A real map view of the Wi-Fi hotspots available in Singapore, visible in the World Wi-Fi App.
Highlights
- Norwood is now commencing public beta testing of its consumer-focused World Wi-Fi App
- World Wi-Fi addresses the three core Wi-Fi usage issues of discoverability, connectability and security
- Norwood is now inviting applications from persons interested in beta testing World Wi-Fi for iOS, with a similar process due to commence for World
- Wi-Fi for Android in roughly 4 to 6 weeks’ time
- Beta testers of World Wi-Fi for iOS will need Apple’s Public Beta of iOS 11 pre-installed on their handset, as this is a prerequisite for running World Wi-Fi for iOS
- The beta testing process will run for approximately three weeks prior to the expected date for the full release of World Wi-Fi for iOS
‘Sharing Economy’ telecommunications pioneer Norwood Systems Ltd (Norwood or the Company) (ASX: NOR) is pleased to announce the commencement of a tightly-scoped global beta testing programme for the Company’s soon to be released World Wi-Fi for iOS App.
The purpose of this beta test programme is to identify and correct any last-minute issues prior to the full release of World Wi-Fi for iOS. This will be the first large-scale consumer test of World Wi-Fi for iOS and the Company is excited to see the initial consumer reaction to the service.
World Wi-Fi a revolutionary Wi-Fi access App that connects to Norwood’s global federated Wi-Fi network using World Wi-Fi’s integrated and sophisticated discoverability, connectivity and security features. World Wi-Fi was chosen in 2016 as a National iAwards Finalist, under the “Most Disruptive Technology” category.
Beta testers of the World Wi-Fi for iOS App will need the latest version of Apple’s public beta of iOS 11 to be pre-installed on their device. It is a strict prerequisite for testing the App, as it uses several of Apple’s latest APIs needed to deliver the targeted user experience.
Given the global nature of World Wi-Fi, Norwood will be looking to maximise the geographic diversity of testers’ locations worldwide. In addition to unsolicited inbound requests, beta testers from around the world are being recruited using a targeted Facebook advertising campaign that will direct users to a landing page on the Company’s website for instructions on how to participate the beta.
Norwood reserves its absolute right to exercise its sole and final discretion on World Wi-Fi for iOS beta tester selections, with no guarantee or promise of selection made to any applicant. Successful beta testing applicants will be notified within 5 days via an email containing instructions on how to download the beta version of World Wi-Fi for iOS along with instructions for reporting any issues or other feedback regarding the usability or functionality of the App.
Typical connection workflow
Varied ambient lighting conditions for Augmented Reality display
Coverage map examples
Norwood’s CEO and Founder, Paul Ostergaard, said:
We are really pleased to see our new consumer App, World Wi-Fi, nearing release and enter the beta testing phase. We have developed what we believe to be the most beautiful, easy to use and secure Wi-Fi access App in the market today, leveraging our Company’s now considerable competency in building high-quality Apps that delight our users and work as advertised. World Wi-Fi for iOS delivers several important innovations, not least being our fun and intuitive Augmented Reality interface to help you hunt down that secure Wi-Fi connection when you really need it! Norwood is leading the market by helping users visualise their potential Wi-Fi connection in the real-world, using state-of-the-art Augmented Reality technology with incredible realism. Even our regular mapping interface takes Wi-Fi coverage visualisation to another level, eschewing the existing and trite ‘pins on maps’ approach. Instead we provide beautifully rendered coverage maps (see cover image above) that are useful and easy to understand at all zoom levels. Possibly our most important feature, however, is the addition of integrated security using on-demand VPN technology to secure every single Wi-Fi connection made using World Wi-Fi. No longer do you have to worry about the security of your communications on an open Wi-Fi access point. World Wi-Fi automatically locks down every single connection, local laws permitting, using our own encrypted VPN tunnels and our own globally distributed VPN termination infrastructure to prevent snooping or other attacks, whilst preserving data throughput performance. Such VPNs can be quite hard otherwise for most consumers to set up, however World Wi-Fi now makes it incredibly simple – just two clicks to connect and secure. With beta testing of World Wi-Fi now upon us, we are excited to see the testers’ feedback on using this revolutionary App and we are looking forward to World Wi-Fi’s public release later this month.