User-based Wi-Fi locator gains in popularity, utility

November 26, 9:32 AMNY Tech Industry ExaminerJeff Smith

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Free public Wi-Fi is a dream almost realized. Last week, I wrote about the complete and utter lack of free Wi-Fi available around certain parts of the city, and perhaps more important, how there was no reliable way to locate these potential beacons of Web freedom. Earlier this morning, I was perusing one of my favorite technology publications when a headline caught my eye: “Worldwide Wi-Fi Social Network Takes Off.” It seems a new networking site, called WeFi, is taking the world by storm.

By downloading simple software, WeFi allows users to map Wi-Fi networks, see fellow WeFi-ers who are using the same network and communicate with others in the area. According to their website, WeFi is “dedicated to helping you find, connect, and enjoy Wi-Fi anywhere around the world…[by providing] the tools that allow our community to map the global Wi-Fi network.” Herein lies the genius of this service: It leverages Web 2.0 functionality to improve its worldwide data base, thus reinforcing its utility. At present, the WeFi community has discovered over 10,340,000 Wi-Fi networks worldwide. But, can it find free Wi-Fi in Brooklyn?

After downloading the WeFi software, I took a look at the “Find WeFi” function and typed in Brooklyn, NY, USA. Below is the beautiful map that appears with yours truly right in the middle of it.

Unfortunately, those Wi-Fi networks that are encrypted remain as such, but according to WeFi VP of Web and Products Amit Shaked, Wi-Fi access points are opening more frequently without encryption, especially in the United States where, “more than 40% of access points are not encrypted,” Shaked said in the InformationWeek interview.

WeFi is backed by three venture capital groups and they’re hoping to keep current with the times by adding Facebook and Twitter functionalities to their software and by allowing users to download WeFi to their smartphone.

Obviously, I’ll need to take this out for a few test drives, but early indications are that this may finally help me wander the physical localities of New York, while staying connected to the virtual localities of everywhere else.