Mobility software solutions provider Taproot has just rolled out a trial software based Wi-Fi access point solution for smartphones. The software made available on WalkingHotSpot.com is designed only for a select few Symbian and Windows Mobile powered devices. It essentially performs a data-stream patching between the cellular network to the on board Wi-Fi radio; allowing 3G data subscribers to pipe out and share data over the on-board Wi-Fi. On the downside, there’s a 5-device sharing limit and a significant power drag on the host smartphone battery. However, for those of us with unlimited data plans, WalkingHotSpot should provide a very cost effective data sharing solution. Of course, the network carriers has yet to weigh in on this data plan work-around. In all likelihood, they’ll be in staunch opposition to it.
I think this is really cool. I can definitely see myself using something like this.