WiFi Direct uses standard WiFi technology but does not need an existing WiFi network or router and instead utilizes peer-to-peer connections. Also, WiFi Direct is being designed to be as simple as setting up a Bluetooth connection without all the hoopla of connecting devices using current tethering or ad hoc networking for laptops and smartphones.
WiFi Direct also makes good use of existing WiFi devices. For example, any PC or laptop that already has standard WiFi 802.11x hardware can connect to a WiFi Direct-enabled device. That means that if you bought a WiFi Direct printer this holiday season, it could instantly connect to your PCs and other WiFi-enabled devices.
Also, since it is essentially a full WiFi connection, WiFi Direct devices can connect over a much greater range than Bluetooth and with greater data connection capacities and gets rid of the need for a device to have both Bluetooth and WiFi hardware, thus cutting down on hardware and power requirements.
As with most new technologies, there will be questions and issues that will only be answered once they are released. WiFi Direct uses WPA2 to secure the connection, which is fairly secure but not ironclad. How will WiFi Direct devices connect to each other while preventing unwanted persons or devices from connecting? After all, you probably don’t want just anyone in the airport to be able to download all the pictures from your vacation from your digital camera.
Still the possibilites for WiFi Direct devices are exciting. Will you purchase a WiFi Direct device if you had the chance?
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