Are you WiFi Aware?

The Wi-Fi Alliance recently launched a certification program for a new technology and standard called Wi-Fi Aware. But what does this mean?

What is Wi-Fi Aware?

Wi-Fi Aware is an always-on technology that enables devices to discover other nearby devices, applications and information. We think this short video from the WiFi Alliance explains it really well.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xwSYPqqhTsQ

What makes WiFi Aware different from other technology available?

Wi-Fi Aware is based on the Wi-Fi Alliance Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) Technical Specification. It enables devices to discover nearby information and services and initiate interactions with people and services without a connection to a wireless access point.

When a device discovers an interesting service, the device then initiates a high-performance Wi-Fi connection. Meaning devices employing Wi-Fi Aware will be able to exchange information about nearby services or apps in a more energy and data efficient way.

What's more, many existing technologies only conduct one-way communication, which precludes information exchange during discovery. Wi-Fi Aware can support a two-way conversation with other enabled devices and allows for a bi-directional exchange of small pieces of information, for example, location data, sensor readings, and services in proximity.

How will it be used?

So far, common examples cited could be friend-finder, social gaming applications, targeted ads or coupons, or as a product locator inside a marketplace. Proximity has become a critical element of today's mobile connected experiences, and proximity-based applications stand to significantly benefit from the new capabilities of Wi-Fi Aware. Wi-Fi Aware will bring higher contextual awareness enabling more immediate, personalised applications that continuously scan surroundings, anticipate actions and notify users of services or selected preferences. Wi-Fi Aware will make the user's environment much more dynamic and interactive which is surely what most people want.

^{Source: Wi-Fi Aware�: Better Proximity Technology for Personalized Experiences WiFi Alliance July 2015}