New Wi-Fi Tech Makes Devices ‘Aware’ of What’s Nearby

In addition to continuous discovery, Wi-Fi Aware works across device brands to share data bi-directionally and users can opt-in or out of identity disclosure through the app interface.

We reached out to Rich Karpinski, Principal Analyst at 451 Research, to learn more about Wi-Fi Aware’s potential applications. The President of Wi-Fi Alliance, Edgar Figueroa commented saying while Aware runs in the background; the device would be able to retrieve information of nearby devices before establishing an open access connection, making it consume the power efficiently.

There might be a way for someone to spoof a Wi-Fi Aware device so apps will communicate with it, but the system wouldn’t make users much more unsafe than they already are, Farpoint’s Mathias said. That further connectivity is made with a more classic version of Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi Aware devices will enable “contextual awareness” by continually scanning the surroundings for potential services to connect to, according to the alliance. Today, users of these services must instruct their devices to discover other devices or nearby information.

Because it works two ways, Wi-Fi Aware can carry simple conversations between devices. App developers will ultimately be the ones who decides how to use this new Wi-Fi feature. With Wi-Fi Aware, that app could ask the checkpoint how long the wait is and whether there’s a faster line, such as a frequent-flier line, that’s now available. The underlying Wi-Fi Alliance Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) Specification is also available for free download. Wi-Fi Aware closes numerous gaps preventing other technologies from offering a rich experience where users can fully engage with the world around them. Instead, Wi-Fi aware works with a “unique process of discovery and synchronization”. It is thought that one of the main uses of the new functionality will be to personalise the mobile experience of users coming into proximity. “The Wi-Fi Aware certification program provides both a foundation and a simplified approach to creating new generations of proximity-aware products”.

The Wi-Fi Alliance said support for this new technology is “widespread” and it will eventually make its way to smartphones, tablets, and other consumer electronics. – Kevin Tang, Sr.

“MediaTek is accelerating the delivery of leading technology and innovation through all aspects of our business including this important area of context-aware technology”. Apps can encrypt the data they send over Wi-Fi Aware, he said. That bit can take up some big battery life. Wi-Fi Aware’s ability to allow mobile devices to be more in-tune with and better interact with devices in their proximity enables exciting new experiences for consumers. – Gajinder Singh Vij, Director of Product Management, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. Once it’s found other Wi-Fi connections, it starts syncing up together to form a network with what Wi-Fi Alliance calls a “heartbeat”. Since 2000, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, industry-standard security protections, and the latest technology. The technology would allow a variety of businesses and service providers to deliver more personalized mobile experiences, the alliance said.