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Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

wifimapper.com

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Re: Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

#21

Post by icebraining »

secure wrote: post #14

Out of curiosity, what is your reason for using wifi hotspots in today’s world? Personally, I don’t bother connecting to a wifi network anymore (except when I’m at home or at work) because the mobile network is just so fast and convenient. Even when abroad, I just buy a local SIM card and use that.

Cost. Monthly data plans are a waste (I spend weeks, sometimes months, without needing mobile access) and pre-paid packages are limited and expensive.

I could certainly afford them, but considering that Wifi is plentiful where I live, it's not worth it.

Re: Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

#22

Post by rpbertp13 »

secure wrote: post #14

Out of curiosity, what is your reason for using wifi hotspots in today’s world? Personally, I don’t bother connecting to a wifi network anymore (except when I’m at home or at work) because the mobile network is just so fast and convenient. Even when abroad, I just buy a local SIM card and use that.

Cellular data networks in many parts of the world deliver incredibly slow speeds. In those places, the hassle of finding and connecting to a WiFi hotspot is often worth it. I'm currently traveling in the Philippines and malls, restaurants and cafes commonly offer WiFi to attract customers, and it works.

Even when the local network is fast, buying a SIM card may not be an option if your phone is locked and under contract, which is very common for US users.

Re: Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

#23

Post by milankragujevic »

pornel wrote: post #16

Is there a way to try Android beta without going anywhere near Google+? (I'm banned from + for using a pseudonym).

I uploaded a copy of the apk for you. If it's okay with the developers.. link: http://milankragujevic.com/uploads/com.opensignal.wifi-v0.09...

Re: Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

#24

Post by JamesCRR »

wslh wrote: post #20
secure wrote: post #14

Out of curiosity, what is your reason for using wifi hotspots in today’s world? Personally, I don’t bother connecting to a wifi network anymore (except when I’m at home or at work) because the mobile network is just so fast and convenient. Even when abroad, I just buy a local SIM card and use that.

Seems like you don't travel to the countries with poor/oversubscribed mobile coverage (i.e: Argentina).

+1 Funnily enough, I'm in Argentina right now working on the Android version of WifiMapper as we speak.

Re: Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

#26

Post by brendan_gill »

sz4kerto wrote: post #25

Microsoft WiFi Sense does something very similar on Windows Phones.

There are a number of others building hotspot databases like this but mainly taking a purely automatic, heuristic approach. Our plan is to augment this with an engaged community of users who can help curate the database further in a way that isn't possible through an automated-only approach. See my comment below for more details.

Re: Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

#28

Post by wslh »

JamesCRR wrote: post #24
wslh wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seems like you don't travel to the countries with poor/oversubscribed mobile coverage (i.e: Argentina).

+1 Funnily enough, I'm in Argentina right now working on the Android version of WifiMapper as we speak.

Great! we can have lunch next week if you are available.

Re: Show HN: App recommending free Wifi based on hotspot heuristics and crowd-input

#29

Post by ekianjo »

rpbertp13 wrote: post #22
secure wrote: post #14

Out of curiosity, what is your reason for using wifi hotspots in today’s world? Personally, I don’t bother connecting to a wifi network anymore (except when I’m at home or at work) because the mobile network is just so fast and convenient. Even when abroad, I just buy a local SIM card and use that.

Cellular data networks in many parts of the world deliver incredibly slow speeds. In those places, the hassle of finding and connecting to a WiFi hotspot is often worth it. I'm currently traveling in the Philippines and malls, restaurants and cafes commonly offer WiFi to attract customers, and it works. Even when the local network is fast, buying a SIM card may not be an option if your phone is locked and under contr…

Buy a (used) Sim-free phone that's 2-3 years old, it's dirty cheap and will save you much trouble.
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