WeFi Review

Despite the improved data transfer speeds afforded by technologies such as 3G and EDGE, the swiftest way to get information to and from your Android handset is unquestionably via a Wi-Fi internet connection.

These wireless access points are thankfully popping up all over the place and if you happen to set foot in a large town or city these days you can virtually be assured that you’re within spitting distance of an open Wi-Fi point.

However, given the rapid proliferation of these hotspots it can sometimes be difficult to ensure that your phone is connected to the best one. Thankfully, WeFi has been created to solve this very issue.

The app automatically connects you to known or open access points, saving you the bother of having to manually select which hotspot you’d like to use. If local Wi-Fi points require a password, it will prompt you before connecting; otherwise, it simply hooks you up with the bare minimum of effort.

However, the really clever part is the burgeoning community database that WeFi communicates with once it’s found an open access point. The location of any hotspot you connect with is verified with the database. If it’s a new spot, it’s added to the system so that when another WeFi Connect user is in range, the application automatically connects them to the same point.

This process obviously works both ways – when you’re in the vicinity of pre-approved hotspots then WeFi will can access the community system and will know which ones are the best to connect with.

Naturally using Wi-Fi can be a serious drain on your battery life so thankfully there’s an option to disable the auto-connect feature. The app also has a handy switch for toggling your phone’s Wi-Fi signal on and off with one touch, which saves you having to search for the same feature in the Android’s operating system (it happens to be frustratingly tucked away inside several menus).

There’s even a button which launches your web browser, which means you can get online without even having to leave the comfort of the We-Fi menu screen.

WeFi is a pretty simple concept when you think about it, but the fact that it’s backed by a community-driven database of quality Wi-Fi hotspots is a real benefit and as more and more Wi-Fi access points appear in our towns and cities (many of which are of dubious quality, it should be added), WeFi’s quick selection feature could prove to be indispensable.