NETGEAR, Inc., a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, has launched its newest dual-band 802.11ac wireless router, Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (R7000). Soaring above the competition to provide the best performance with the world's fastest Gigabit WiFi speed, Nighthawk combines a powerful 1 GHz dual core processor with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port and NETGEAR Beamforming+ to boost speed, reliability and range for unmatched connectivity in the home.

Nighthawk's blazing-fast combined WiFi connection speeds up to AC1900 WiFi (600 +1300 Mbps) make it ideal for bandwidth-hungry activities such as online gaming, video streaming, and for supporting the increasing number of mobile WiFi devices in the home. High-power WiFi amplifiers and three external antennas provide outstanding coverage around the home, inside and out - even in the garage and back yard. Wireless HD streaming can be enjoyed at its best thanks to Nighthawk features such as downstream Quality of Service, Beamforming+ and built-in iTunes server compatibility.Gaming enthusiasts will thrill to the way Nighthawk's AC1900 WiFi, 1 Ghz dual core processor and advanced upstream Quality of Service are optimized for online gaming with exceptionally low-lag game play, making milliseconds count. Nighthawk automatically gives bandwidth priority to Xbox, for a frustration-free gaming experience.

"NETGEAR designed Nighthawk to be the best WiFi router in the world today, bar none. Our goal was to make the best router for data-intensive activities such as online gaming and video streaming," said Sandeep Harpalani, NETGEAR director of product marketing for Core Networking. "We've listened to the demands of high bandwidth users and packed Nighthawk with features to surpass their expectations for speed, range, sharing, reliability, ease of use and security - the must-haves for enabling an increasingly connected digital lifestyle. Simply put, Nighthawk is for anyone who wants the best."

Nighthawk includes a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port which is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. Content on a storage device attached to the USB 3.0 port can be accessed and transferred quickly across the network, making it ideal for streaming video to DLNA enabled screens around the home. Content can also be kept safe with NETGEAR ReadySHARE Vault, free software for automatic backup to a USB hard drive connected to Nighthawk. Mac users will be pleased to know that Time Machine is also supported.

Fastest WiFi Supports Advanced Features
NETGEAR Beamforming+ is a smart, signal-focusing technology that boosts the speed, range and reliability of WiFi connections by locking onto a wireless device on the network and pinpointing WiFi signals directly at the device. With Beamforming+, Nighthawk focuses its WiFi signals on phones, tablets and laptops throughout the home to deliver the best experience for fast downloads, clearer voice over internet calls, uninterrupted HD video, and lag-free gaming. WiFi devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, MacBook Air, and other 802.11ac devices will deliver particularly outstanding performance with Nighthawk.

Along with the other industry-leading next-generation dual band 802.11ac wireless products from NETGEAR, (www.netgear.com/fastestwifi), Nighthawk is also compatible with legacy 802.11a/b/g/n standards to provide optimum performance and compatibility with all WiFi devices.

NETGEAR has packed several advanced capabilities into Nighthawk:

• Dual Core 1 GHz processor to boost wireless, wired and WAN-to-LAN performance
• High-powered amplifiers with 3 external antennas to extend WiFi coverage
• Advanced QoS automatically recognizes and prioritizes streaming and gaming applications
• ReadySHARE Vault, a free software application for automatic Windows-based PC backup to a USB hard drive connected to Nighthawk
• Compatibility with Apple Time Machine for automatic Mac backup to a USB hard drive connected to Nighthawk
• SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port that's up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0
• VPN support that ensures secure access to your home network
• Customized free URL to create an FTP server
• Open source firmware for download from www.myopenrouter.com, the premier online community for NETGEAR's family of open source and open platform routers.
• Five Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and four LAN) if you want fast wired connections

Nighthawk naturally includes the many features you already enjoy on other NETGEAR routers:

• NETGEAR genie app for easy network monitoring and management
• NETGEAR MyMedia to find and stream photos, video or music files anywhere on the network
• Free Live Parental Controls
• ReadySHARE USB access, ReadySHARE printer, and AirPrint support
• Guest networks and NETGEAR EZ Mobile Connect for scanning a QR code to connect your guests' mobile devices
• WPA/WPA2 highest level of wireless security
• No CD required for easy set up with smartphones, tablets and ultrabooks

Pricing and Availability
Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (R7000) is available now via major retailers and online at an MSRP in the U.S. of $199.99.