Fonera router gets 802.11n, non-PC downloads
updated 08:45 am EDT, Tue July 14, 2009
Fonera 2n Router
FON today significantly improved its core wireless router by launching the Fonera 2.0n. The device appropriately has 802.11n Wi-Fi for faster speeds and longer ranges than the older 11g model. More importantly, though, it adds USB and dedicated clients for multiple services directly on the router. Owners can download from BitTorrent, Megaupload or Rapidshare to USB storage without turning on a computer; they can also upload photos or videos to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa or YouTube from an attached camera.
Any attached drive also turns into network-attached storage for the private network, which as with other Fonera routers operates separately from the public network key to FON's strategy. Owning a Fonera gives free access to any other such hotspot in the world (including through some BT subscribers) as well as the option of making money by selling guest access. FON is currently charging Europeans €50 to buy the 2.0n, but it should cost $50 once the company updates to allow US sales.
