FON has launched its new “applications router” the Fonera 2.0n which is not only an 802.11n router, nor is it just a faster way to share your internet connection and in return get access to other peoples FON routers, as the new model really packs a lot of great new features.
The Fonera 2.0n might not look like much at first sight, but FON has done an amazing job adding new features to this router and unlike the previous FON devices, this is a full on router rather than a more basic internet connection sharing device with WiFi.
For starters, the new Fonera 2.0n has four wired Ethernet ports, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and a front mounted USB 2.0 port. The USB port allows you to attach a 3G dongle either as your main internet connection which can then be shared over WiFi, or as a backup solution should your wired connection stop to work for any reason. It’s also possible to attach a USB hub to the USB port and attach external hard drives, USB web cams and even printers to the Fonera 2.0n.
The new software features include support for Torrent downloads, a YouTube video uploader, photo uploading for Flickr, Picasa and Facebook, the ability to download files from Megaupload and Rapidshare and even Twitter support where your router will tweet when a download or upload has finished. Check out the video below for some more details about the new software features.
Most of the new functionality seems to rely on web browser plugins, and the demo video below is using FireFox, but so far there’s no word on compatibility with other web browsers. FON will also be adding more applications over time and these are meant to be easy to install by a single click from the Fonera 2.0n dashboard. FON has already promised a media server update which is currently listed as “coming soon”.
The application platform is open, so hopefully there will be a lot of great 3rd party add-ons coming out soon as well. You can also use the Fonera 2.0n to give none FON users access to your internet connection and at the same time make some money from it, although unless you live in an area where people could easily access your router, this might be the least useful feature of the new Fonera 2.0n.
FON is also working on an Android and iPhone application that will allow you to connect to the Fonera 2.0n over WiFi or 3G and control it remotely. This is really neat for when you’re away from home and don’t have your notebook with you.
Price wise the Fonera 2.0n is very competitive at €79 ($99) which really isn’t bad value for what you get. The Fonera 2.0n is currently only available in Europe and the US, but other regions should be getting it soon. You can find out more details here
