NEW YORK, May 25, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- CeBIT America -- Buffalo Technology, the global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of wireless networking solutions for home, SOHO and SMBs, and JiWire, the source for wireless broadband information, today announced a partnership that will provide Buffalo customers with a quick and easy way to find the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot without the need of an Internet connection. Buffalo will include JiWire's Portable Hotspot Locator software on its AirNavigator installation CD, which comes with all of Buffalo's AirStation wireless networking products.
Hotspots enable Wi-Fi users to access the Internet from just about anywhere: from bookstores, hotels and coffee shops to truck stops, marinas and airports. There are over 21,000 hotspots in the U.S. The number of hotspot users is expected to grow 223% to 30 million worldwide by the end of 2004, according to the Gartner Group.
"Wi-Fi is the 'it' technology of the millennium. Who doesn't love the fact that you can wirelessly access the Internet from just about anywhere?" stated Morikazu Sano, vice president of Buffalo Technology's Networking Division. "JiWire's sophisticated hotspot locator is a natural extension to our high performance wireless solutions. Because you don't need an Internet connection to use it, users can find a local hotspot anytime, any place. We are thrilled to be working with JiWire to provide travelers, on-the-go professionals and mobile students alike with a fast and convenient way to find the nearest Internet connection."
"Wi-Fi and hotspots have transformed every aspect of our culture and lifestyle -- from the way we work and communicate to our everyday habits. We are seeing hotspots pop up everywhere- in stadiums, RV parks and even airplanes," stated Kevin McKenzie, President and CEO of JiWire. "We are very excited to partner with a prominent member of the wireless networking community like Buffalo. Together, we are enhancing the mobile community by providing a simple solution that allows users to find and connect to the Internet from almost anywhere in the world."
JiWire's Portable Hotspot Locator complements any of Buffalo's wireless products, especially Buffalo's wireless notebook adapters, including the latest 125* High Speed Mode(tm) wireless devices.
JiWire's Portable Hotspot Locator headlines its suite of "to go" services that provide users with ability to find Wi-Fi hotspots even when they are offline. The service covers over 39,000 hotspots in 59 countries from most of the major Wireless Internet Service Providers worldwide. In addition to performing a city or zip code search to find the nearest hotspots, users can search by venue type such as hotels, airports and cafes, and whether there is a cost for using the Wi-Fi connection.
Buffalo's products are backed by a two-year limited warranty and toll-free 24/7 technical support. For more information about Buffalo Technology and its products, please visit the company's Web site at www.buffalotech.com/wireless.
About Buffalo Technology
Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. is a leading global provider of affordable, easy-to-use, next-generation wired and wireless network solutions for the consumer, SOHO and SMB markets. Buffalo designs and manufactures world-class products that complement any network environment; including networking, memory, storage and multimedia products. With its new AirStation OneTouch Secure System (AOSS), Buffalo offers the ultimate in ease-of-use and security. The company's commitment to its customers and technological innovation has put Buffalo at the forefront of networking technology and is the foundation for its leading position among the top WLAN vendors worldwide.
About JiWire
As the market leader in breadth and depth of wireless information, JiWire fills a glaring need for a one-stop unbiased source of information to guide today's technology adopters. With customers including AvantGo, CNET Networks, PC World, and USATODAY.com, JiWire offers the largest international hotspot directory detailing more than 39,000 Wi-Fi access points in 59 countries. In addition, authoritative how-to guides, product reviews, and industry news demystify the hype and enable mobile professionals and wireless enthusiasts to leverage a Web without wires. JiWire is the first to aggregate a hotspot directory, wireless industry resources, product reviews, tutorials and community services in one service. Please visit us at www.jiwire.com.
Buffalo Technology and AirStation are registered trademarks belonging to Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
* When operating in High-Speed Mode, this Wi-Fi device achieves an actual throughput of up to 34Mbps, which is the equivalent throughput of a system following 802.11g protocol and operating at a signaling rate of 125Mbps.