Review: WiFi Finder App

Review: WiFi Finder App
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WiFi Finder

Have you ever been in the situation when you really need an internet connection, but have no idea where to find one? Well, the guys at JiWire Inc. have come up with WiFi Finder: an app for the iPod Touch that will show you the nearest internet connection! Best of all, it’s free.

Function (4 out of 5)

The WiFi app is pretty easy to use. When you first load the app onto your iPod Touch, you’ll get a little dialog box asking you if you will allow the WiFi Finder app to use your current location. Say yes to this, because otherwise, this app is pretty much useless.

Once you do that, the app will display a list of free WiFi hotspots within a certain area of your location. You can adjust the maximum and minimum distances to suit your needs. Once you click on one of these names, the app will give you the address. Unfortunately, you have to write down the name of that address, and then put it into Google Maps or you favorite GPS device to get directions to that location.

Convenience (2 out of 5)

I have to say, I found the Wifi Finder app pretty annoying. For one thing, the app doesn’t locate free wireless connections like I thought it would; instead, a user has to put in the name and address of the closest WiFi hotspot. All I got on my screen was Starbucks, Starbucks, and more Starbucks. I expected the app to find a free internet connection, and then connect me to it, but I was wrong.

Another thing I dodn’t like is that the app does not have an integrated GPS system. If you wanted to get instructions to you closest WiFi hotspot, then you would have to write down the address and name of the hotspot, then put it in a different GPS system. That makes this app pretty useless.

The Bottom Line

When you first hear about this app, it sounds like a great idea. Being able to track free internet connections sounds pretty convenient, huh? But when you actually use the app, it turns out to be kind of a headache. All you get is a list of the closest coffee shops, and that doesn’t help much. For that reason, I give this app a thumbs down.