When COVID kept people confined to their homes, remote work setups were a godsend. Amid the lockdowns, businesses maintained a steady stream of revenue as employees managed day-to-day operations using their PCs and from the safety of their homes. Remote office setups defined work culture during these dire times.
Of course, remote work wouldn’t be possible without a steady Internet connection. This is why key to the growth of remote work in the early 2020s were the technologies that made it happen, namely Internet browsers and routers. However, this is far from the only aspect of modern life where these remote office essentials are leaving their mark.
All-In-One Functionality
The innovations of the past decade or two seem to follow a distinct pattern, one heavy on achieving multifunctionality. The evolution of smartphones leans on the principle of using a vast range of apps in a single platform. In another example, modern printers integrate a variety of capabilities: fax, scanning, and Wi-Fi connectivity, to name a few.
It’s a phenomenon that The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson in 2009 coined as the “Swiss Army Knife Theory of Technology.” That same year, Amazon and Barnes & Noble allowed their e-books to be accessed outside dedicated e-readers.
Routers aren’t new, as much of their technology is based on the older modem. However, until recent decades, both were separate pieces of hardware. No one can say when the lines between modems and routers began blurring, but the combination is appreciated.
While some still prefer a separate modem and router, combination modems are popular as a budget option. Their compact design lets them serve as two devices for a lower cost than buying separately. They aren’t without their drawbacks, such as lower signal strength and network speed, but are usually good enough for video calls and virtual meetings.
The same can be said about browsers, having advanced beyond their primary purpose of accessing websites. Certain browsers like Brave and Opera feature built-in virtual private network (VPN) functionality, while Chrome isolates tabs as separate processes to limit crashes to one tab instead of the entire program.
Given these features, it isn’t hard to see why people aren’t eager to give up remote work. If anything, remote or not, certain jobs such as IT professionals are growing more lucrative. According to Motion Recruitments 2025 IT Salary Guide, the year-over-year (YoY) growth for IT and tech salaries in 2024 was 1.8%, which is slightly down from 2% in previous years.
Open Source Firmware
Any technology that’s “open source” means that it can be modified to suit the user’s needs and redistributed as their proprietary hardware or software. Most open-source systems are free (though advanced features may be locked behind a paywall).
Routers and browsers can operate on open-source codes like any hardware and software. In the latter’s case, they enable browsers to be installed and used free of charge, such as any browser that runs on Chromium (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Opera). Their developers make money through other means like ads and partnerships with other tech brands.
On the other hand, it’s a little complicated with open source on routers. While the physical router costs money, the router software can be free thanks to examples like OPNsense and pfSense. But not costing a cent isn’t the only thing they have going for.
- Better security: Open source codes can be viewed and reviewed by the public at zero cost, which includes security experts, something that proprietary codes are often reluctant to do (at least their developers).
- Consistent updates: ISP-provided routers rarely receive firmware updates, as their manufacturers prefer releasing new models over updating existing ones. Those that operate on open-source software receive longer-term support.
- Usable on legacy systems: Open-source router software is designed with new and old computers in mind. It can run on as little as 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of hard drive space, though investing in higher-spec computers is still recommended.
The growing preference for open source is apparent, the latest example being the release of the OpenWrt One in December 2024. Made in cooperation with the nonprofit Software Freedom Conservancy, this router can be installed with any router software of the user’s choice (OpenWRT comes with the router by default).
As of this writing, the router has sold over 700 units on AliExpress. And at USD$89 apiece, it’s one of the most affordable in the market.
Artificial Intelligence
These days, it’s hard to talk about exciting tech innovations without mentioning AI. From its promises of efficiency to discussions on ethical use, AI seems an inescapable reality as far as next-generation systems are concerned.
Whether that’s a good or bad thing is a topic for another time. One fact that’s clear is that browsers and routers are integrating AI-assisted features to improve overall performance and open new possibilities.
One router that has everyone talking is the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI, unveiled at the recently concluded CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Marketed as the world’s first AI gaming router, it features a tri-core neural processing unit designed to optimize connectivity and energy efficiency while gaming.
Meanwhile, browsers have long embraced AI, with Chrome arguably on the bandwagon the longest. Some of its AI-assisted features include:
- Google Lens: Search function that uses image recognition technology
- Help Me Write: Feature that automatically generates writing suggestions
- DevTools AI: Provides possible solutions to code errors upon request
Chrome’s list of such features is slated to grow longer with a slew of planned features to be introduced later this year. Just this February, Google revealed the imminent rollout of an AI-powered system that automatically changes user passwords on sites it believes have been compromised.
Conclusion
Beyond mere remote office essentials, routers and browsers are poised to change the way people define tech in the next several years. They quickly adapt to current technologies that show promise in giving users a more convenient experience, be it for conference calls or casually browsing the Web.
