Google Nexus (Photo : Pocketnow/Twitter)
Google is extending their Project Fi Wi-Fi tech to their Nexus devices to help users automatically connect to public hotspots regardless of which current wireless carrier they have.
All Nexus devices will now be a part of their Project Fi initiative but the search engine giant did not confirm whether the Google Nexus 2016 devices will be included. The release dates for the said phones, which are being developed by HTC, has not been unveiled yet.
Project Fi started as an effort for Google to help users connect to Wi-Fi hotspots across their area with the help of Sprint and T-Mobile. Whenever a user has no Wi-Fi connection available in their area, the wireless service from T-Mobile and Sprint will be used.
Google's Project Fi service will now be available for Nexus users even if they are not actively subscribed to the said service from the search engine giant, CNET has learned. It will also be beneficial to the Nexus users as Wi-Fi connections tend to drain the battery a little less compared to wireless data connections.
The bad news is that the service will still be limited to several geographic locations. Only Nexus owners in Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada and the United States will be able to avail of the service automatically with their devices.
Google said that the Project Fi for Nexus devices will be rolled out gradually in the following weeks, Droid-Life reported. Once the service has been installed in the Nexus devices, users can activate it through the "Wi-Fi Assistant" toggle found under the Google Settings Networking tab.
One indication of the Nexus device connected to a wireless network via the Wi-Fi Assistant is a VPN "key" logo on the status bar near the clock and the battery icons. The Wi-Fi tab will also state that the connection is connected through the Project Fi WiFi Assistant service.
Google will be rolling out the Project Fi service for Nexus devices such as the Nexus 6P, 5X, 5, 5, 4 and even the Nexus 10, 9 and 7 tablets. Another requirement is that they should be running at least Android Lollipop 5.1 to be able to use the free feature.
