Software turns Windows 7 laptops into Wi-Fi hotspots

A developer has discovered an unfinished technical feature in Windows 7, and put together the rest of the GUI and drive support to complete the product. This work was done by a company called Nomadio, which specializes in the development of military data networks. Tapping into the uncompleted "Virtual Wi-Fi" feature in Windows 7 allowed Nomadio create a software application called Connectify, which was released as a free beta at the end of last week.

In a nutshell, Virtual Wi-Fi allows the single wireless card found in laptops to be virtualized, simultaneously connecting to an actual Wi-Fi access point while allowing other Wi-Fi devices to connect to it.

Alex Gizis, the CEO of Nomadio elaborated more to PC World, saying: "A year ago, Microsoft talked a lot about this as a big feature in Windows 7. But driver support didn't get finished. The low-level code is in there, but the driver-level stuff isn't. And there's no app or setting in Windows to turn it on."

I have already downloaded the Connectify beta application, which is currently available for free, though I did not have the opportunity to try it out yet. According to Gizis, the final version will be ready in about six weeks, and he will likely charge for it. The software sounds interesting to me, and at least one application of it comes to mind, such as sharing of a hotel room Wi-Fi access with other laptops as well as my iPod Touch.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at PC World

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