Somewhere in the southern United States, in an office building overlooking the charming Stonelake in Austin, Texas 🤠, lies the headquarters of the Wi-Fi Alliance 🏢. It comprises several hundred companies that produce integrated circuits and promote the standards that form the basis of Wi-Fi certifications. The association also owns the Wi-Fi trademark and the rights to grant the Wi-Fi Certified logo. It’s not hard to guess that they have clients all over the world, and their numbers are growing year by year. One of the achievements that member companies can boast about is the Wi-Fi Direct wireless communication technology. What can it do?
What is Wi-Fi Direct? How does it differ from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi Direct allows two devices, such as smartphones, to connect with each other, enabling the transfer of files, photos, or videos. Its operation is somewhat similar to the Bluetooth protocol, but the most significant difference between them is the range 📏. In the case of Wi-Fi Direct, the distance between paired devices can reach up to 100 meters. A quick test of file transfer via Bluetooth will show that in this case, devices must be within a shorter distance (up to 10 meters, unless you are using Bluetooth 5.2, which allows for greater distances).
Another difference concerning these two standards, which favors Wi-Fi Direct, is the transfer speed. Much depends on the network card you are using, but under optimal conditions, the speed can reach up to 250 Mb/s. Transferring large files can therefore be significantly less time-consuming than with Bluetooth. Devices can also be paired faster, thus allowing you to spend more time on other enjoyable activities. If you are using a mobile internet package (for example, from Mobile Vikings), you will likely notice that the shorter file transfer time allows you to save data package and use it for what you like to do online 😻 (and it’s certainly not watching memes or cats...).
What distinguishes Wi-Fi Direct from the regular Wi-Fi standard?
With Wi-Fi Direct, a device does not need to be connected to a local network 🖧. Data transfer therefore does not affect the network load or potential internet speed reduction. When using Wi-Fi Direct, the network is also secured 🛡️ against possible attacks or unauthorized modifications by intruders.
How does Wi-Fi Direct connection work?
To establish communication between devices using this technology, at least one of them must support this function. If it has a built-in Wi-Fi Direct card, nothing stands in the way of a successful connection. To check this, simply go into settings and enable Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi Direct should appear among the options. The device will search for other wireless devices within range and connect to them. This happens regardless of whether they are connected to a network or not. Then, it becomes possible to transfer files quickly and securely 📨, protected by WPA2 encryption.
Phones are just the beginning of a long list of wireless devices that can work together thanks to this technology. Most modern Android devices have this feature. Following are:
- laptops,
- printers,
- speakers,
- televisions,
- cameras,
- game consoles,
- And many more.
Global electronics giants have long knocked on the door of the Texas association requesting permission to use the Wi-Fi Direct standard. This is why today we can quickly and conveniently print documents without a tangle of cables, as well as take advantage of the ability to instantly transfer various types of heavy files.
Wi-Fi Direct – how to pair devices and share internet?
Similar to Bluetooth, pairing devices via Wi-Fi Direct is child's play and intuitive. It's easiest to explain using a phone.
- In its settings, you need to find the "Wi-Fi Settings" option and select "Wi-Fi Direct".
- The device will find the hardware it can connect to wirelessly. When its name appears on the screen, simply click on it.
- The next step is to allow pairing from the receiver's side.
- Once this process is successful, you can select the desired file on your phone and share it using Wi-Fi Direct. The data will then be transferred exactly where you expect it.
Sharing internet via Wi-Fi Direct
It's similar with internet that you want to share with friends 👪 (also see how to make a router from a phone). The difference is that you don't need to give them the Wi-Fi password, as you would with a hotspot from your smartphone. Just get a mobile internet package from Mobile Vikings, click "Share via Wi-Fi Direct," and use it as much as you want.
As a cherry on top 🍰, let's mention the ability to cast the screen from your phone to your TV monitor. In this case, details on how to do this should be available in the device's user manual.
While this technology won't open a portal for you to another dimension or transport you to the past (e.g., to a Viking drakkar), the standard has enough advantages to be used every day and on special occasions. And your friends, to whom you share your internet package with, will surely be eternally grateful.
