Fonera 2.0n available - adds media sharing, shared storage

Remember that Fonera 2.0 wireless router that's been blowing minds in Europe since way back in April? FON has announced today that it's now available Stateside as the Fonera 2.0n. If that weren't excitement enough for a Tuesday morning, the thing has received a slathering of new features, including storage (just supply your fave USB 2.0 drive), 802.11n, and the ability to sync your YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, and Facebook files, as well as clients for managing your RapidShare, Megaupload, and bit.torrent addictions. Just make sure you're not violating anyone's copyrights, huh? The movie industry is struggling enough as it is. PR after the break.

FON Unveils Innovative Web Applications WiFi Router

Caters to Web 2.0 with Faster WiFi, Home Network Access, and Manages File Uploads/Downloads - Even With Your PC Off

MADRID, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- FON today introduced the Fonera 2.0n WiFi router in the US market, combining FON's revolutionary WiFi sharing and money making features with seamless integration and management of popular Web 2.0 services such as YouTube, Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, BitTorrent, RapidShare, and other content -- even while users' PCs are off. The Fonera 2.0n is on sale now at major retailers. This announcement is significant because anyone can now upload, download and synch ALL of their web apps while away from home, without getting stuck for hours waiting for something to load.

"If there's one annoying aspect of the otherwise great internet, it's the time it takes to upload videos, pictures, or download movies, tv series, games, and software from the internet," said Martin Varsavsky, FON CEO. "The Fonera 2.0n is the first WiFi router that frees up your computer from those tasks. Close your computer, continue uploading and downloading!"

Built around the faster 802.11n standard, Fonera 2.0n has a greater WiFi reach and faster throughput than 802.11g routers, and its more powerful processors and sophisticated software enable it to run parallel applications and simultaneous uploads and downloads. A built-in USB hub and Fonera 2.0 management software allows users to connect external hard drives 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 include the ability to backup files to a hard drive, print, or access a remote webcam via WiFi, and convert an HSDPA or 3G dongle to WiFi.

Fonera 2.0n can also help users save money on energy and reduce their CO2 output. A Fonera 2.0n router consumes less than four watts while downloading, instead of a PC that averages 100 watts, so users can reduce their CO2 emissions by 273Kg a year -- equivalent to driving an SUV more than 1,500km per year. **

"The deep integration of online file sharing, social networks, and other Web 2.0 content into our already busy daily lives translates into more hours spent at the computer, greater energy use and more greenhouse emissions," said Varsavsky. "By enabling users to handle basic computing tasks from the router instead of the PC, we're taking a small step towards reducing power consumption without limiting functionality."

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.

Fonera 2.0n is based on open source and developers are encouraged to create and share additional applications.

For further information about the Fonera 2.0, visit www.fon.com.

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.

*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.

[ReaperRob @ Jul 14th 2009 10:30AM]

I think I know what my next gadget purchase is going to be.

[John Batchelor @ Jul 14th 2009 10:33AM]

and the cost?

[AndyG @ Jul 14th 2009 10:49AM]

If it's 50 euros, it's probably going to be under $100

[Art @ Jul 14th 2009 10:52AM]

That's practically a steal!

[Stephen @ Jul 14th 2009 10:44AM]

Where's the link?

[fasteez @ Jul 14th 2009 10:46AM]

between 50 and 70 USD

[fasteez @ Jul 14th 2009 10:48AM]

(+)

http://www.fon.com

[Liam @ Jul 14th 2009 11:18AM]

Does it have upnp or dlna support? Would be cool to connect to my PS3 and have that as my media server.

[dan2600 @ Jul 14th 2009 10:53AM]

i don't think i need something like this

[dj-kenpo @ Jul 14th 2009 11:04AM]

USEFUL COMMENT

[Kaffi @ Jul 14th 2009 11:18AM]

AVOID.. In the normal Fonero 2.0 none of the features are working even satisfactory.. The shared storage gets a max of 200kbyte/sec
it doesn't do torrents properly (max 200kbyte sec limit due to the processor in it)

and I guess this means no more "fixes" for the firmware of the normal fonero 2.0..


They've implemented loads of features, but they're working so bad in the firmware even a year after the release of the fonero 2.0 that they are unusable.

Steer clear...

[Remmelt @ Jul 14th 2009 11:26AM]

The router shown is de Fonera 2.o the n version will look like this:
http://spanish.martinvarsavsky.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/fonera2n.jpg

Thats if the dutch blog is correct: http://blog.fon.com/nl/

[Remmelt @ Jul 14th 2009 11:30AM]

official Fonera 2.0n launch party post
http://english.martinvarsavsky.net/general/launching-the-fonera-20n.html

[WallyB @ Jul 14th 2009 11:45AM]

Does anyone know how many USB ports it has and if it can support the MagicJack phone?

[Beanie @ Jul 14th 2009 11:48AM]

Are they going to be giving these out free like the original? That would rule.

[pagercam @ Jul 14th 2009 12:09PM]

How can they say is available now, text from the launch party claims Sept 15th for Europe and Oct 15th for US. The regular 2.0 model was April for Europe and May for US but still isn't available yet????

[Joshua @ Jul 14th 2009 12:22PM]

Its seems that "available," in this case just means we have our marketing materials ready. Not that its actually available for purchase.

[RackinRico @ Jul 14th 2009 2:19PM]

Like Kaffi said, avoid this unless they somehow manage to develop a proper firmware until then. I really hope this device succeeds, but at the moment the firmware is beta at best.

[Vic @ Jul 14th 2009 5:15PM]

$39.95

https://shop.fon.com/FonShop/shop/US/ShopController;jsessionid=BC4ACD362651C6557C3DA1F9287BE034.BillingCluster

[Eric @ Jul 15th 2009 7:41AM]

I wonder if it will have the same exploitable firmware allowing you to install alternative firmwares like DD-WRT or Tomato.. on the old Fon router that they gave away it was pretty easy to load an alternative firmware.