Wi-Fi Direct to Replace Bluetooth?

The Wi-Fi Alliance, a global, non-profit industry association promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), has announced a new way for Wi-Fi-enabled devices to connect directly to each another without the use of a Wi-Fi base station or access point. The new protocol, previously codenamed “Wi-Fi peer to peer” is now termed “Wi-Fi Direct.” Wi-Fi Alliance Executive Director Edgar Figueroa said in a statement that Wi-Fi users will be able to benefit from a single-technology solution for transfer of content and sharing of applications easily among devices, even when a Wi-Fi access point isn’t available.  The technology reportedly will compete directly with Bluetooth, which is the de facto standard for direct peer-to-peer device connections.  Unlike ad hoc wireless networking, which also does not require access points, Wi-Fi Direct devices can discover each other automatically.  Advantages over Bluetooth include connectivity at higher speeds and greater distances, and availability of management and security features. The Wi-Fi Direct standard is expected to be published very soon and certification will begin in 2010.