Digital Home Thoughts: Windows 7 To Feature Virtual WiFi

"In essence, how Virtual WiFi works is very similar to how virtualization works for operating systems which most people are familiar with - the transparent sharing of limited hardware resources to many operating systems. Virtual WiFi, abbreviated to VWiFi, is a software layer that abstracts the wireless LAN card hardware into multiple virtual adapters."

I am sure that some of you are wondering what possible use could using one wireless network adapter connect to two wireless networks be? Well, maybe not in those exact words, but something along those lines. While I can't say this is one of the most important features to be included in Windows 7, I can definately see this being handy. First, it can allow any laptop with supporting hardware to share a WiFi signal like a hotel WiFi connection. Second, it allows you to connect to two WiFi networks such as one public and one private at the same time. Unfortunately, once you activate the virtual adapter, it does cut your speed in half or more. All in all, it is just another reason why Windows 7 does appear to be the OS that will put Microsoft back on the map.