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Instabridge: a WIFI sharing app for Android that could change the world

March 20, 2013 By 6 Comments

Let’s say that (a) your Android device was connected to a WIFI network, (b) that both you and a friend or friends have ‘Instabridge’ installed on your Androids, and (c) that you wanted to share WIFI access with your friend(s).

Instead of handing out the password, you could simply ‘give’ him/her access via Instabridge, using your list of contacts on your phone, much as you would send an SMS.

But there’s a peer-to-peer component as well, in that you could decide to give not just your contacts access to any WIFI you access, but their contacts as well.

The result is a network of WIFI hotspots that can extend to people you do not know. Taken to its (theoretical) logical conclusion, it could mean that you could walk across town and always have some sort of WIFI coverage, via friends or twice removed people you don’t necessarily know, friends of friends.

Instabridge Screenshot1Instabrdige Screenshot2Instabrdige Screenshot3

Here’s a video that shows how it works:

 

A few notes:

  • It uses a contacts list: Install Instabrdige and, like Viber or Whatsapp, it will come up with a list of contacts that use Instabridge mined off your phone contacts. Giving access to your WIFI is as simple as messaging a friend.
  • A Key decision: is whether to give access to friends of friends, or even ALL Instabridge users, no matter where they may be. My guess is that most people won’t share with friends of friends, but imagine if everyone did! Of course you can change your mind at any point.
  • You can get a visual representation: of shared WIFI hotspots on a map, which is very cool.
  • You can take access back at will: which is more convenient than changing your WIFI password.

The verdict:

This is a great idea for easily granting WIFI access to friends instead of giving out passwords. It really should be incorporated in the Android OS, because otherwise I do not see if picking up (at the end of the day it is easier to just share your password than get the app installed on multiple devices). Moreover, with bandwidth being charged at a per-use basis in much of the world, giving WIFI access to twice-removed strangers doesn’t seem like it might fly.

But the idea that individuals could create their own decentralized peer-to-peer meta-network of WIFI hotspots is pure genius. Perhaps in the future, but for right now it just may be very ahead of it’s time.

Get Instabridge here (Android; iOS promised soon). More info here.


 
 
 
Samer Kurdi

Samer Kurdi

Has been reviewing software since 2006 when he started Freewaregenius.com
Samer Kurdi

@freewaregenius

March 20, 2013
Samer Kurdi
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  • http://carbonize.co.uk Carbonize

    Can’t see thi staking off. First is the issue you raised of having to have the app installed on all devices, next is the fact you have to share your contact list with this company. It’s just a lot easier to give friends the password. This app reminds me of an argument I had recently with someone who claims nobody should password protect their WiFi so we have an open and free internet but then he also said you should monitor who connects to watch out for rogue users :-/

    • Samer Kurdi

      Actually, Instabridge may be a good compromise with respect to you and your friends’ conversation. Think of it this way: it would be great if you invite everyone to a party that you’re having, but of course that’s not realistic. A good way to filter is by inviting your friends and their friends, which is essentially what Instabrdige is.
      But I don’t see it as picking up, because like you said its easier to just share the password. It would be a great addition to the Android OS though.

  • http://www.portablefreeware.com webfork

    You’re absolutely right that this is important: This thing would be HUGE in many parts of the developing world where infrastructure is limited but smartphones are surprisingly common. They can enable access to health and food information, a stable monetary system, even micro-loans. I’ve had a few conversations with people who are making headway on networks using out-of-fuel satellites (seriously) to connect people in remote areas.

    How to distribute that among users who are spread out over wide areas is a very real and very important question. I kept hoping another android app “Open Garden” would go this route, but seems instabridge beat them.

    Very cool stuff – thanks.

    • http://www.portablefreeware.com webfork

      Jumped the gun there, sorry: I thought this was looking to create a peer-to-peer network between devices. Still a great idea.

      • Samer Kurdi

        Both are great ideas, but probably the time for neither has come yet :)

  • http://www.paleografie.tk Cerberus

    Wow, very interesting and innovative. I really hope this will take off. I’m just a little bit hesitant to give my contact list to yet another application…I’ll keep it in mind, at least. I agree that it should be part of Android!