A re-refresher, from last time they dropped new hardware:

All Fonera routers are open to all Fonera users, meaning that in exchange for providing Wi-Fi to the occasional Fonera-owning passerby, you get to tap into other Fonera users' connections whenever you're away from home. It's a pretty cool idea, but it's not clear that there are enough Foneras in existence for the concept to work in practice, at least in the US.

The company also has telco partners (albeit mostly overseas), who essentially subcontract hotspots to Fonera users. It's an interesting concept even if it's a little cultlike, and for the price—about $70—the Fonera 2n is a solid deal in strict hardware terms.

The company says the product is now out in "major retailers" in the US, though perhaps tellingly doesn't name any. A full feature list below: [Fonera via Ryan Block's Twitter]

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.

To clarify what that means, a little Fonera refresher: All Fonera routers are open to all Fonera users, meaning that in exchange for providing Wi-Fi to the occasional Fonera-owning passerby, you get to tap into other Fonera users' connections whenever you're away from home. It's a pretty cool idea, but it's not clear that there are enough Foneras in existence for the concept to work in practice, at least in the US.

But the new Fonera 2 hardware is attractive in its own right. It is equipped to turn into a NAS with any external HDD, and even supports Time Machine. USB 3G dongles can be plugged in to share a cellular connection over Wi-Fi, and an inbuilt BitTorrent client rounds out the banner features (but there's plenty more to see here, and in the above video). The Fonera will run a reasonable €50 ($70) when it launches in Europe this month and worldwide in May. [Gadget Lab via Slashdot]

They claim the Fontenna can extend the Fon router's range by five to ten times, which ain't too shabby. Now we'll just have to wait and see if they can guarantee that the Fontenna won't melt when used. Then they'll have a winner on their hands. –Adam Frucci

Martin Varsavsky [via Gizmologia]

It is also noted that he isn't the only one dealing with some hot fon problems. A lot of users on the Fon message boards are reporting heating issues, none of which seem to be as extreme as this guys', but nevertheless, a melting router is never a good thing. There is no official work from Fonero, but I would probably suggest disconnecting if the router is getting melty or unusually warm. –Travis Hudson

Out of the box the foneros wireless router has Telnet and SSH turned off. By accessing the buit in serial console you can turn SSH on and access various settings and reflash the firmware.

Oh, and Comcast users: if you ordered your free Fon router, using it actually violates your EULA so you should mod the hell out of it anyway, or at least give it to a non-Comcast user to further expand the Fon network. –Travis Hudson

Accessing serial console on the Fon [DD-WRT]

The router, designed by Cisco, is palm sized. And despite some rumors on the internet, it is not stronger than ye old full sized AP. In particular, I compared it to a Linksys 802.11 A/G router, the WRT55AG. The signal strength for the Fon was only 70% of the bigger router. There aren't any ethernet ports, either. But look at how tiny this thing is? Use this thing as a second AP. And do I need to remind you that this normally $30 router is going for free now. No shipping. No tax.

Go Giz readers! You are the fastest readers on all of the Internet!

OK, so you have to log into the public AP with the user/pass you signed up at fon's website with. That activates your AP. You enter your full info, address to be added into the Fon AP directory, and then you're ready to use both the public and private hotspot. It's a bit disappointing that the AP's control panel is on FON's systems, but that's the price of a free router.
–Brian Lam

[Thanks Chris Null]

Pretty sweet. It's B and G compliant, It has separate SSID for other wandering FON ronin, and one for private use, and I'm assuming some sort of bandwidth throttling so the tourists don't soak up your river of torrential downloads. I hope. The router let's you customize the public login page with a profile, making it a kind of myspace page in meatspace.

There are also plans where you can make money off your hotspot, instead of getting unlimited roaming privileges. The router is about palm sized, using 4 watts of power total, so I'm not sure what kind of range you'll get out of it. But man, $5 bucks seems pretty good if you're in need of an extra router, and don't mind sharing a bit of bandwidth. Me? I need every last bit for my net habits. Has anyone noticed the lack of many open access points out there these days? How about you? –Brian Lam

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La Fonera [Fon]

To participate in the program you have to agree to share your Wi-Fi network for 12 months and if you agree to participate in the program then you are allowed to roam all other FON hotspots free of charge. For those not participating you can still access the FON networks for $3 per day. Could cause some legal headaches? Yeah, most likely, but it is still a neat idea, nonetheless. – Travis Hudson

Information Page [Via ZDNet]

Now FON has gotten a bit of a turbocharge from global P2P phone pioneer Skype, another company that knows a little about putting a wrench in the works of the fat-ass telcos of the world. Skype has plunked down an unspecified amount of money as an investment in this new FON company, which has exponentially multiplied from zero users to more than 3,000 in just 90 days. Is it a revolution driven by the power of community? We can only hope. Viva la revoluci n!

FON Site

Skype invests in FON to increase Wi-Fi availability