What is WiFi Direct? We'll explain it to you

More and more devices support WiFi Direct. You can find out exactly what that is in this practical tip.

What is WiFi Direct?

There are now many WiFi Direct generations. But they all have a few things in common:

• WiFi-Direct is a certificate of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
• The Wi-Fi Alliance has over 600 members, including Intel, Apple, DELL, Microsoft and LG. An extensive list can be found here.
• WiFi-Direct enables compatible devices without an Internet connection, HotSpots, modem or router to establish a mutual connection. So you can build a wireless network between two - and sometimes even more - devices.
• The principle is similar to the well-known Bluetooth or the multiplayer mode on the Nintendo DS.
• The range is up to 200 meters.
• Many laptops, digital cameras, smartphones, BluRay players, tablets and WLAN sticks are WiFi Direct certified. A list of devices with a Wi-Fi certificate can be found here.
• In the "Advanced Search" you can search specifically for products with WiFi Direct certificate. Just tick the "Wi-Fi Direct®"
• The new generation of WiFi Direct devices is compatible with Near Field Communication (NFC). Virtually all WLAN-capable devices are capable of this technology, even without a WiFi Direct certificate.
• To do this, you need the near-field proximity API drivers for your network card.
• In combination with Mircast, you can also use WiFi Direct to transfer the image of one device directly to the screen of another device.
• Unfortunately, there are always problems with stability and compatibility with WiFi Direct connections.

We will show you how to use WiFi-Direct in the next practical tip.