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Wi-Fi Direct lets devices talk to each other (podcast)

Wi-Fi Alliances spokesperson tells CNET podcaster Larry Magid about technology that allows devices to talk with each other without a network or hot spot.

Larry Magid
Larry Magid is a technology journalist and an Internet safety advocate. He's been writing and speaking about Internet safety since he wrote Internet safety guide "Child Safety on the Information Highway" in 1994. He is co-director of ConnectSafely.org, founder of SafeKids.com and SafeTeens.com, and a board member of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Larry's technology analysis and commentary can be heard on CBS News and CBS affiliates, and read on CBSNews.com. He also writes a personal-tech column for the San Jose Mercury News. You can e-mail Larry.
Larry Magid

Screen from video by Wi-Fi Alliance about Wi-Fi Direct Wi-Fi Alliance

It's long been possible to connect Wi-Fi-enabled wireless devices to each other via a network or an access point, but the Wi-Fi Alliance has announced that is has begun certifying Wi-Fi Directproducts "capable of making device-to-device connections."  In other words, instead of your laptop sending documents to your printer via your network as is now the case, the new technology will make it possible for the laptop to speak directly to the printer.

To find out how it all works, I spoke with Wi-Fi Alliance spokesperson Kelly Davis-Felner.

Podcast


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