for one

Google doesn't require phoning home - it'll just continue to use the same software it does today. Similarly, my Apple router phones home to detect when a software update is available. I don't really see the difference here.

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#96

Post by sethrin »

sirtaj wrote: post #89
sethrin wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what circumstances do you foresee the power usage of networking equipment as having more than a notional impact on one's life? (Serious question)

For one: if you live in a place with unreliable power supply (as I do), it dictates how much backup time you get from your UPS.

To clarify, when the power goes out, you are still able to get online? Otherwise it would seem like it would be somewhat pointless to have the networking equipment plugged into the UPS. I have worked online during a power outage using a cellular internet adapter, but obviously no UPS or router was involved there.

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#97

Post by nopinrop »

semi-extrinsic wrote: post #85
thrownaway2424 wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your N300 is not getting security updates, but my OnHub is.

Pray tell, security updates for what? My router has all WAN-side management features etc. turned off, WPS is turned off and it has a long random WPA passphrase. Unless someone breaks into my apartment, there just isn't a significant potential for security risks that I'm aware of.

Those precautions alone won't save you from CSRF and XSS vulnerabilities common in SOHO routers.

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#98

Post by nkw »

kyrra wrote: post #29
ProAm wrote: post #4

Until they discontinue support and turn the service off in a 18 months. It's hard to put any faith in google products anymore, especially with the new alphabet revenue strategy put into place.

The opinions stated here are my own, not necessarily those of Google. If you are referring to Revolv, Nest/Revolv stopped selling the device the day Nest acquired them (Oct 2014), and they are also issuing refunds to anyone that contacts them[0]. The other major hardware cancel I know about was the Nexus Q which Google also provided a full refund for anyone that contacts them. Sure, Google could cancel it, but they s…

Is there a site I can request a refund for my Glass?

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#99

Post by TheSpiceIsLife »

wmf wrote: post #79
vox_mollis wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All due respect, as you don't represent your employer, but a LAN-facing router that is automatically updated by a PRISM partner is an immediate no for those concerned about surveillance (dragnet or targeted) inside the home. Edit: misread the specs, point still stands.

OnHub doesn't have a microphone.

But the other x number of devices connected to it in your home do.

Automatic Security Updates is a contradiction in terms.

Re: Google rolls out “If This Then That” support for its $200 OnHub router

#100

Post by some-guy »

jethro_tell wrote: post #70
some-guy wrote: post #36

I tried OnHub, but unfortunately it didn't have the option to force 5Ghz over 2.4Ghz for devices without going through some hacks. Where I live, 2.4Ghz wireless has 10% packet loss on average, no matter which router I use. I'm happy that routers are finally getting the UX treatment they deserve, and their target market isn't for people who know the difference between the two, but OnHub should keep the nitty-gritty de…

Do you have a router that does this or do you normally just turn of the 2.4Ghz band?

The OnHub router has one SSID, but two BSSIDs that account for each frequency band. Unfortunately, some devices (such as iPhones) cannot choose one over the other, so I have been turning off 2.4Ghz in this case.
Post reply on HN