5 ms·

Thanks, but shouldn't these features be optional? I still don't get why I need a Google Account.

by andresmanz 11y ago

sjs382 11y ago
These features are the value proposition. If you don't want them, a different router might actually be better for you.
- ebiester 11y ago
  I thought the value proposition was a better designed antenna and intelligent on-board bandwidth prioritization.
- ksk 11y ago
  >These features are the value proposition Asking for an explanation or complaining or criticizing a product is good and should be encouraged. Companies should expect negative feedback if they release products that consumers do not like. In fact this helps the Companies too in making products that people want. I don't quite see why you're telling people to "take it or leave it". That applies to every single product in existence, and I would hazard a guess that most people here are aware of it.
  - sjs382 11y ago
    I'm not saying that it's "take it or leave it". I'm saying that if you're unwilling to use a Google account for this, then (in all likelihood) it probably isn't the best product for you. The same way that if you're unwilling to use an Amazon (or Apple) account, the Kindle (or iPhone) isn't going to be the best product for you.
cmrdporcupine 11y ago
The router is cloud configured from your mobile device, that is how it works. Some cloud services for the device are actually optional. But AFAIK you still need a Google Account. Here is the help page on the topic of data collection and privacy: https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6246642?hl=en&ref_topic=6246470&vid=1-635755221172142181-18127440739027856314 https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6246642?hl=en&ref_to... And see also, how to set a whole bunch of privacy settings: https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6279845?vid=1-635755221172142181-18127440739027856314#change https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6279845?vid=1-635755... Disclaimer: I work on the project. I am not a spokesperson or legal or marketing, or anything like that.
- mtgx 11y ago
  That's bullshit. It should use something like Thread or Bluetooth 4.0 to let you configure it from your mobile device, which already assumes you'll be in the same room with the router in 99% percent of the cases. There's no reason for this to be sent over the Internet, when you're both in the same room.
  - TeMPOraL 11y ago
    I wouldn't phrase it so negatively but I do share the same sentiment. I think this is the craziness that seems to be so widespread that people don't notice how crazy it is - the primary way for two devices sitting few meters from each other to communicate should not be routing packets around half of the planet. I get it's easier, but it's bad engineering, unnecessarily wasteful energy-wise and I bet the only reason this is the default is for companies to lock people down and make money on data.
    - vmateixeira 11y ago
      Totally agree.
    - wstrange 11y ago
      "unnecessarily wasteful energy-wise" This is just for setup right? So the energy cost is insanely trivial, hardly worth mentioning.
      - TeMPOraL 11y ago
        I'm making a general point here. In case of this router, one-time expense is indeed hardly worth mentioning. I just dislike the whole trend.
        londonsexplorer 11y ago
        The general point is "local direct communication is hard and unreliable". Your phone falls back to 3G - connection broken. You're on "HouseWifi" and the other device is on "HouseWifi_5Ghz" - connection broken. You have a router with a guest mode and stops guests accessing the local LAN - guest can't print or chromecast or whatever.
odbol 11y ago
They are optional. You have the option of just buying a different device.
- Killswitch 11y ago
  No way! I deserve the best, and I also deserve the best without giving up anything nothing notta zilch! /s
  - mnglkhn2 11y ago
    You're actually giving up $200. Quite a good chunk of change. And no discount for my meta data passing through Google.
    - psykovsky 11y ago
      Uh, I think that's the discounted price... ;)
7952 11y ago
I understand the sentiment but I can see a certain logic to using a Google Account. It gives some protection against an attacker using a default password (as with every other router in the world). Also the hardware could be locked to a particular account in case the firmware is reset and you return to a welcome page. Also it seems preferable that Google should use it's existing infrastructure instead of creating something new just for this.

Thanks, but shouldn't these features be optional? I still don't get why I need a Google Account.

sjs382 11y ago

These features are the value proposition. If you don't want them, a different router might actually be better for you.

ebiester 11y ago
I thought the value proposition was a better designed antenna and intelligent on-board bandwidth prioritization.
ksk 11y ago
>These features are the value proposition Asking for an explanation or complaining or criticizing a product is good and should be encouraged. Companies should expect negative feedback if they release products that consumers do not like. In fact this helps the Companies too in making products that people want. I don't quite see why you're telling people to "take it or leave it". That applies to every single product in existence, and I would hazard a guess that most people here are aware of it.
- sjs382 11y ago
  I'm not saying that it's "take it or leave it". I'm saying that if you're unwilling to use a Google account for this, then (in all likelihood) it probably isn't the best product for you. The same way that if you're unwilling to use an Amazon (or Apple) account, the Kindle (or iPhone) isn't going to be the best product for you.

cmrdporcupine 11y ago

The router is cloud configured from your mobile device, that is how it works. Some cloud services for the device are actually optional. But AFAIK you still need a Google Account. Here is the help page on the topic of data collection and privacy: https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6246642?hl=en&ref_topic=6246470&vid=1-635755221172142181-18127440739027856314 https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6246642?hl=en&ref_to... And see also, how to set a whole bunch of privacy settings: https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6279845?vid=1-635755221172142181-18127440739027856314#change https://support.google.com/onhub/answer/6279845?vid=1-635755... Disclaimer: I work on the project. I am not a spokesperson or legal or marketing, or anything like that.

mtgx 11y ago
That's bullshit. It should use something like Thread or Bluetooth 4.0 to let you configure it from your mobile device, which already assumes you'll be in the same room with the router in 99% percent of the cases. There's no reason for this to be sent over the Internet, when you're both in the same room.
- TeMPOraL 11y ago
  I wouldn't phrase it so negatively but I do share the same sentiment. I think this is the craziness that seems to be so widespread that people don't notice how crazy it is - the primary way for two devices sitting few meters from each other to communicate should not be routing packets around half of the planet. I get it's easier, but it's bad engineering, unnecessarily wasteful energy-wise and I bet the only reason this is the default is for companies to lock people down and make money on data.
  - vmateixeira 11y ago
    Totally agree.
  - wstrange 11y ago
    "unnecessarily wasteful energy-wise" This is just for setup right? So the energy cost is insanely trivial, hardly worth mentioning.
    - TeMPOraL 11y ago
      I'm making a general point here. In case of this router, one-time expense is indeed hardly worth mentioning. I just dislike the whole trend.
      - londonsexplorer 11y ago
        The general point is "local direct communication is hard and unreliable". Your phone falls back to 3G - connection broken. You're on "HouseWifi" and the other device is on "HouseWifi_5Ghz" - connection broken. You have a router with a guest mode and stops guests accessing the local LAN - guest can't print or chromecast or whatever.

odbol 11y ago

They are optional. You have the option of just buying a different device.

Killswitch 11y ago
No way! I deserve the best, and I also deserve the best without giving up anything nothing notta zilch! /s
- mnglkhn2 11y ago
  You're actually giving up $200. Quite a good chunk of change. And no discount for my meta data passing through Google.
  - psykovsky 11y ago
    Uh, I think that's the discounted price... ;)

7952 11y ago

I understand the sentiment but I can see a certain logic to using a Google Account. It gives some protection against an attacker using a default password (as with every other router in the world). Also the hardware could be locked to a particular account in case the firmware is reset and you return to a welcome page. Also it seems preferable that Google should use it's existing infrastructure instead of creating something new just for this.