Fonera 2.0 Press Release
From FON Wiki Beta
FON Introduces the New Fonera 2.0
Turn off your computer, keep downloading and uploading!
MADRID—April 21, 2009—FON today introduced the Fonera 2.0 WiFi router, combining all the revolutionary WiFi sharing and money making features of FON with home networking. Fonera 2.0 handles independent up and download functionality that works seamlessly with the best of the Web 2.0 – YouTube, Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, BitTorrent, RapidShare, and Megaupload for starters. Sales will begin in Europe where the new Fonera 2.0 is priced at a very affordable €49,95. Fonera 2.0 will be available in the United States later this year — on July 1.
“The new Fonera 2.0 runs Linux, and supports BitTorrent and services like RapidShare and Megaupload, so you can set downloads to run without firing up your computer,” says Nilay Patel of Engagdet.
“This collection of features is fantastic, and exactly what a router should be doing,” said Charlie Sorrel of Wired News. The Fonera 2.0 is not just “a simple translator between us and the outside Internet, but…” is also, continued Sorrel, “a hub for all our networking needs, including NAS and 3G.”
Fonera 2.0 has a USB port that allows users to connect an external hard drive and other USB devices. This enables users to share data wirelessly, upload videos or photos automatically to YouTube, Flickr, Picasa and Facebook, or download* torrents or files directly from BitTorrent, RapidShare, and Megaupload without a computer running at the same time. Additional features available with the Fonera 2.0 include the ability to backup files via WiFi to a hard drive, print, access a remote webcam, and connect an HSDPA or 3G dongle and emit WiFi. Fonera 2.0 is based on open source and developers are encouraged to create and share additional applications.
Fonera 2.0 can help users save money on energy and reduce their CO2 output. Using a Fonera 2.0 router that consumes less than 4W while downloading, instead of a PC that averages 100W, can reduce CO2 emissions by 273Kg (equivalent to driving an SUV more than 1,500km) per year. **
Fonera 2.0 also maintains all the features of previous FON WiFi routers. Once connected, it creates two WiFi signals, one private and one public, that allow for a secure, wireless Internet connection at home and free access at FON Spots worldwide. Fonera owners can also choose to make money*** by selling FON WiFi access passes or letting guests roam at their FON Spot.
For further information about the Fonera 2.0, visit www.fon.com.
*FON does not promote illegal activities or otherwise violate any applicable laws or intellectual property rights. Disclaimer: you should not download copyrighted material unless you have permission from the copyright holder to do so.
**Calculations based on data from 2009 PC Energy Report.
***Money making functionality not available in all countries.
About FON:
FON started the free WiFi revolution in 2006 with the first Fonera WiFi router and the goal of free, ubiquitous WiFi for everyone. Today, FON has more than 350,000 FON Spots, over 1.3 million registered foneros, and a growing list of Telco partners who add FON functionality to their ADSL modems. Google, eBay, British Telecom, Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital are investors in FON.
Press Contact:
Nina Wiegand
FON
nina@fon.com
FON, the FON logo, and Fonera are trademarks of FON. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.