Wi-Fi Hotspot Locator App Uses Skyhook for Improved Location
BOSTON, MA- September 15, 2009- Skyhook Wireless, provider of the patented Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) and the hybrid positioning system XPS, today announced a partnership with freebox-wifi.fr, a Wi-Fi hotspot locator service with applications for iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile smartphones.
The Android `FreeboxWifi Connect' application automatically detects and connects to open Wi-Fi access points from French ISP Free S.A. In France, Free S.A. has created a network of accessible Wi-Fi hotspots named "FreeWifi" using the ADSL boxes located in clients' homes.
The application features a heat map of where users have been able to connect to FreeWifi and the strength of the signal. Users can also run the application in "mapping mode" which reports locations where devices successfully found a FreeWifi hotspot.
"Thanks to Skyhook's Android SDK, our Android application is now able to position the phone as well as iPhones, even in the heart of cities where the phone's GPS was failing to provide positions altogether. Additionally, I have been very impressed by Skyhook's positioning accuracy which has been up to par with our demanding requirements," said Philippe Girolami, owner and developer.
"This app is an example of a simple LBS app that requires exact positioning in order to function," said Kate Imbach, director of marketing at Skyhook Wireless. "Applications like FreeboxWifi Connect depend completely on accurate and reliable location data."
Freebox-wifi.fr applications can be downloaded free today on the Apple Appstore, Android Marketplace and Archos Applib; a beta Windows Mobile is available on the website. Find out more information about the developer and the apps at www.freebox-wifi.fr Skyhook Wireless offers a publicly available SDK for Android developers, available here: www.skyhookwireless.com/developers/sdk.php.
About Skyhook Wireless
Founded in 2003, Skyhook Wireless has pioneered the development of the first hybrid positioning system to fully leverage Wi-Fi, GPS and cell towers delivering precise location data supporting the growing market for location-based services. Skyhook's hybrid positioning system XPS requires no new hardware, works indoors and outdoors, provides an instant location and is more accurate than current technologies in congested downtown areas. Skyhook Wireless is headquartered in Boston, MA, and is privately held. Investors include RRE Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, Intel Capital and CommonAngels. For more information visit www.skyhookwireless.com
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