Heise Releases FritzOS 8.50 Firmware Update with Ad Blocker
Heise has begun distributing its FritzOS 8.50 firmware update, which includes an integrated ad-blocking feature. The Fritzbox 7690 is the first device to receive the new version.
Heise Gruppe has commenced the rollout of its latest major firmware update, FritzOS 8.50. The update's most significant new feature is an integrated ad blocker that utilizes DNS filter lists to block advertising and tracking servers across the entire home network. This aims to prevent ads and unwanted tracking from appearing on connected devices.
The Fritzbox 7690, a DSL router equipped with Wi-Fi 7, is the first model to receive the FritzOS 8.50 update. Users can initiate the update manually through the device's web interface or benefit from automatic installation if auto-update is enabled. Heise plans to release the update to additional "current Fritzbox and Fritz Repeater models" in the coming weeks, though specific model names have not been provided.
Beyond ad blocking, FritzOS 8.50 enhances the prioritization of real-time applications, such as gaming traffic and video conferences. This update allows for application-specific prioritization within a single device, an advancement from previous client-based prioritization. Additionally, it introduces new capabilities for mobile Fritzbox devices, enabling the use of a LAN connection as the primary internet source with mobile data as a fallback.
The MyFritz app for smartphones will also receive a new overview page to display the device's current status. While the company has not detailed which specific models will receive the update, devices that previously participated in beta testing are likely candidates for the final FritzOS 8.50 release.