In a time when connectivity is vital for practically all of our daily activities, the security and efficiency of the Wi-Fi networks we use have become of utmost importance to ensure an optimal experience. Whether it’s a video call, cloud gaming, or a simple download, choosing the right network among several options is essential, but how do we do it?
In a café, in a library, which network is better? The only option nowadays is to connect, see if it uses Wi-Fi 6E, run a speed test and decide. However, Apple has taken a step that could change our interaction with public Wi-Fi networks. As reported by The Mac Observer, the company has filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a system to classify public Wi-Fi networks according to multiple criteria.
A public Wi-Fi network evaluation system
According to the patent description, the system designed by Apple collects data about Wi-Fi networks in a way that does not identify the user or their exact location. With this information, a map of available Wi-Fi networks and their characteristics will be created. This will allow devices to evaluate and classify the available networks, providing labels such as “High quality,” “Popular,” and “Suspicious” in the device’s Settings application.
In addition, this system will not only inform us about the quality and popularity of the network, but it will also alert us about possible security risks, indicating if it would be better to avoid a specific network. This way, without having to access each of the different networks, we will be able to make informed decisions about whether or not to connect to a particular Wi-Fi network.
There are many instances in which, in a public place, a Wi-Fi network tries to impersonate another. A simple modification in the name, such as adding an underscore before, for example, makes them appear higher in the search results, attracting devices that connect to these networks when they should not.
There are some public network evaluation projects, but none with the respect for our privacy like Apple’s proposal. With the patent, the company reaffirms its commitment to ensure that the data collection necessary to evaluate Wi-Fi networks will not compromise the identity or location of users.
Remembering the best tricks to improve Wi-Fi coverage and speed on our iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it is important to keep in mind that not all patents become products or features released to the market, this is an idea that we could well see arrive in a future iOS update. A seemingly simple idea that could make a difference in how we choose and use public Wi-Fi connections.
