Googles long-awaited Nest mesh router upgrade supports Wi-Fi 6E connectivity

Date:
Wed, 05 Oct 2022 04:00:21 +0000

Description:
Dubbed the Nest Wifi Pro, the new device connects to the 6GHz spectrum for connection speeds and supports the revamped Home app.

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After a three-year wait, Google is finally upgrading its mesh router
offerings with the stylish (new paint job) and potentially fast (Wi-Fi 6E) Nest WiFi Pro.

The last time Google launched a new Nest Wifi device was back in 2019. With the new Nest Wifi Pro , Google seeks to help home networks better manage wireless devices that share a single routers bandwidth. What better way to support homes than with tri-band connectivity made up of a 2.4, 5, and 6GHz spectrum? And its within that final spectrum where Wi-Fi 6E operates.

While, technically speaking, 6E isnt that much different than a regular Wi-Fi 6 connection , it does allow devices to operate on the 6GHz radio spectrum which has a bigger bandwidth than the 2.4 and 5GHz spectrums. Thanks to this extra room, devices on 6E should experience a considerable speed boost.

Not every device can connect to 6E, however. Nest Wifi Pro does support Wi-Fi 5 for those older devices. Supporting the smart home

The Nest WiFi Pro isnt just a potentially faster router. According to Google, the Wifi Pro will constantly analyze network performance and optimize connections. Itll even prioritize high-bandwidth activities like video calls and streaming. And if it ever detects some kind of connection problem, the Wifi Pro will notify you via the revamped Google Home app with instructions
on how to fix it.

Speaking of which, Google Home offers step-by-step instructions during installation, so you can learn how to properly set up the device. You can
also use the app to run speed tests, share passwords, and create guest networks.

Google claims the Nest Wifi Pro works with most smart devices and can handle several high-bandwidth activities like video calls or streaming 4K content. One router can potentially cover up to 2,200 square feet, but the range depends on various factors like where the router is placed, the size of the house, and even the houses layout.

There are some security features, but details are rather sparse. Google
states you can use the Home app to monitor all the devices on the network and cut the connection on anything you dont recognize. Parental controls onboard the app can restrict Wi-Fi access and block content you dont want kids to
see.

We did reach out to Google asking about the other safety and security
measures built into the Nest Wifi Pro. This story will be updated if we hear back. Availability and future additions

The Nest Wifi Pro goes on sale starting October 27, but you can pre-order right now via Googles store . It comes in four glossy finishes: Snow, Linen, Fog, and Lemongrass (basically, two shades of white, one blue, and one yellow). You can buy one for $199.99 or up to three for $399.99. There are plans to add Matter support to the router so it can serve as a hub for
devices utilizing that new smart home protocol.

This product comes just two days before Google is set to host a big event where people expect to see the official reveal of the Pixel 7 smartphone. Be sure to catch up on TechRadars coverage of this upcoming event .



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/googles-long-awaited-nest-mesh-router-upgrade-s upports-wi-fi-6e-connectivity/


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