National broadband provider iiNet today revealed a new model in its BoB ADSL integrated router range, noting its latest all-in-one internet and fixed-line telephony device would be available by April and have the same name as the original model manufactured by Belkin.
Designed by iiNet’s internal engineering team, the new iiNet BoB sports ADSL2+ functionality, as well as latest 802.11n Wi-Fi standard, a handset with a full colour screen to enhance ease of use and dual VoIP capability to support two phone numbers from two providers.
It will also support iiNet’s fetchtv internet video platform, which the company normally restricts to customers who use its BoB routers. The device does support IPv6, but not gigabit Ethernet. A full specifications checklist is available online (PDF).
IiNet general manager Steve Harley said the new BoB was the result of long-term research on what customers loved about the device’s predecessor. “We learnt a lot from the original BoB and after selling more than 70,000 units, we got a feel for what customers are looking for when looking for an all-in-one home internet solution,” he said.
With regard to the design, Harley said the new BoB would have an “even” sleeker design that would complement the suite of iiNet products available. Moreover, he said new BoB would feature a built-in answering machine and parental control functionality and would be ready to face network changes. “With the future in mind, iiNet BoB is fetchtv compatible and will be ready to go when the National Broadband Network is rolled out,” he said.
IiNet used to produce BoB in partnership with Belkin, but in December 2010, after having introduced Bob Lite, its first device to be designed, developed and distributed internally, the DSL provider announced the release would constitute the start of a future line-up of in-house built products. Today, Harley reiterated iiNet would expand its portfolio of iiNet Labs’ devices.
“The introduction of iiNet BoB into our suite of products is part of our plan to grow our product development within iiNet Labs and set ourselves apart with an innovative offering combined with outstanding customer service,” Harley said.
He concluded manufacturing the products in house would allow iiNet to be more competitive and to reach more Australian customers. However, he said at this stage a retail price for iiNet BoB was yet to be set: “Manufacturing the product ourselves means that we can offer the product at a more competitive price than ever before giving more Australians the opportunity to enjoy iiNet BoB’s style and functionality.”
Image credit: iiNet
Clearly BoB will become a loss leader for the internet plans.
This may be a good thing.
“This is my brother Bob……this is my other brother Bob”…
No 3G option?
it might have a 3G option as where the usb icon sits to the left of it says storage/3g
Where did that picture come from? It looks like a photoshop job… not that that has anything to do with anything :)
D’oh missed the “Image credit: iiNet” line at the bottom…
no gigabit???
Nup no gigabit. I know … it seems crazy. I think they are probably just trying to cut costs.
Won’t be about cost.
Generally, 10/100/1000 transceivers tend to be cheaper than 10/100 transceivers these days, because more of the faster ones get made, so they can go cheaper by volume.
Very strange not to offer it, particularly since the main NBN build is still slated for mid-2012, they could end up with a lot of BoB’s under-dimensioned for end user NBN connections.
Odd.
I guess it’s similar to how when you buy a PS3 or an Xbox, they come with like a 120GB or 250GB drive. Surely it’s actually more expensive to have a smaller capacity drive than to install a (much more common) 500GB drive or something.
The only thing I can think of is that they’re getting excess stock of “previous generation” technology for dirt cheap… but surely there’s not that much of it to go around?
The device pictured does not look user friendly to me.
I think it’s the touch buttons for the answering machine on off stuff that is putting me off.
The compare sheet shows 3G with a tick. The first Bob didn’t get that.
Does it have battery backup? If so how long does it last?
It has wireless N but only 100 Mb. Does not compute.
I was actually keen to get this, until I read the about the lack of giga ethernet. :(
Yeah, personally I simply cannot imagine why anyone would buy a router in 2011 without gigabit Ethernet. And for a router to support 802.11n and not gigabit Ethernet is just mind-boggling.
Yeah, offering N – (up to ~600Mbps) – but only allowing 100Mbps of potential uplink is non-sequitur to say the very least.
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