After more than two years of development, Leaf Networks, LLC has announced the first commercial release of its Leaf 2007 software.

Leaf software, which resembles something along the lines of an instant messenger client, is bringing network and device sharing to the masses.

After a quick (and free) download of the Leaf software from the company's Web site, users are free to create private networks of friends, co-workers, family, and so on.

Next, users simply add other Leaf users to their networks—again, a process reminiscent of your favorite IM client—and in an instant are free to access, and to share, nearly any device attached to the other users' in-home or in-office network as well as to grant other users access to their own local devices.

The possibilities are truly endless as more and more consumer technology becomes "network attached" —from DLNA and DVR devices to game consoles, media centers, storage devices, and of course PCs, printers, and other peripherals. Any of these devices can be shared between users of Leaf almost instantly, says the company. Further, Leaf is "consumer friendly," requiring no knowledge of networking technology and allowing the typical, everyday user to begin using a Leaf network within minutes of downloading the software.

"The practical use of Leaf Networks is almost limitless," says Dr. Jeff Capone, Leaf's chief executive officer. "Users of Leaf Networks' service will be able to engage in activities outside of the constraints of their physical LAN environment."

File and folder sharing is unlike any other file sharing software available today, says the company. The folders and files are only accessible to those members of your network whom you have selected. Files are shared by selecting the folder, then selecting the members of your network you wish to give access. The person viewing the folder can view the folder and the files within it, just as if it were any other folder on their own PC. Users can also enable write permission to the folder. Employing this feature a user can share excess disk space with any of their network members. They can read and write to this folder just as if it were a folder on their local machine, the company says.

Add a laptop as another network member and your files on your PC will follow you whereever you go. Users can share files and folders between a laptop and PC. No need to copy or synchronize files. From the laptop you can view and browse files and folders on the PC as if they were files and folders on the laptop. Give read/write access to files and folders to others. Share disk space. Create a virtual disk to share with friends or colleagues. No need to upload pictures, once you saved the pictures onto your PC, your friends and family have instant access—just as if they were saved to a folder on their own PC.

The unique, patent-pending technology used by Leaf Networks allows a user to create her own personal networks without the need to configure firewalls or routers; that means no matter where you are-hot spot, hotel, café, work-you can still be in the network. Once your personal Leaf Network is formed, your network devices can be shared using one of many plug-ins offered by Leaf Networks. These plug-ins bridge network devices between two or more networks without the need to modify these networked devices. These devices see each other and can communicate directly, just like they were on the same local area network.

"The connection individual users have with members of their networks is a direct connection; there is no 'middleman' or intermediary service or device between users and the members of their networks," says Capone.

To download the Leaf for Windows software, go to Leaf Networks. Versions for Linux and Mac OS are under development.

The Leaf Future

Although only now announcing the first commercial release of Leaf, the product has been in beta for over nine months and has attracted tens of thousands of users who have provided valuable feedback prior to release of the product. The company is in talks with major device manufacturers and OEMs to embed Leaf technology into the next generation of networked devices including home routers, gateways, network-attached storage and digital media receivers.

About Leaf Networks

Leaf Networks is the global virtual network provider that is changing the way people use networks and networked devices, such as game consoles, media centers and servers, printers and network storage devices. Leaf Networks offers consumers a free service that gives them the ability to easily form secure private networks and bring together networked devices with other members of their network. The free software can be downloaded from the company's website, located at www.leafnetworks.net.

Leaf Networks was founded in 2005 by Dr. Jeff Capone, CEO and Pramod Immaneni, CTO. The company's focus is the development and commercialization of its patent-pending "Leaf" network technology. The company is privately held and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.