Google’s Project Fi has been here for quite some time now, but the problem is that all this time it has been limited to a number of devices that include Google Nexus 6P, Nexus 6 as well as Nexus 5X.
Well, not that there is something that has changed about it, however, a feature that was exclusive to the service has now made its way to all other Google Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6 users in 11 more countries. Dubbed Wi-Fi Assistant, this feature is that which helps users of Project Fi save more data by switching between open Wi-Fi networks and cellular data and in the process helps with data saving for those who depend a lot on cellular data.
In addition to being available to all Google Nexus phones, the new Wi-Fi Assistant update also brings the ability to secure networks that you connect to manually. Like everything else in the package, this feature has also been availed to the new 11 regions that have joined up Project Fi users.
The added countries include Belgium, Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland as well as Ireland. With this move, Google believes that Wi-Fi Assistant will come in to help with lowering data costs while at the same time allowing those on the go to stay connected more securely.
What Wi-Fi Assistant does is to secure all the Wi-Fi networks that you connect to or rather are saved on your Google Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X with the help of a VPN. This will only happen if the said Wi-Fi Assistant determines that the networks are actually of the best quality and open.
There have been cases where Wi-Fi Assistant works with a given network and later on it ceases to work with the same network. In such cases, the Project Fi team recommends that you stay cool. This is because Wi-Fi Assistant works by checking both the historical and real-time data as opposed to checking the SSID alone. As a result, your device may end up not being able to connect to a network if it is determined that the quality is different as before.
Nice piece of expensive fluff, Project Fi. Don’t go anywhere near it if you need dependability and customer support.
For anyone who travels a bit outside the US, Project Fi is an amazing plan and it is inexpensive. Flying into virtually any international airport, and almost instantaneously having voice and data at low rates saves time and money! So much better than buying and setting up a local sim, with all that entails. (access point settings change, chance to lose your home sim, domestic phone number unavailable to others, … .) All for $10 per 1GB data. I used mine in Toronto, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Munich, Hamburg so far. Highly recommended.