14 DAY TRIAL // WeFi, a company headquartered in the US and Tel Aviv (Israel), is planning to create a global map of wireless hot spots which will be used as reference for community members who need to access the Internet on the go. More than that, WeFi is offering free software for laptop and handset users that can enhance their devices' ability to find and connect to Wi-Fi hot spots in a certain area. A rather old Q&A with WeFi CEO Zur Feldman over at Computerworld reveals how WeFi plans to make money out of the whole deal.
WeFi claims it is creating the first open global Wi-Fi network "for the people by the people." The Tel Aviv-based company claims that when WeFi is loaded onto your MacBook or iPhone, for example, the software "enhances your existing WiFi management software with a more powerful connection tool."
WeFi then automatically detects and qualifies all Wi-Fi access points within range and connects you to the spot with the best connection it finds. If the WeFi software detects a new access point, it allows you to be the first to map it. Mr. Zur Feldman explains it best:
"We also have algorithms written into the software that automatically connect your device to the best available hot spot," Mr. Feldman told Computerworld. "If, for example, you had a mobile device and you wanted to download an application and there are several hot spots in your area, you could literally walk from one area to another and not lose your connection. We have the ability to connect one Wi-Fi area to the next seamlessly, as long as they have an overlapping range," Zur Feldman explained further on. "You can basically have an experience like a cellular phone experience, because we check and test the hot spots automatically, and we are able to connect you without even noticing," Feldman added.
When asked how the company plans to make money with this free service, Feldman replied using key terms such as "location-based advertising" and "google."
WeFi confirms that its free-to-download software also provides users with Instant Messaging tools. These allow owners of a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop or mobile device to create a buddy list and see where their friends are currently connected.
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