With the internet age, nothing can be kept a secret for long anymore. Microsoft, the technology giant, had a first hand experience of this when the details of its still work in progress service Microsoft WiFi were leaked online at a website called microsoftwifi.com.
The first one to spot the website was a Twitter user with the Twitter handle @h0x0d. He's apparently the same guy who had discovered Microsoft Earn in the past.
The website, microsoftwifi.com, before it was pulled off the net, described the new service as an offering providing "hassle-free Internet access around the world” in order to make users more productive on the go. The new Microsoft WiFi app in all likelihood will be a cross-platform affair. Before the website was pulled, one could see Microsoft WiFi app downloads links for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.
With Microsoft WiFi, Microsoft has just one mission in mind and that is to make sure that you’re always online no matter where you go.
The webpage before it was pulled down gave a detailed explanation of how one needs to be "eligible" in order to download and use the app. Apparently, at the service launch, Microsoft WiFi will only be available to active Skype WiFi subscribers, employees of organizations with Microsoft Office 365 for Enterprise and customers who have received a special WiFi offer from Microsoft.
In case you've never heard of it, Skype WiFi is a service that lets users get online at over 2 million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, paying with Skype Credit for the minutes used. The main pitch there is "no more fumbling with credit cards or long sign up processes when you're on the move," according to Skype.
Venturebeat.com managed to grab the image above before Microsoft took down the website. As you can see, the point of the service is to make sure you’re always online no matter where you go:
[cp_quote style="quote_normal_light"]Don't waste time filling forms with personal information or managing different carriers to get connected. Sign in once and you are done: you will automatically be connected to a vast range of WiFi providers around the world.[/cp_quote]
Microsoft WiFi appears to be the same idea (a pay-as-you-go service that automatically connects you to free public Wi-Fi hotspots), but this appears to be more than just a rebranding, as it targets a much bigger audience: 10 million Wi-Fi hotspots in 130 countries.
As of now, Microsoft isn't sharing any more information right now, keep watching this space for more updates when it is available.
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