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Y O U R C O N N E C T I O N S T O T H E W E B A N D W I R E L E S S D E V I C E S

C H A P T E R

to automatically download new satellite information, and whether to perform an automatic download when your smartphone is connected to your computer using the USB cable.

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network

Many environments, such as corporate offices, coffee shops, airports, and libraries, offer access to a Wi-Fi network. A Wi-Fi network is a wireless local area network (WLAN) based on the 802.11 standard. When you’re within range of an accessible Wi-Fi network, you can use your smartphone’s Wi-Fi feature to connect to that network and access the web.

KEY TERM Wi-Fi access point Also called a

hotspot. A network device with an antenna that provides wireless connections to a larger network.

Why use a Wi-Fi connection?

A Wi-Fi connection is especially helpful in the following situations:

You’re outside a coverage area and you want to access the web.

Your your wireless service provider’s plan incurs additional charges for data services and you want to minimize data service charges by using a Wi-Fi connection instead.

You’re inside a coverage area, but outside your wireless service provider’s UMTS (3G or HSDPA) coverage area. (A Wi-Fi connection may provide faster throughput than a GPRS or EDGE data connection.)

You want to maintain a web connection while talking on the phone.

Are there different types of Wi-Fi networks?

There are two types of Wi-Fi networks:

Open networks: These networks broadcast their name (SSID) and do not require you to enter a password or other settings. To learn how to connect to an

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Palm PMG0501000P Connecting to a Wi-Fi network, Why use a Wi-Fi connection?, Are there different types of Wi-Fi networks?