Open Garden Releases FireChat

New app version enables 'off-the-grid' communication between Android and iOS devices.

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Jun 24, 2014, 09:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Garden announced today that its newest app, 'FireChat <3', is now capable of cross-platform 'off-the grid' communication. For the first time, people can chat with those around them, even when no Internet connection or cellular coverage is available, and regardless of whether they use an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android smartphone or Android tablet. The app's name, FireChat <3, is a play on the universal digital symbol for love.

Open Garden is a San Francisco-based startup dedicated to connecting the next 5 billion mobile devices through peer-to-peer technology. (PRNewsFoto/Open Garden) (PRNewsFoto/Open Garden)

FireChat leverages and illustrates the new possibilities of peer-to-peer mesh networking technology. The app enables live and anonymous discussions on mobile devices, both on and off-the-grid. Whether you're on the beach or in the subway, at a big game or a trade show, at a concert or traveling abroad, you can now fire up FireChat with a friend or two, find out who else is around and start chatting.

"With summer around the corner, it's time to spread the love and open the walled gardens of peer-to-peer communications. We named this release FireChat <3, aka 'FireChat Love', because it brings people together," said Micha Benoliel, Open Garden's CEO and co-founder. "Up until now, off-the-grid messaging between iOS and Android was not possible. Now there is a bridge between these islands. This takes us one step closer to our vision of helping people connect, even when there is no infrastructure. In doing so, we enable communications off the grid, off the expensive data plans, and off the privacy invaders."

FireChat is well suited for any situation where there is no reliable connectivity including schools and colleges, public transportation, stadiums, clubs, concerts, conferences, conventions, construction sites or outdoor festivals. FireChat also enables communication for scenarios such as disaster recovery and public safety.

About FireChat <3

FireChat <3 is available for free on the App Store and Google Play at GetFireChat.com.

FireChat uses mesh networking to give people the ability to chat with others nearby, even when no Internet connection or cellular coverage is available. On iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, FireChat takes advantage of Apple's Multipeer Connectivity Framework. On Android smartphones and tablets, FireChat uses mesh networking technology developed by Open Garden.

FireChat features and capabilities:

Chat with anyone around you on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android smartphones and tablets
Works even without any Internet connection or cellular phone coverage
See what people are talking about all over the country in the 'Everyone' mode
Create your own 'firechats' for live and anonymous discussions
Use the 'Nearby' mode for off-the-grid communications, up to 210 feet of your location
Multi-hop capabilities extend the range of off-the-grid communications
Easy: no Facebook or email login, no password to remember
No significant impact on battery consumption
Available in English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish

About Open Garden

Open Garden is a San Francisco-based startup dedicated to connecting the next 5B mobile devices with peer-to-peer connections by leveraging the density of mobile devices.

Open Garden was recognized as the Most Innovative Startup when it was debuted at TechCrunch Disrupt NYC 2012, and was the Grand Prize Winner of the GMIC startup competition in October 2013. Since then, more than 5 million people have installed an Open Garden app. https://openwireless.org/

https://openwireless.org/

Keywords

Messaging, Chat, Peer-to-peer, iOS, Off-grid communication, Internet, Wireless, Mobile, Chat Off the Grid, Android

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Email: [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140624/120786

SOURCE Open Garden