Combining an increasingly popular Internet connection service with one of the Web’s fastest-growing uses among young people, a community-based global wireless fidelity
network today announced that it’s integrating with a microblogging network.
WeFi Inc. officials say Twitter users who sign up with their service can automatically receive real-time updates of their WeFi friends’ locations. Twitter users also can receive updated messages on changes and events through WeFi by following the newly developed “wefi_twitt” user.
WeFi’s chief executive officer, Zur Feldman, says the new collaboration reinforces his company’s position in mobilizing Wi-Fi
communication.
“WeFi recognizes that social networking and portability are key trends that are shaping the telecommunications industry today,” Feldman said. “By offering our users up-to-the-minute communication with friends, combined with being able to seamlessly connect to the nearest open Wi-Fi hotspot
, WeFi is offering its members a service that is at once innovative, practical and user-friendly.”
According to the company, WeFi’s so-called “mash-up” with Twitter cements the global social networking trend. Officials from the company are calling the new feature the first of its kind to aallow real-time location sharing with friends. WeFi users also are equipped with instant messaging tools and additional community features, to help them communicate with their friends.
The company already has a “mash-up” with Facebook (
News -
Alert), which allows the two Web sites’ applications to interact easily.
WeFi officials say their downloadable software lets users automatically connect to the best Wi-Fi hotspots in their areas.
“Members of the WeFi community are invited to map out open hotspots in any given location worldwide, forming an aggregate picture of all the available Wi-Fi connections,” officials say.
The company was recognized this month as a finalst in the Israel Venture Association’s annual Start-Up Competition. Held in cooperation with Globes, DEMO and Red Herring (
News -
Alert), the competition had WeFi as a finalist in the “Software and Internet” category with Gizmoz and WorkLight.
Michael Dinan is a TMCNet Editor. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
802.11 (Wi-Fi) | X |
The IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN standard is usually referred to as Wi-Fi-Wireless Fidelity or WLAN Wireless Local Area Network. The 802.11 standard has evolved into a number of sub-standards 802.11a/b/g...more |
Internet Protocol (IP) | X |
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Hotspot | X |
Hotspots are the term used to describe WiFi-Wireless Fidelity IEEE-Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (www.ieee.org) 802.11a/b/g PAN-Personal Area Networks. Operating on unregulated FCC...more |
Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) | X |
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