FRITZ! Launches New Test Lab for Upcoming Features

German network equipment manufacturer FRITZ! has launched a new FRITZ! Labor, inviting users to test upcoming features of its FRITZ!OS 8.50 operating system. The new test version focuses on improving the convenience, security, and user-friendliness of home networks.

The laboratory version introduces significant updates, including an optimized FRITZ!Box migration assistant. This feature allows users to remove unused devices before transferring settings and provides helpful guidance during the process. Communication and notifications between the FRITZ!Box and the MyFRITZ!App have also been improved, positioning the app as a more central point for home network management and offering users network analysis with optimization recommendations.

FRITZ!OS 8.50 also brings advancements to telephony, such as a new telephony mode where soft keys can function as speed-dial buttons, assignable to contacts or functions. The SOS emergency call feature has been enhanced to allow setting up to four emergency contacts that are called sequentially, with customizable call duration and repetition.

In terms of smart home, the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro will receive a Matter bridge function through the FRITZ! Labor, expanding compatibility with smart home devices. Security enhancements include warnings for potentially unsafe port forwarding configurations and an updated parental control feature that now displays information about the device attempting to access a blocked IP address.

Interested users can participate in the FRITZ! Labor program by downloading the new FRITZ!OS version. The testing begins with the FRITZ!Box 7590 AX model, with support for additional FRITZ!Box models to be added in the coming months. Detailed information and installation instructions are available at www.fritz.com/labor.