Symbian to support ‘WiFi Direct’ protocol

WiFi Alliance has already released the specification for P2P WiFi known as WiFi Direct, And recently Symbian Foundation reveled in June Newsletter, that they are going to implement the Peer to Peer WiFi ( Wi-Fi Direct ) on Symbian OS in 2 phases.

So what is Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer protocol ?

“Wi-Fi Direct is a new specification to enable Wi-Fi devices to connect to one another without joining a traditional home, office, or hotspot network. It 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. So Wi-Fi Direct in a mobile handset context allows the construction of ad-hoc networks between mobile devices, between mobile devices and computers, and with peripherals like printers.

With this new protocol Wi-Fi devices will be able to make direct connections to one another quickly and conveniently to do things like print, sync, and share content even when an access point or router is unavailable. Wi-Fi Direct connections will work at typical Wi-Fi speeds and range, protected by WPA2 security protocols and including WMM Quality of Service mechanisms.”

Some Facts:

1- Wi-Fi Direct does not require new hardware to operate, so vendors may offer software upgrades to support it.

2- Wi-Fi Direct can operate in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, one at a time.

3- Single device in a Wi-Fi Direct network may share internet connectivity with other devices in the Wi-Fi Direct network by creating simultaneous infrastructure and Wi-Fi Direct connections.

4- Wi-Fi Direct supports WPA2 security prorocol & WMM Quality of Service mechanisms.

5- A Wi-Fi Direct network can be one-to-one, or one-to-many.

We are Happy to see Multiplayer Gaming support on Wi-Fi Direct protocol.

Now if you are regularly following us, you may familiar with the Idea of ”Wi-Fi Multiplayer Gaming” posted by our editor Fakhr-E-Alam. The idea is on Being Done stage at Symbian Ideas and also shortlisted on Nokia N8 Make My App contest. We are really happy to know that its actually going to be Done and soon be available on upcoming Symbian devices.

So all Mobile Gamers rejoice – Soon we are going to enjoy Multiplayer Gaming on our mobile devices over Fast Wi-Fi Direct connection. Beside this their is more like File Transferring, Media Streaming, Mobile Printing and the possibilities are endless.

Now its your chance, If you got any Idea which you think can change the way we use our mobile devices, whether its on Wi-Fi Direct protocol or any other ( For e.g. – like Wi-Fi Walkie Talkie)- Just post it over Symbian Ideas site and let it happen.

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