Finding an open WiFi network often boils down to luck: you open your phone's WiFi settings, scan through the list of detected networks, and hope one is open or public. But what if you're in an unfamiliar place? Starbucks and fast-food joints are usually a safe bet, but Google decided this poses a real problem in many regions and added a feature to its data-saving app Datally that reports open networks in your vicinity.
The struggle to find open WiFi
The topic of open WiFi has turned sour for some businesses. We've often read about certain cafés in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom that decided to remove free internet access because their establishments had become "tombs" where no one talks. Of course, anyone who wants to connect can still do so with their data plan, and cutting free WiFi is a solution to what the web calls a "first-world problem." In other regions—starting with those with prohibitively expensive data plans—open WiFi networks are critical for maintaining basic communication, yet they're often difficult to find. That's where Datally comes in.
Datally: more than a data saver
This official Google app was originally designed to monitor data consumption, and it includes several key functions. Guest Mode is useful for people who need to share their phone with someone else and avoid data abuse. Daily Limit is a valve that automatically shuts off once you exceed a certain level. Apps Not Used identifies apps that you aren't using but that consume your data. Finally, WiFi Map is an expansion of the previous suggestion system, but now results are placed on a map, making open networks easier to find. Datally also allows you to rate the quality of those networks.
The latest version of Datally is 1.5, which has been on the Google Play Store since June 18. As expected, the list of required permissions is long, and its minimum compatibility is Android 5.0 Lollipop, but most users seem satisfied with the app—something not often seen among Mountain View's official offerings.
