Smarter, safer, faster: Major update to FRITZ!OS 8.50

With FRITZ!OS 8.50 the FRITZ!Box 7690 can now block access from home network devices like smartphones or computers to certain internet addresses (domains). The FRITZ!Box does this by supporting common standards to read in and process lists of undesirable domain names. Users can also resort to publicly available DNS filter lists to filter out advertising, trackers and malware – or even phishing sites, botnets or other unwanted contents. This function will gradually be made available to additional select models as part of the rollout. If a device in the home network attempts to access a blocked address, the FRITZ!Box automatically blocks the query.

With the new Smart Check the MyFRITZ!App displays the current status of the FRITZ!Box directly on the app’s home screen. This way users of FRITZ! products receive useful recommendations, tips and warnings on various topics like internet, telephony, home network, Wi-Fi, LAN, USB, smart home and security – always with specific guidance on fast implementation. The Smart Check indicates when a Mesh connection to a repeater is missing, for instance, or gives tips about how to block unwanted calls to premium phone numbers. The current Smart Check status is visible on the app’s home screen – tapping on ‘Smart Check’ opens the comprehensive analysis.

No more lags during important video conferences when working from home or during gaming sessions: In addition to the previous device prioritization, FRITZ!OS 8.50 now also provides for automatic prioritization of applications that need to run in real time. The FRITZ!Box automatically detects applications like gaming and video conferences and automatically prioritizes them within the home network so that the connection remains stable. Whenever such a connection is in progress, the active prioritzation is displayed directly in the user interface of the given network device and can even be traced back up to 24 hours later. Automatic prioritization will be introduced for selected models in the coming weeks.

With FRITZ! Failsafe – the failover protection of the FRITZ!Box – FRITZ! users always remain online even today. Starting with FRITZ!OS 8.50 it is now possible to use FRITZ! Failsafe directly on the FRITZ!Box 4G and 5G models. For the first time these mobile broadband devices allow for internet access over a LAN socket, for instance, via an upstream ONT on a fiber optic connection. FRITZ! Failsafe then ensures that the mobile broadband connection temporarily takes over internet provision in the home network whenever the landline connection is disrupted.

FRITZ!OS 8.50 also makes telephony with the FRITZ!Fon more accessible: The new ‘Simple Mode’ reduces menu navigation to the basics and maximizes operability. After activation, the selection keys can be used as quick-dial keys, with a specific phone number or function assigned to each key. A special safety and convenience feature is the integrated SOS call: Here up to four emergency contacts can be specified which the phone automatically contacts in sequence in case of emergency. The flexible configuration of call intervals saves valuable time in emergency situations. The update is directed especially to users who value barrier-free, uncomplicated handling.

Starting with FRITZ!OS 8.50, the FRITZ!Smart Energy 200 and 210 smart plugs and the soon to be released FRITZ!Smart Energy 201 indoor smart plug can be configured to turn off automatically whenever a specified current limit is exceed for a defined amount of time. Predefined automations such as ‘Leaving the House’, ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Holiday’ can be created with just a few clicks and triggered with zones (geofences) that were previously configured in the FRITZ!App Smart Home. With the next update it is also possible to combine multiple triggers for routines, among them the zones (geofences) defined on the smartphone. This way you can specify that a routine does not become active until everyone has left the house. In addition, the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro can now be deployed as a Matter bridge. This means that all FRITZ! Smart Home devices and compatible smart home devices from other manufacturers that are registered with the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro can be integrated into an exisiting Matter network from Apple Home, Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Users can also benefit from voice controls.