Tom Perkins1

Q: What is a "Hotspot"?

Well, this is embarrassing. For, what, years, I have seen "hotspot" and never bothered to figure it out. There are several discussions about problems with HotSpot but not a literal definition of what it is and how to work it. If there is a discussion, lease link me. In switching to Mavericks yesterday and going through their help site, I realized I may be missing something. I'll save my other questions as I go through the AD discussions, like "Hand Off" and "iPhone and iMac", etc  Thanks!

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013., OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Feb 22, 2015 7:30 AM

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Q: What is a "Hotspot"?

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  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 22, 2015 8:06 AM in response to Tom Perkins1
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 22, 2015 8:06 AM in response to Tom Perkins1

    A "hotspot" is just another name for an area with a wireless network signal with Internet access that usually requires you to log on and "agree" to the terms of use.

     

    If you take your laptop down to the coffee place to log on to the wireless network there, you are connecting to a "hotspot". Same if you take your laptop to the bookstore and log on there.

     

    When you bring your laptop back home and connect to your wireless network, you are connecting to your own personal "hotspot".

  • by Tom Perkins1,

    Tom Perkins1 Tom Perkins1 Feb 22, 2015 8:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 22, 2015 8:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks, Bob! One more question. Isn't there some kind of "favorite personal hotspot" or some such that you delineate from others for some reason? Could be totally off. Just wondering why this is a big deal. Guessing "hotspot" is just another generic name given rather than "free internet wifi access at this location". LOL!!

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 22, 2015 9:45 AM in response to Tom Perkins1
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 22, 2015 9:45 AM in response to Tom Perkins1

    Not sure what a favorite personal hotspot might be unless it is simply referring to a location that has a strong wireless signal with a reliable Internet connection that might "remember" you, like a network that you have set up yourself, so you do not have to input a user name or password, or "agree" to the terms of use each time that you connect to the network.

     

    A hotspot may or may not be "free". For example, DFW AirPort has a number of hotspots all over each terminal, but finding a free one is another matter.

  • by Tom Perkins1,

    Tom Perkins1 Tom Perkins1 Feb 22, 2015 10:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 22, 2015 10:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you!!!