Open Garden releases FireChat, enables off-the-grid messaging on Android

New free app allows you to chat with people around you, even when no Internet access or cellular phone coverage is available.

San Francisco, CA - April 3, 2014 - Open Garden announced today that its newest app, FireChat, is now available on Google Play. The app takes advantage of Open Garden’s proprietary mesh networking technology and gives people the ability to chat with others around them on Android devices - even when no Internet connection or cellular coverage is available.

FireChat demonstrates what's possible over peer-to-peer networks. Whether you’re on the beach or in the subway, at a big game or a trade show, camping in the wild or at a concert, or even abroad, simply fire up the app with a friend or two and find out who else is around and start chatting.

“Many people asked us to bring FireChat to Android. We first launched FireChat on iOS two weeks ago. It was an instant success. FireChat reached the top 10 amongst social networking apps in 80 countries around the word, adding more than one new user per second." said Micha Benoliel, Open Garden’s CEO. “I am proud to say that we are now able to deliver a best-in-class peer-to-peer chat experience to anyone with an Android device. And thanks to its multi-hop capabilities, FireChat may extend the range of peer-to-peer communications significantly."

FireChat enables communication for scenarios such as disaster recovery and public safety. FireChat is also well suited for any situation where you don’t have reliable connectivity including schools and colleges, public transportation, stadiums, clubs, concerts, conferences, conventions, construction sites or outdoor festivals.

About FireChat

The FireChat App is available for free on the Google Play store and at www.opengarden.com.