Launching Fingbox: from idea to distribution in under a year

If you’re using a network security and scanning tool at home then there is a strong chance you have adopted Fing – the free network scanner for iOS and Android with over 25 million downloads. Following the success of their app, the founders of Fing decided to launch their first hardware product called Fingbox. Less than a year ago, Fing kicked off an Indiegogo campaign to raise the necessary funds and today sees the public availability on Amazon (in US and Canada initially) for their new device, Fingbox. With over USD $1.6m raised, all 20,000 backers have already received their Fingbox devices.

The Fingbox offers a comprehensive network security and troubleshooting toolkit that can help with anything from tracking who is online to detecting WiFi attacks; providing your home network multiple levels of protection.

Going from an idea to raising funds, to production and distribution in less than a year is no easy feat and Fing turned to Ubuntu Core to help make Fingbox a reality in such a short space of time. Fing needed an OS that had the necessary traits for both flexibility and scalability. Using snaps, the universal Linux packaging format, also offered the remote upgrade abilities and security that Fing required when deploying devices in consumer’s homes.

“We are delighted Fing has selected Ubuntu Core for their popular Fingbox product. With more and more connected devices entering the homes of consumers, there is an increased risk of vulnerabilities and the possibility of one infected device infiltrating the entire network,” said Mike Bell, EVP of Devices & IoT at Canonical. “Ubuntu Core enables Fingbox to automatically upgrade to the latest software version ensuring end users always have the latest security and functionality updates seamlessly. For further ease for customers, if an upgrade cannot be completed the device will automatically roll back to the last working software version ensuring it always remains functioning.”

“We are thrilled to have shipped all Fingbox units to our Indiegogo backers. They have made the project a success and we can’t wait to share with everyone what’s in store for the future of Fing” said Carlo Medas, Co-founder of Fing. “We chose to power the Fingbox with Ubuntu Core because of its innovative software update management and its very secure Linux operating system. As we plan to continuously improve the Fingbox software, Ubuntu Core’s auto-updating features creates a seamless experience for our users.”

Fingbox is available to order now on Amazon in the US and Canada for USD$129 and includes a lifetime subscription to the standard Fingbox services. Elsewhere, it can be brought from Fing directly.