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Exclusive Review: Windows Live Wifi Center
Microsoft began sending out invitations to a select group of beta testers today to evaluate Windows Live Wifi Center. Currently, the beta is available for download on Microsoft Connect on invitation only. We have reviewed the current beta build and we are very excited about the functionality it has to offer. The software available on Microsoft's beta website is version 1.0, build 237:
The installation is straight forward. Installation requires the MSXML component as a prerequisite only. The installer configures several Windows hotfix updates and requires a reboot afterwards. Starting up Windows, the following screen appears, along with a taskbar icon.
Right-clicking the icon, you have to option to configure settings, open the Wifi Live Center, find hotspots or just connect to the pre-configured (and currently available) networks:
When opening the Windows Live Center, the main GUI appears. There are three tabs available; Available Networks, Find Hotspots and Manage Networks. The Available Networks shows the current available wifi networks along with signal strength and security type. You can right-click the network for more information or to connect. In the dark blue window on top, the current connect network is showed along with an icon of a lock (if it is a secured network) and an icon of a heart (when it is a pre-configured, thus favorite network). Clicking details, will bring up more information about the currently connected network:
The Find Hotspots tab is the most interesting part of Windows Live Wifi Center. It gives you an extensive search box to find wireless access points on your current location. Type in a Country and city name or region and postal code and select whether it should be free, paid or both and the distance to that particular wireless network. Hit search and Windows Live Wifi Center returns a list of hotspots:
Another very interesting component is the View On Map feature. Clicking on that button will bring up a map showing the hotspots. You can get driving directions, copy the information to the clipboard, print or email it to a friend. Clicking on View Details will bring up even more information about the wireless network:
The Manage Networks tabs gives you a list of pre-configured wireless networks on your workstation. You can select to show all networks or only the available. The options available - showing profile, moving up and down networks - are simalar to the functionality already in the operation system:
In the Settings dialog you can configure startup behavior and scanning interval. There's an interesting option called Microsoft 'Locate Me' in the Hotspot Finder tab, but clicking on Learn More gives an dialog box stating this will come soon:
Overall, the value that Windows Live Wifi Center adds is an easy way for finding hotspots in your neighbourhood. As we anticipate that Windows Live Wifi Center will be available for free, when released, it will mainly an ideal extra for travelling (business) users. The current beta build works like a charm and has support for most countries. While we could live without it, Windows Live Wifi Center is a great add-on for anybody using wireless networks while travelling.