14 DAY TRIAL // Stefan Weitz, Windows Live WiFi Planning Director, has revealed on the Windows Live Spaces blog the release of a limited beta test of Windows Live WiFi Center's new version. The Beta 2 stage marks the end of a long development period that lasted several months and which will involve 5,000 testers. Weitz announced that the current testing pool will continue to be limited for the given time but that Windows Live WiFi Center Beta 2 will be made widely available in the coming months. The Live WiFi Center aims to bundle security and connectivity into a software solution that will integrate with wireless networks around the globe. The Hotspot locator, Network Management and security characteristics are the built-in options of the system, and Weitz announced that Microsoft will continually diversify the solution's features.
In correlation with the Windows Live WiFi Hotspot Locator beta website, the Hotspot locator will provide "you with the ability to search for free and fee-based wireless networks in countries around the world. The locator shows you the address, description, available amenities, service providers and shows you a map of the location," explained Weitz.
Network Management delivers a complete administration tool with tagging, history and customization features displaying technical details regarding the networks that are available to the user. Microsoft has complemented the product with a free built-in VPN-based security solution to shield a wireless Internet connection.