Open Garden Releases FireChat

Open Garden announced today that its newest app, 'FireChat', 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, is a play on the universal digital symbol for love.

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, 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

FireChat 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