Apple endorses Wi-Fi Direct for networking without hotspots

[AppleInsider]

Apple and a consortium of other technology companies in the Wi-Fi Alliance have agreed to a new peer-to-peer wireless standard that aims to make it easier for electronics to communicate.

Wi-Fi Direct is expected to be approved for new products by mid-2010, and would allow devices like the iPhone to communicate with one another, or with other forms of hardware, to do tasks like print or share files.

"Wi-Fi Direct represents a leap forward for our industry," said Wi-Fi Alliance executive director Edgar Figueroa. "Wi-Fi users worldwide will benefit from a single-technology solution to transfer content and share applications quickly and easily among devices, even when a Wi-Fi access point isn't available. The impact is that Wi-Fi will become even more pervasive and useful for consumers and across the enterprise."

Previously code-named "Wi-Fi peer-to-peer," the new specification can be applied to any Wi-Fi device, meaning newly certified Wi-Fi Direct devices will have legacy support from previously existing devices. The new standard supports connections between two or multiple devices.

As it offers many of the same capabilities of the current Bluetooth standard, Wi-Fi Direct will likely compete with the existing wireless technology when devices begin to hit the market next year. Apple has embraced Bluetooth in many of its devices, and is likely to release a new wireless mouse and keyboard utilizing the standard in the near future.

Apple is a sponsor member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, joined by top-tier technology companies like Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and Sony. The non-profit industry association is responsible for the Wi-Fi trademark and technology. Devices that meet the alliance's specifications can use the Wi-Fi Certified logo on their products.



"With Wi-Fi technology already shipping in millions of consumer electronics devices and handsets every year, this is a terrific innovation for the industry," said Victoria Fodale, senior analyst and market intelligence manager at In-Stat. "Empowering devices to move content and share applications without having to join a network brings even more convenience and utility to Wi-Fi-enabled devices."

The new Wi-Fi Direct standard is intended for both consumer electronics and enterprise applications. It will include WPA2 security, and management features for enterprise environments. The new technology will use roughly the same power, provide the same data rates, and offer the same range as current Wi-Fi products.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[indiekiduk]

So what is different with this from ad hoc mode (IBSS) that has been in WiFi since the beginning?

I could speculate but I'd rather know the truth thanks...

[teckstud]

How about giving me a WiFI now for my iPhone that holds.

[DanielSW]

I'm intrigued by OnOne's DSLR Remote, but it seems like the requirement for a server app running on a computer/laptop makes this system awkward/expensive for use in the field.

If the iPhone could connect directly via wi-fi to the camera (e.g., newer Canon DSLR) with its optional wi-fi accessory, that would seem to simplify things.

[saj]

This will be the new attraction specially for iPhone.

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by teckstud

How about giving me a WiFI now for my iPhone that holds.

I am kinda feeling sorry for you. It seems that nothing from Apple works for you.

Yet, by all accounts as determined by consumer survey reports, the successes of virtually all of Apples softwares, OS's and hardware, the Apple Store, iTunes and the iPhone, although there have been some glitches, doesn't appear to be the norm.

Yet, you experience otherwise. But then, we know that you are not the norm.

More importantly, you always seem to be at the head of the pack. A rabid infested pack at that.

Perhaps it is best you travel elsewhere. Let us know. We may just like to contribute to your new surroundings. At least, it is something that we can do for our fellow man.

[christopher126]

This is good news! I'm sitting here with my iMac with one pwr cable out the back and one usb cable to my iPhone. A wireless mighty mouse and wireless Apple keyboard.

My all-in-one Brother printer has a very small compact footprint and is wifi (no cables).

I will be getting the new wifi SD card for my camera so that will get rid of my USB cable for it. Next will be Time Capsule which will get rid of a pwr brick, a firewire cable and of course, the ext. HD itself, by combining the router and ext. HD.

Today, I'm buying the SL/iLife/iWork SW pack and a new 3Gs iPhone, the before mentioned wifi SD card and a pair of BT wireless headphones for running and working out (no wires on the headphones).

Gave of all my iPods (stands and usb cables) away now that the 3Gs has the Nike + system included.

Soon the iPhone will be able to update via wifi.

PS. Also have Parallels for the one PC App I have to run (Real Estate MLS) so I don't have to have a Windows PC with all it's wires and cables! Did I mention I hate cables, pwr bricks and wires.

PSS. I have AppleTV, no pwr brick, one HDMI cable and no DVD player next to my TV

Life is good!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Abster2core

I am kinda feeling sorry for you. It seems that nothing from Apple works for you.

Yet, by all accounts as determined by consumer survey reports, the successes of virtually all of Apples softwares, OS's and hardware, the Apple Store, iTunes and the iPhone, although there have been some glitches, doesn't appear to be the norm.

Yet, you experience otherwise. But then, we know that you are not the norm.

More importantly, you always seem to be at the head of the pack. A rabid infested pack at that.

Perhaps it is best you travel elsewhere. Let us know. We may just like to contribute to your new surroundings. At least, it is something that we can do for our fellow man.

Spare me the "I Feel sorry for you" sentimentality. You mean to tell me that you haven't heard from anyone else here that there is a WiFi problem with the iPhone's 3.1 update? Are you blind or simply ignore posts here that have any problems with anything Apple?
My iPhone works splendidly for me- give or take a few things that is hasn't yet delivered.
But if something doesn't work- I certainly will bring it up rather than be comatosed in fanboy delusion as you and others certainly have been.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by christopher126

This is good news! I'm sitting here with my iMac with one pwr cable out the back and one usb cable to my iPhone. A wireless mighty mouse and wireless Apple keyboard.

My all-in-one Brother printer has a very small compact footprint and is wifi (no cables).

I will be getting the new wifi SD card for my camera so that will get rid of my USB cable for it. Next will be Time Capsule which will get rid of a pwr brick, a firewire cable and of course, the ext. HD itself, by combining the router and ext. HD.

Today, I'm buying the SL/iLife/iWork SW pack and a new 3Gs iPhone, the before mentioned wifi SD card and a pair of BT wireless headphones for running and working out (no wires on the headphones).

Gave of all my iPods (stands and usb cables) away now that the 3Gs has the Nike + system included.

Soon the iPhone will be able to update via wifi.

PS. Also have Parallels for the one PC App I have to run (Real Estate MLS) so I don't have to have a Windows PC with all it's wires and cables! Did I mention I hate cables, pwr bricks and wires.

PSS. I have AppleTV, no pwr brick, one HDMI cable and no DVD player next to my TV

Life is good!

I'm glad it all works for you but isn't it rather early to be drinking Appletinis?

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Spare me the "I Feel sorry for you" sentimentality. You mean to tell me that you haven't heard from anyone else here that there is a WiFi problem with the iPhone's 3.1 update? Are you blind or simply ignore posts here that have any problems with anything Apple?
My iPhone works splendidly for me- give or take a few things that is hasn't yet delivered.
But if something doesn't work- I certainly will bring it up rather than be comatosed in fanboy delusion as you and others certainly have been.

Now, now boys...be nice or you both will be moved to the opposite ends of the sandbox!

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by teckstud

I'm glad it all works for you but isn't it rather early to be drinking Appletinis?

It's the 'eco-system" But you are right, I'm hooked!

[lkrupp]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Spare me the "I Feel sorry for you" sentimentality. You mean to tell me that you haven't heard from anyone else here that there is a WiFi problem with the iPhone's 3.1 update? Are you blind or simply ignore posts here that have any problems with anything Apple?
My iPhone works splendidly for me- give or take a few things that is hasn't yet delivered.
But if something doesn't work- I certainly will bring it up rather than be comatosed in fanboy delusion as you and others certainly have been.

Face it, tecknothing, your credibility is 0 on this forum. No one believes any of the drivel you spout. Your user name is laughable. You, like all of your ilk, latch onto a minority of anecdotal reports (from unamed and unverified sources) and present them as gospel and widespread. Then you sancimoniously pound away at them on this forum. Your motives are suspect. Your comptetency is suspect. You are to be ignored. Meanwhile, as your ilk also like to ignore, Apple's reputation for quality and customer satisfaction continues to tower above other tech companies providing similar services and products.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by lkrupp

Face it, tecknothing, your credibility is 0 on this forum. No one believes any of the drivel you spout. Your user name is laughable. You, like all of your ilk, latch onto a minority of anecdotal reports (from unamed and unverified sources) and present them as gospel and widespread. Then you sancimoniously pound away at them on this forum. Your motives are suspect. Your comptetency is suspect. You are to be ignored. Meanwhile, as your ilk also like to ignore, Apple's reputation for quality and customer satisfaction continues to tower above other tech companies providing similar services and products.

Drivel ,drivel.
SO IGNORE ME and spare me your ridiculous analogies and fanbot paranoia mentality.
I have a good rapport with others on here - I could care less what you think.

[anantksundaram]

11 posts, and 7 of them involving teckstud. The usual hijacking of the thread has started up yet again.

Ugh. It has become such a chore, plowing thru this fellow's negativity (and the inveitable responses to it).

Moderators, please, can't you find a way to put a stop to this before this guy irredeemably risks your credibility? Can't one of you muster some cajones to have a serious chat with him?

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by christopher126

It's the 'eco-system" But you are right, I'm hooked!

That's cool that you have such a streamlined system working like that for you actually. I have other needs musically and visually and with my system that requires more sophisticated equipment- not to put your set up down. Enjoy.

[cmf2]

This time I may know what teckstud is talking about. When I unlock the screen on my iPhone at home, it displays 3G first and quickly swaps to WiFi. Although I am not convinced that it is actually dropping the WiFi network given the speed that it reconnects. I think it might just be a reporting issue.

3G provides faster downloads than my ISP right now anyway

Edit: On second thought, I had a second wireless router running for a while with no internet access. Maybe my iPhone was connecting to that, finding no internet access and switching to 3G or to the network that actually had internet access.

[plovell]

Next will be Time Capsule which will get rid of a pwr brick, a firewire cable and of course, the ext. HD itself, by combining the router and ext. HD.

I'm leery of TMs, seeing that many are dying a heat-death about 18 months old. I think I'll go with Airport Extreme + disk. AE has external power brick but it's off in a corner so I don't have to look at it.

[Gazoobee]

Originally Posted by teckstud

... I have a good rapport with others on here - I could care less what you think.

I'd like to see proof of this claim.

I've been here a long, long time (long before you bought your first Apple product), and other than an occasional laugh at your stupid one-liners, I've never seen any evidence that *anyone* likes or respects you or your opinions.

I'm not trying to be funny here. You've made a claim, just like any other claim about a product or anything else. You say people actually "have a rapport" with you? I call it a lie until you can provide some proof.

A "rapport" is a close and personal relationship that relies on communication, understanding, empathy and similar styles of thinking between the two individuals. Nothing personal teckdude, but you are *not* good at any of these things and IMO your thought patterns are (apparently), dissimilar to almost everyone else here.

[kpluck]

This sounds like interesting technology. I was just speaking with a friend the other day how it would be nice to have another "security questionable" technology to worry about that solves a problem that doesn't exist...and what do you know, we get one.

-kpluck

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Gazoobee

I'd like to see proof of this claim.

I've been here a long, long time (long before you bought your first Apple product), and other than an occasional laugh at your stupid one-liners, I've never seen any evidence that *anyone* likes or respects you or your opinions.

I'm not trying to be funny here. You've made a claim, just like any other claim about a product or anything else. You say people actually "have a rapport" with you? I call it a lie until you can provide some proof.

A "rapport" is a close and personal relationship that relies on communication, understanding, empathy and similar styles of thinking between the two individuals. Nothing personal teckdude, but you are *not* good at any of these things and IMO your thought patterns are (apparently), dissimilar to almost everyone else here.

Stop derailing this thread and spare us your "definitions". I have no need to prove anything to you at all - ever.

[buceta]

Originally Posted by kpluck

This sounds like interesting technology. I was just speaking with a friend the other day how it would be nice to have another "security questionable" technology to worry about that solves a problem that doesn't exist...and what do you know, we get one.

-kpluck

Problem that doesn't exist? No broadband service much for you?

The problem does exist and WiFi PtP is the future. More power to the people... and screw ATT and other carriers.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by teckstud

How about giving me a WiFI now for my iPhone that holds.

Or any WiFi whatsoever.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Abster2core

I am kinda feeling sorry for you. It seems that nothing from Apple works for you.

In this situation he has a point. Major WiFi bug yet to be fixed for the last three iPhone software updates. Many people effected. Thousands of complaints on Twitter and on the Apple discussion boards. Effects both my iPhones on any WiFi network. Bug is in the OS. My 2G loses WiFi often now, and my 3G hasn't had any WiFi for about a month. One of these days they'll fix this bug. I heard someone mention it's directly related to the overheating issues, which obviously Apple would never admit to. At this stage I wouldn't be surprised, though I personally think it's a simple yet elusive software bug.

Until they fix it I won't be recommending the iPhone to anyone. Where bugs are concerned in the Mac OS I always seem to escape, but not with the iPhone OS it seems.

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by plovell

I'm leery of TMs, seeing that many are dying a heat-death about 18 months old. I think I'll go with Airport Extreme + disk. AE has external power brick but it's off in a corner so I don't have to look at it.

I take your point.... I've read this also. I do have a backup for my iMac on my MacBook, MobileMe, iPhone, and the ext. HD. Also, make a DVD of just photos once in awhile. I would also get the AppleCare.

Thanks for the heads up.

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by teckstud

That's cool that you have such a streamlined system working like that for you actually. I have other needs musically and visually and with my system that requires more sophisticated equipment- not to put your set up down. Enjoy.

thx!

[paxman]

Originally Posted by Ireland

Where bugs are concerned in the Mac OS I always seem to escape, but not with the iPhone OS it seems.

I have been spared the iPhone 3.1 thing, but had it bad with the OSX 10.4 (or was it 10.5?) wifi bug on my mb. Unbelievably frustrating what with dropped connections every few minutes. And it didn't happen on XP which made it even worse. I hard wired my iMac and printer to play safe. Now, they're all wifi and everybody's happy as pigs in shit. Speaking of which I wonder how the boys and girls at Bluetooth (?) feel about this new proposed standard?

[newbee]

Originally Posted by Abster2core

I am kinda feeling sorry for you. It seems that nothing from Apple works for you.

Yet, by all accounts as determined by consumer survey reports, the successes of virtually all of Apples softwares, OS's and hardware, the Apple Store, iTunes and the iPhone, although there have been some glitches, doesn't appear to be the norm.

Yet, you experience otherwise. But then, we know that you are not the norm.

More importantly, you always seem to be at the head of the pack. A rabid infested pack at that.

Perhaps it is best you travel elsewhere. Let us know. We may just like to contribute to your new surroundings. At least, it is something that we can do for our fellow man.

Amen to that and I'll be the first to "pony up".

[newbee]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Drivel ,drivel.
SO IGNORE ME and spare me your ridiculous analogies and fanbot paranoia mentality.
I have a good rapport with others on here - I could care less what you think.

TeckDud, I think the "good rapport with others on here", along with so much of the "important and insightful " opinions that you delight in sharing, exists only in your mind. Haven't you figured it out yet? You're behaving like the "boy who cried wolf" and every time you sling mud at Apple, just for the sake of slinging, well, it just cheapens your posts even further. People here are starting to catch on and at this rate you'll soon have zero relevance whatsoever. Reading your posts is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. So sad ... so sad.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by newbee

Amen to that and I'll be the first to "pony up".

Originally Posted by newbee

TeckDud, I think the "good rapport with others on here", along with so much of the "important and insightful " opinions that you delight in sharing, exists only in your mind. Haven't you figured it out yet? You're behaving like the "boy who cried wolf" and every time you sling mud at Apple, just for the sake of slinging, well, it just cheapens your posts even further. People here are starting to catch on and at this rate you'll soon have zero relevance whatsoever. Reading your posts is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. So sad ... so sad.

Dude, 2 posts from you and nothing added to the thread or discussion yet I'm sad.
All my posts at least stick to the topic on hand and not childish personal attacks like you do NEWBEE.

[plovell]

Hhmmm. Seems that Airport Extreme + disk is NOT supported for TM. I thought I remembered seeing that it was but that's incorrect. Sorry for the misleading comment.

[Marvin]

It's about time. This will be a peer-to-peer standard that means you don't need a wlan and don't have to disconnect machines to communicate with a device.

I already use the direct Mac to Mac wifi connection as it's much faster than going through a router but the obvious downside is the manual connection every time.

I'm very much looking forward to wifi mice with no lag or dongle. I just hope the battery life holds up. I know my iphone only lasts an hour or so on wifi.

[cwfrederick]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Drivel ,drivel.
SO IGNORE ME and spare me your ridiculous analogies and fanbot paranoia mentality.
I have a good rapport with others on here - I could care less what you think.

its hard to ignore you when youre constantly bitching on every topic. STFU troll.

[anonymouse]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Stop derailing this thread...

HAHAHAHA! Priceless!

[AznZOFIA111]

Excellent, I suppose this improves wireless sync technology,

Personally, I sync all of my address book/cal/notes/etcetc with my laptop every chance I get,
so I hope wireless sync is incorporated into the iPhone soon.
Then my iPhone'll be up to par with my old Nokia.

Originally Posted by cwfrederick

its hard to ignore you when youre constantly bitching on every topic. STFU troll.

Sorry to interject, but I'm having quite the difficulty identifying who the troll actually is on these forums.

Are you having trouble finding the ignore function?
In reference to how Apple does things, I politely request that one of the mods take initiative and create a video tutorial of this important feature. Or would you prefer a one-on-one?

[sdbryan]

Originally Posted by lkrupp

..e. You, like all of your ilk, latch onto a minority of anecdotal reports (from unamed and unverified sources) and present them as gospel and widespread....

I have definitely had problems with wifi on first and third generation iPod touches. This is with the most recent Apple Extreme N router. But this is radio technology in a potentially noisy environment so I am not scandalized. I'd be very pleased if Apple turned on the N radio in the 3G iPod touch which might alleviate some of the problem.

Those issues are not connected to this promising announcement. Using the wifi radios in devices to set up a mesh network clearly has great potential as wifi becomes ever more ubiquitous. I'm surprised and pleased that the industry continues to move in this direction.

[cwfrederick]

Originally Posted by AznZOFIA111

Excellent, I suppose this improves wireless sync technology,

Personally, I sync all of my address book/cal/notes/etcetc with my laptop every chance I get,
so I hope wireless sync is incorporated into the iPhone soon.
Then my iPhone'll be up to par with my old Nokia.



Sorry to interject, but I'm having quite the difficulty identifying who the troll actually is on these forums.

Are you having trouble finding the ignore function?
In reference to how Apple does things, I politely request that one of the mods take initiative and create a video tutorial of this important feature. Or would you prefer a one-on-one?

yes, actually. i was not aware of this function, and probably neither are most people.

i politely accept your one-on-one tutorial offer. please meet me at the top of the nearest tall building.

teckstud is clearly a troll.

[AznZOFIA111]

Originally Posted by cwfrederick

i politely accept your one-on-one tutorial offer. please meet me at the top of the nearest tall building.

FYI, click the user's name on whichever thread you are viewing.
<user name> => view public profile => user lists => Add to Ignore List

That's too many clicks, perhaps AI should add an 'Ignore' button right next to the reply button on each post

[cwfrederick]

Originally Posted by AznZOFIA111

FYI, click the user's name on whichever thread you are viewing.
<user name> => view public profile => user lists => Add to Ignore List

That's too many clicks, perhaps AI should add an 'Ignore' button right next to the reply button on each post

haha, thanks for the tip

[jfanning]

Originally Posted by Ireland

In this situation he has a point. Major WiFi bug yet to be fixed for the last three iPhone software updates. Many people effected. Thousands of complaints on Twitter and on the Apple discussion boards. Effects both my iPhones on any WiFi network. Bug is in the OS. My 2G loses WiFi often now, and my 3G hasn't had any WiFi for about a month. One of these days they'll fix this bug. I heard someone mention it's directly related to the overheating issues, which obviously Apple would never admit to. At this stage I wouldn't be surprised, though I personally think it's a simple yet elusive software bug.

Until they fix it I won't be recommending the iPhone to anyone. Where bugs are concerned in the Mac OS I always seem to escape, but not with the iPhone OS it seems.

Why don't you just return it to Apple, get a refund and buy a device that actually works then?

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by indiekiduk

So what is different with this from ad hoc mode (IBSS) that has been in WiFi since the beginning?

I could speculate but I'd rather know the truth thanks...

my understanding is that right now two devices, say your computer and your printer, need a router device to speak. but under Direct, they can talk directly to each other, even without there being a router around.

Originally Posted by teckstud

You mean to tell me that you haven't heard from anyone else here that there is a WiFi problem with the iPhone's 3.1 update?

the trouble with such posts on boards such as this is that, rather like the Nielsen TV Ratings System, they do not account for everyone. A show that is said to get 1 million viewers didn't actually have all those viewers counted. it was more like 100 viewers in the sample. for all we know those 100 people were the only ones watching said show.

by the same token, the folks that post on blogs like this could be the only ones, for all we know, having a particular problem. the other X million iphone users could be going just fine.

I certainly don't know of any problems the 30 or so folks I know with an iphone have had with their wifi and this is a bunch of junkies that update their software within the first week so I'm pretty sure they are all on 3.1 (a good 25 of them for sure)