New Wi-Fi Tech Will Let Devices Connect Without HotspotsNew Wi-Fi Tech Will Let Devices Connect Without Hotspots

The Wi-Fi Alliance announced that it is working on new Wi-Fi technology that will let devices skip the hotspot and connect directly to one another. The spec will be ready by mid-2010, and should be compatible with existing hardware.Finding ways to pass information between devices wirelessly -- and quickly -- has garnered a lot of attention lately. Bluetooth already does this, but it is limited by range and data throughput speeds. This new technology from the Wi-Fi Alliance threatens to upend the current methods.

According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, it is working to finalize the Wi-Fi Direct specification. It expects to have the spec finalized and certified some time in the middle of 2010, with device certification to follow before the end of 2010.

Devices that are labeled with Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct will be able to pair with one another directly, no need for a local Wi-Fi hotspot. The Wi-Fi Alliance says that the technology will let a wide range of devices, such as mobile phones, cameras, printers, and notebook computers, to human interface devices such as keyboards and headphones, speak to one another sans wires. Current technology limitations will still apply, meaning devices will have to be within 300 feet of one another. Data transfer speeds should equal that of what is already available via Wi-Fi, though.

The Wi-Fi Alliance says that the technology can be used by both consumer and enterprise-grade hardware, and WPA2 security measures will be included standard. Perhaps the best part is that the specification will support Wi-Fi hardware that's already in the market via a software upgrade.

I don't know about you, but sign me up. Anything that makes it easier to pair devices and transfer data sounds good to me.