| App turns dual mode phones into WiFi access points |
Apr. 22, 2008
 TapRoot Systems has announced software that lets any WiFi-equipped Windows Mobile phone provide Internet access to other devices. WalkingHotSpot uses a phone's wide-area connection and cellular data plan, acts as a router, and supports up to five 802.11b-equipped client devices, the company says.
WalkingHotSpot (WHS) works by utilizing both radios in a WiFi-equipped cellular phone simultaneously. The cellular radio is used as the network backhaul, while the WiFi radio is used to connect laptops, MP3 players, or any other wireless LAN-enabled device to the Internet. As illustrated in the diagram below, the software apparently also connects to a server operated by TapRoot when operating, though no reason was cited for this.
WalkingHotSpot connects up to five devices via a WindowsMobile phone
WHS operates like any other router, doling out IP addresses via DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol). Therefore, networks can be entirely ad hoc, with no special client software being required. The name of the WLAN created by WHS can be changed, and the network can optionally be protected using WEP encryption.
TapRoot Systems is seeking revenue from cellular carriers, who can license a "professional" version of WHS and offer it to their customers. The pro version supports up to five client devices and features power management functionality that maximizes a phone's battery life. Also offered, however, is a free "basic" version that supports only one device.
Obviously, all the devices connected to the internet via a phone must share its wide-area bandwidth with one another, so performance can vary. WHS lets the phone's user know when the Internet is being accessed (below left), provides statistics on the total amount of data that has been transferred, and lists all connected clients (below right). When such information is not required, the application can run in the background so a phone can be used for other purposes, says TapRoot.
 
WalkingHotSpot provides information on connection status and number of clients
In related news, TapRoot Systems announced it will work with Freescale Semiconductor to "accelerate the commercialization and integration of Windows Mobile 6.1 with Freescale's latest chipsets." The agreement apparently involves the chipmaker's MXC line. MXC launched in 2003 but did not target Windows Mobile until earlier this year. (For more details, see our earlier coverage, here.)
Bob Bicksler, CEO of TapRoot Systems, said "We are pleased to be collaborating with Freescale on the integration of Windows Mobile 6.1 with their latest 3G MXC platform. The combination of Windows Mobile 6.1, Freescale's latest 3G silicon technology, and TapRoot's technology will provide an integrated, high-performance, cost effective platform for differentiated smartphones."
Further information
The basic version of WHS is available from the TapRoot System's website, here. To obtain it, a cellular phone number and a valid ESN (electronic serial number) or IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number must be provided.
Windows Mobile 6.0 or greater is required. Phones that have been pretested and are known to work with WHS include the AT&T 8525 (HTC TyTN), AT&T Tilt 8925 (HTC TyTN II), HTC Touch Cruise, and Sprint Mogul (HTC Mogul), according to TapRoot.
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