Wi-Fi Direct to bring secure peer-to-peer networking in 2010
If there's one thing that I've wanted to be able to do for years, it's to set up a direct Wi-Fi connection to another device without having to actually be near a Wi-Fi base station, or going to the trouble of getting an ad-hoc network set up on both devices. This type of peer-to-peer networking is nothing new; back in the Newton MessagePad days we could beam address cards and data between devices through an IrDA connection.Now the Wi-Fi Alliance has announced that this will be possible next year through the use of Wi-Fi Direct. Wi-Fi Direct will come built into many new devices and can be implemented in existing devices through software updates. Wi-Fi Direct competes directly with Bluetooth, and will provide much faster data transfer speeds (using more power, unfortunately). According to the Wi-Fi Alliance,
"The specification, previously code-named 'Wi-Fi peer-to-peer,' can be implemented in any Wi-Fi device, from mobile phones, cameras, printers, and notebook computers, to human interface devices such as keyboards and headphones. Significantly, devices that have been certified to the new specification will also be able to create connections with hundreds of millions of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED legacy devices already in use. Devices will be able to make a one-to-one connection, or a group of several devices can connect simultaneously."I can imagine that at some point in 2010, we'll be able to sync our iPhones using Wi-Fi Direct, directly send address book information to other iPhone-toting people, and enjoy high-speed multi-player gaming fun. Apple is a sponsor corporation for the Wi-Fi Alliance, so adoption of Wi-Fi Direct on Macs, iPhones, and future Apple equipment will hopefully be swift and widespread.
[via MacRumors]
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If there's one thing that I've wanted to be able to do for years, it's to set up a direct Wi-Fi connection to another device without having...
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With this new Wi-Fi Direct technology, Can we access both APâs and Wi-Fi direct protocol clients at the same time, i.e. if 802.11 client is connected to AP broadcast SSID, parrallaly can that cleint be able to access WiFi direct client?
"And enjoy high-speed multi-player gaming fun." Can't you already do multiplayer gaming on the PSP over their ad-hoc Wi-Fi.
October 17 2009 at 10:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWow, just think, in a year our iPhones could be capable of doing something the Zune has been doing since its launch. Namely, wifi syncing and "squirting".
October 15 2009 at 11:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"Apple is a sponsor corporation for the Wi-Fi Alliance, so adoption of Wi-Fi Direct on Macs, iPhones, and future Apple equipment will hopefully be swift and widespread."
Apple was part of the driving force behind Blu-ray and they have yet to include it with any of their computer or even make it a CTO option. Just because they are part of the Wi-Fi Alliance doesn't really mean anything.
(taken almost verbatim from my comment on another blog)
Letâs see: a short-distance radio technology that adhoc connects devices for file sharing, printing, networking and remote control. Man if only there was a way to make it spectrum-hopping to avoid crowding and interference and not consume a lot of power, weâd have the best solution EVER.
Oh wait, Bluetooth accomplished that years ago.
How about you just start enabling all the Bluetooth profiles like everybodyâs been asking, Apple? We know how you like to champion new technology, but seriously: pull your head out of your ass. You already have the best tech out there built into every iPhone. It's disgusting to think that this might be the reason why all my European friends laugh at me when they try to Bluetooth me a sound file with their EIGHT YEAR OLD Nokia and I go "uhhh...I can't do that with my $500 phone.."
Stop buying Apple.
October 22 2009 at 10:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm not sure I understand here. Long before bluetooth got opened up in 3.0, there were iPhone games/apps that connected two iPhones directly without a base station. Is no one paying attention to what actually goes on anymore?
October 15 2009 at 7:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySecure? How long until it's hacked?
October 15 2009 at 4:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply>I can imagine that at some point in 2010, we'll be able to sync our
>iPhones using Wi-Fi Direct,
...um seeing how we STILL with iTunes 9 can NOT sync our iPhone with our own computers on the same wireless network (let alone directly to the cloud) I'm not going to hold my breath for the ability to beam anything between to phones.
Great now I can shoot wi-fi radio signals at people and give my sworn enemies Alzheimer's. Promising is one word for it, I prefer to use the word evil!
October 15 2009 at 1:12 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot damn! This looks promising.
October 15 2009 at 12:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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