NETGEAR, Inc., a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today announced the new NETGEAR Developer Program, a revolutionary, simple way for developers to create new apps to help customers get more out of the millions of NETGEAR devices purchased every month. In an industry first, NETGEAR has created a huge opportunity for developers to produce apps by leveraging the NETGEAR Smart Network architecture built into an increasing number of its consumer and small-business devices, including a selection of routers, gateways and network-attached storage (NAS) devices.
Developers simply register at the NETGEAR Smart Network website at http://developer.netgear.com, where they can access all the Java®-based building blocks they need to create apps. NETGEAR makes it easy for developers to share or sell their apps through the NETGEAR genie+™ marketplace. For the first time, home and small business customers can remotely download apps directly to their connected NETGEAR devices just as they would to a smartphone or tablet – to expand functionality. No other network vendor offers an app development platform or app store for these types of devices.
"The first technology platform of its kind, the NETGEAR Smart Network is the foundation that will make the smart home a reality. The ability to run apps on devices that are always on and connected to the home network has been the missing link to bring the smart home out of science fiction and make it a reality for millions of consumers and small businesses around the world. We can't do it all on our own. Making the NETGEAR Smart Network a reality will be a joint venture with thousands of app developers and appliance manufacturers globally. We're looking forward to continually engaging new partners and offering new possibilities for consumers and small businesses to benefit even more from the networked world," said David Soares, senior vice president and general manager of the retail business unit at NETGEAR.
Getting started is easy
Developers who are interested in joining the NETGEAR Smart Network revolution can sign up on the NETGEAR Smart Network developer website at http://developer.netgear.com.
Standards-based tools for developers
Whether developers are looking to create simple web apps, drivers or integration software for NETGEAR consumer devices, the NETGEAR Smart Network development platform simplifies the job. Complete, easy-to-access resources are available, including:
- XML APIs: For a technology-agnostic API, developers can leverage the NETGEAR Smart Network Intelligent Cloud app server to enable customers to access their apps anywhere, anytime – or developers can choose to write their own user interfaces and/or hosted applications in the cloud. Plug-ins are provided to enable developers to gain access to the devices and data they need to complete their apps.
- Java bundles: For apps hosted inside the home on NETGEAR always-on routers, gateways or ReadyNAS® devices, developers writing in Java are supplied with libraries, tutorials, sample applications and templates.
- Drivers and native code: The NETGEAR Smart Network platform enables developers to use native code for hard-core device drivers or existing applications.
The one-of-a-kind NETGEAR genie+ marketplace
The NETGEAR genie+ marketplace app store at http://genie.netgear.com expands the possibilities for enhancing customers' connected life with truly smart network apps and offers developers a way to monetize their apps. As with smartphones or tablets, customers can download and install apps directly from their smartphones or laptops to their routers, ReadyNAS devices or gateways simply by clicking and downloading. With NETGEAR Smart Network apps, consumers can customize the functionality of their home network without the need for a full firmware update.
Partners join the app revolution
Symform™ and Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. are among the partners introducing NETGEAR Smart Network apps that enable consumers to expand the capabilities of their NETGEAR devices and enhance their connected lives.
The Qualcomm Skifta™ app provides an easy way for consumers to control, play, view and enjoy music, photos and videos at home or on the move. Regardless of where this content is stored – on the Internet or on home computers – it can be accessed remotely with a smartphone or tablet. There's no need for uploading, copying, moving or smartphone syncing.
"The open architecture of the NETGEAR Smart Network technology platform has made it easy for Qualcomm Atheros to deliver the new Skifta Engine to NETGEAR ReadyNAS customers," said Gary Brotman, director of product marketing, Qualcomm Atheros. "Fans of digital media can now remotely access and stream their music, photos and videos from their ReadyNAS devices directly to their smartphones and tablets from anywhere in the world. When combined with the Skifta application for Android, the Skifta Engine on NETGEAR Smart Network devices makes streaming to connected DLNA Certified® TVs, stereos and game consoles a snap. We look forward to continuing our relationship with NETGEAR and collaborating on innovations that improve the media experience inside and outside of the connected home."
Symform is offering a better way to back up files to the cloud – for free – with its Symform Unlimited Cloud Backup™. Users pay for this functionality with bytes rather than dollars, contributing their local drive space to the network in exchange for cloud data backup. As long as users maintain a ratio of two-to-one of local contribution to cloud space used, they get unlimited cloud backup.
"NETGEAR's focus on security and high-performance network storage devices for small businesses and consumers makes them an ideal partner for Symform," said Matthew J. Schiltz, CEO of Symform, the world's first distributed, crowd-sourced cloud storage network. "With this latest release, NETGEAR customers can extend data stored in NAS devices to the cloud without paying a dime, as they only need to contribute excess drive space to the Symform network in exchange for fast and secure cloud backup."
NETGEAR Smart Network featured at JavaOne Conference
Developers have the opportunity to learn more about the NETGEAR Smart Network platform at the Oracle® JavaOne™ Conference, September 30 through October 4 in San Francisco. Cedar Milazzo, senior program director, NETGEAR Smart Network, will present a session where he will discuss the strategy behind the revolutionary technology platform and ecosystem that enhances the performance of connected devices. He will also demonstrate how third-party applications provide consumers with added value and increased flexibility and how web management capabilities can be used for managing remote access of embedded apps. The session (CON11335), entitled "Developing Embedded and Cloud Java Apps for Routers, Gateways, and Storage Devices," will take place on October 4, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Hotel Nikko, Monterey I/II. Attendees can register for the session by visiting www.oracle.com.
More Information
Learn more about the NETGEAR Smart Network developer's program at www.developer.netgear.com. Learn more about the NETGEAR genie+ marketplace at http://genie.netgear.com. To learn more about other new NETGEAR consumer products and services, please visit www.netgear.com.
