Project Fi is Google’s attempt to provide affordable yet quality network service to users across the US. And now it is planning to give all Nexus users a taste of its additional data-serving feature called ‘Wi-Fi Assistant’, without having to go the trouble of changing carriers.
As announced today, the Wi-Fi assistant feature allows users device to automatically and securely connect to millions of open and free Wi-Fi hotspots. It is a free service that identifies open, unprotected wi-fi hotspots with good or fair connections to connect to when your cell connection isn’t strong.
Also, to protect your devices from malwares and intrusions as you’re using an open network, Wi-Fi Assistant uses a Google VPN for secure connection. These open wi-fi hotspots have been verified as fast and reliable by Google itself.
Prior to this, the data saving ‘Wi-Fi Assistant’ feature was exclusive to Google’s Project Fi cellular network. It is, however, now being made available to to any Nexus phone owner in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, and Nordic countries. It is also important to notice that it is available to users running Android Lollipop 5.1 and above.
Google has opted to keep ‘Wi-Fi Assistant’ off by default, but you can switch it on to save data. As shown in the GIF above, just head over to Settings > Google > Networking, and there you will see an option to toggle the feature on and off. Once you’re connected to an open wi-fi, the assistant will show a notification and a VPN-shaped icon at the top. You also have the option to ‘forget’ a particular network or free connection if you don’t wish to connect to it anymore.
Launched as an experimental wireless network in 2015, Google in now willing to give users a taste of what they’re missing on without their Fi carrier. It, however, uses cellular coverage from T-Mobile and Sprint and local Wi-Fi networks to provide plans that start as low as $20 per month for unlimited talk and text.
