Wi-Fi hotspots have been the subject of some debate in the past. Some people believe that a wireless router is required to enjoy wireless internet services. But a Wi-Fi hotspot is much more than a router. It is actually an access point, which enables you to establish a wireless network anywhere in your building or home, as long as there is an available Wi-Fi hot spot for you to connect to. The hot spot is usually a battery operated radio transmitter, which sends and receives radio signals within a certain area. These signals are then picked up by the device you are using, such as a laptop or cell phone, which allows you to connect to the network you want.
There are two types of Wi-Fi hotspots you can enjoy; single-mode and multi-mode. In a single-mode hotspot, you can enjoy a single wireless network (such as your own). In a multi-mode hotspot, you can enjoy several wireless networks (such as your neighbor's), which means you can connect to different places concurrently. Here are some of the popular devices you can use in a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Mobiles like the iPhone and Blackberry allow you to take advantage of a Wi-Fi hotspot. To do this, simply hold your phone's Wi-Fi adapter in the earpiece like you would hold a conventional cellular phone. When you are within a few meters of the signal, the icon on your phone will turn to show the symbol of a Wi-Fi network. This will also work if you have an Android phone, which supports MMS. Simply move your phone closer to the signal to make it easier to see.
Places where you can use Wi-Fi Hotspot
You can also enjoy mobile wi-fi hotspots in cars. A new service called Phone Reserve lets you place your smartphone - like the iPhone or Blackberry - into the car and still access the internet. The connection is quite reliable and there are no delays when surfing the web. The downside is that you cannot use your smartphone while the car is in motion. If you are taking detailed notes or want to check your email, you might find this feature annoying.
Some manufacturers include Wi-Fi support in their smartphones. For example, the iPhone has the iPhone Wi-Fi hot spot application, which lets you use your Wi-Fi connection to access specific apps and web pages in your iPhone. Some manufacturers include personal hotspot applications in the phones for users who want to save on data roaming charges, especially in countries such as the U.S. and UK where cell phone signals are not fully reliable.
Some people are also now opting to go with Wi-Fi hotspot plans that provide unlimited data transfer. These options are great if you often travel to work and you need to be connected at all times. They also allow you to connect to the internet while on the move, although it is not always reliable. There is no point in having a high-speed internet connection when you are stuck in a coffee shop waiting for a friend. Personal hotspot plans are quite popular for people who often take wireless flights and want to stay connected while they are on the move.
One of the latest kinds of Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity is referred to as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. This service works via a laptop or tablet and it allows you to make voice calls over the internet instead of using your regular cellular phone. You can purchase software that will allow you to make VoIP calls from anywhere in the world for no extra cost. This is a great option if you frequently travel to other people's houses to stay in touch, as your phone will be switched off while you are away.
The final option, you have to use a Wi-Fi hotspot network is called tethering. Tethering is similar to using an online mobile phone service, but instead of connecting to the internet through your laptop/tablet, you connect to it using another device such as a mobile phone or a USB stick. tethering works well if you often have multiple computers in different locations, or if you use your laptop/tablet whilst travelling. The most important advantage of tethering is the way it improves the speed of your internet connection - it works by making your laptop/tablet think it is being connected to the internet through Wi-Fi hotspots when it is in fact just another USB device.