(Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, due to Apple’s policy on WiFi finders this item is no longer available in the App Store.)
Lars Bergstrom’s WiFinder is one of those things you don’t know you need until you start using it.
When I’m out and about, I constantly search for open Wi-Fi networks like Beauregard the bloodhound on the scent of an escaped con in stripes. It doesn’t matter if I actually want to connect to a network. I just like to see what’s out there — just in case.
WiFinder does one thing and only one thing: It helps you find open, but not redirected, wireless networks. Launch the app and if there are any wireless networks within range, they’ll appear on a list. The networks are grouped by whether or not they’re open.
Tap a network name and a screen opens with details: MAC address, channel, strength, noise, authentication and whether it’s hidden. Tap the Connect button at the bottom of the same screen and you’re in, assuming it’s not a secured network, of course.
You have the option to scan for networks automatically and at defined intervals. You can also set an alarm to alert you when a network is within range. There’s no way to tell for sure, but let’s assume you’ll consume more battery life than you might otherwise.
WiFinder is free for now, but Bergstrom says in his product description that he’s having trouble getting an update through the App Store review process and until he does, he has decided to make the app free.
What updates are in the works or what price the app will sell for, he doesn’t say. Some iPhone users might find this lack of transparency bothersome.
Meanwhile, it serves the purpose.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Tried, also in a places where open wi-fi connection is available for sure. List of open and closed wi-fi point appeared as it was expected. However, while hitting the “connect” only get an error notification… Checked with other app of the similar purpose – WiFi Trak. Not only same open and closedd points of connection were discovered, but connection was successfully established.
December 6th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Out of curiousity, I downloaded WiFi Trak and tried it under the same situations as I did with WiFinder. In my case, with Wi-Fi Trak, I found one less Wi-Fi connection than I knew existed.
From what I can see. these two apps are quite similar. Why one works well in one area when the other won’t, is no doubt related to the signal strength of the router and the environment.
What I like about WiFinder is that it’s free. WiFi Trak is $0.99 and being a cheapskate, I would rather try the free one first.
Now that I have both apps on my iPhone, I’ll continue comparing the two. If I find out anything worth reporting, I’ll let you know. Please do the same and we’ll see if we can figure this out. Thanks!
December 17th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Hi Michael,
Thanks for purchasing WifiTrak and we look forward to any comments or suggestions for improvements you have. You are correct that both apps are similar. In fact, it was after we downloaded WiFinder that we were inspired to figure out what it was doing and write our own version!
We added a more finished UI and number of convenience features over the basic feature set of WiFinder like auto-connect and we recently added support for connecting to password protected networks.
As for why you get a different set of networks from one or the other that primarily depends upon timing and range. Usually if you set an automatic scan you will get the same set of networks over time and you will notice networks at the very edge of their range pop onto and off of the list.
Anyway no matter which product you are using, enjoy finding the free wifi!
May 18th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Hey I cant find it in the ITunes store. Even I click the link up on the page that says get it on ITunes. It says not availible in U.S. Store. But what’s weird is my friend that is my neighbor downloaded it. He has it on ITunes but yet he can’t find it in the Itunes store either but he still has it. Someone please help me I really want this app.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I just checked and the developer says the app has been removed from the App Store at Apple’s request because it used private APIs, apparently in violation of its policy.
There are many free alternatives: Wi-Fi Finder and Free Wi-Fi Finder, to name two..
July 15th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I downloaded it, click on app, trys to boot then shuts off.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:14 am
I think wifinder is not compatible with 3.0 or later firmware for some reason. As soon as I updated to 3.0 it quit working. Now it tries to boot and then just goes back to the home screen…
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 am
Not available in the Australian iTunes Store – why would this be?
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:14 am
not available anymore! (after apple removed all wifi finder apps).
please remove from your list!