FON, the Spain-based company that has been creating a global network of shared Wi-Fi hotspots, has introduced an advanced Wi-Fi router for the U.S .market that is based on the 802.11n standard.
Introduced Tuesday, the Fonera 2.On Wi-Fi router enables users to run parallel applications and simultaneous uploads and download. External hard drives and other USB devices can be connected to the Fonera 2.0n router, which can take over important tasks from PCs.
"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," said Martin Varsavsky, FON CEO, in a statement. "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. The Fonera 2 On is the first Wi-Fi router that frees up your computer from those tasks. Close your computer, continue uploading and downloading."
The new Fonera router, which is backward-compatible with FON's earlier 802.11g routers, consumes significantly less power than the older devices, the company noted.
FON claims more than 350,000 FON hotspots globally and more than 1.3 million registered users called Foneros. Founded in 2006, FON has attracted funding from Google, eBay, British Telecom, Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital.
La Fonera members can share wireless Internet access with other Foneros as they move from one FON hotspot to another.
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