Smart phones could connect without cellular network through Serval project

07/14/2013 - 00:00

By Tony Simonite -

The Serval project, whose free software can enable smartphones to make calls and send messages without a cellular network, is appealing for help developing a home router-like device that could make its novel approach more practical. A crowdfunding campaign aims to raise $300,000 to support development of the Mesh Extender, as it is called, which helps the ad-hoc, localized networks Serval creates to extend over larger distances. Potentially just as important, the device also makes it possible for nearby phones to join a mesh network without being modified to sidestep default restrictions on Wi-Fi networking in Google’s mobile operating system. 

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