Long time readers will recall my column in which I spoke of the technology introduced at this years Winter CES, in Las Vegas, and how it was different than simply Wi-Fi in ad hoc mode, and also charted to supplant Bluetooth over time. It was introduced as Wi-Fi Direct, and we all know that directness is good, right?
Today, with the announcement of the certification of devices to the new standard, we are again told about the differences from standard wi-fi, and the differences which are not subtle in the ad hoc vs., Direct arena.
[v3.co.uk]
The Wi-Fi Alliance has started certifying ‘Wi-Fi Direct’ products that allow devices to connect without the need for an access point or internet connection.
Mobile phones, cameras, printers, PCs and gaming devices will be able to hook up directly to share content and applications, the Wi-Fi Alliance said.
Of course this is a possibility only, we know that companies like Verizon and Sprint tend to restrict things that give the customers too much freedom, especially when allowing the possibility can be turned on an off, and monetized.
Over 216 million Wi-Fi enabled handsets will ship this year, and this figure is set to grow at annual rates of 26 per cent through to 2014, the organisation noted.
This is a worldwide figure, and the number of wi-fi handsets for the U.S. will not be commensurate with other areas of the world because Verizon and Sprint don’t have the same choices as the GSM providers, like AT&T and T-Mobile. Still, wi-fi compatibility is showing up in CDMA phones, and it will be great to have the wi-fi direct capability. Offloading pictures to a computer is the first thing I think of, but I’m certain there are tens of other reasons why it will be a boon to mobile phone users.
A Wi-Fi Direct device works by signalling to other devices in the area that it can make a connection. Available devices can be viewed and invited to connect, with two or more connected products forming a Direct Group using Wi-Fi Protected Setup.
Sounds secure, but also sounds power hungry, which is why the fans of Bluetooth are crying foul, when face with that standard’s planned obsolescence. Bluetooth is energy-efficient, and for small devices, getting along with small power sources is an obvious requirement.
Wi-Fi Direct devices include a push-button setup mechanism, and offer WPA2 security protection and typical Wi-Fi throughput and range.
"We designed Wi-Fi Direct to unleash a wide variety of applications which require device connections, but do not need the internet or even a traditional network," said Edgar Figueroa, chief executive of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
"Wi-Fi Direct empowers users to connect devices when, where and how they want, and our certification programme delivers products that work well together, regardless of the brand."
The newly certified devices are also capable of connecting with older Wi-Fi devices, increasing the number of products that can use the feature, the Wi-Fi Alliance added.
James Govenor, co-founder of analyst firm RedMonk, suggested that there is a significant market opportunity for Wi-Fi to fill niches such as embedded devices, in place of Bluetooth that never really fulfilled its potential in this space, and in the enterprise space
"At the moment Wi-Fi Direct is clearly aimed at consumers, but these days consumer technology is enterprise technology," Govenor said.
"I can certainly see some possible applications, such as in smart grids, for example, and sensor and actuator networks for industrial applications."
However, security fears would need to be allayed to satisfy business requirements.
"Any technology has potential security risks," Govenor said.
It should not be a big deal for most, as they will not be using wi-fi direct for passing critically secured information – anyone that uses a radio connection to do so is asking for trouble…and might deserve what they get.
"Just look at Google’s harvesting of private information such as passwords by listening to Wi-Fi while it drove around for Street View. But I don’t see Wi-Fi Direct as inherently insecure."
The Wi-Fi Alliance supported the view that Wi-Fi Direct would have enterprise benefits.
Highly portable tablets and smartphones are experiencing growing adoption within business environments, and the ability to share documents, presentations and videos between a netbook and a device such as an iPad, which lacks USB and SD-card ports, could be invaluable for professionals on the move.
Wi-Fi Direct could also make up for the lack of 3G connectivity in the HP Slate business tablet.
Well, only in the minds of those at HP, but hope springs eternal.
The Wi-Fi Alliance has produced a Wi-Fi Direct video showing possible uses for the technology. The Broadcom BCM43224 half mini card and Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 are among the first products to be certified as Wi-Fi Direct.
Since I has written about this early on, and was sure it would come sometime in the next year (it only took ten months!) I have not looked at buying an iPad seriously, as you can never be sure if existing products will be upgradeable, or if a company like Apple would allow upgrading the devices, as another round of sales to get the benefits of wi-fi direct might be possible.
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