We've Moved!

We've just launched our first value-added, premium software, Connectify Pro v3.0! To go along with our brand new release, we've launched a new website, and a spiffy new blog, over at http://www.connectify.me/blog/.

Never fear, all previous content (including posts from our developers, tips-and-tricks, and past release notes) has been migrated to our new blog. But, all future content will be posted to http://www.connectify.me/blog/ only, so make sure to change all of your bookmarks now! And while you're at it, you'll want to download Connectify Lite v3.0 if you haven't already. It's the most feature-rich and error-resistant version of Connectify to-date! Just follow the below link to download Connectify Lite v3.0:

http://downloads.connectify.me/ConnectifyInstaller.exe

Upgrade to Connectify v3.0 and Get More From 'Clients/Services' Tabs!

We’re always listening to what features Connectify users want to see implemented into upcoming releases. With the latest major version of Connectify being released next week, our development team has added several useful features that Connectify users themselves have requested. If you’re interested in trying out these new features and updates, you can take advantage of our pre-launch offer, which gets you a full one-year Connecitfy Pro v3.0 license at $14.99 (half-off the retail cost).

One of the coolest new features gives Connectify users the ability to see, interact, and control access-level of the various devices connected to your Connectify Hotspot.

Before you get started, you'll want to click on the Connectify ‘hand’ icon at the top-left corner of the user interface to access the Connectify Menu, click ‘Display Options’, and make sure that ‘Always Show Access Icons’ is checked. Now, click on the “Clients” tab where all connected computers, smartphones, tablets, and any other devices will appear, along with an IP address and descriptive icon (when Connectify is able to determine what type of device is connected). To the right of each device, you’ll see four icons which allow you to do as follows (clockwise from top-left):

• Globe Icon: Disable Internet access for the particular device, while still allowing for local access.
  
  
• Refresh Services Icon: Allows user to manually refresh the services running on an individual client.
  
  
• Available Services Icon: Shows users the number of available services that are currently running on the client device. The Available Services Icon can be refreshed by simply clicking the Refresh Services Icon directly above it.
  
  
• LAN Icon: Allows user to enable or disable local area network (LAN) connection between the host and client. When the LAN Icon is disabled, client devices will still have Internet access unless the ‘Globe Icon’ is also disabled.
  
  

With Connectify v3.0, now you can control which client users/devices can access Internet through the Connectify Hotspot, and which can access the LAN only. This feature adds a strong measure of security, where you can allow client access to your Internet without compromising your local data. You can even totally block certain clients by disabling both the LAN Icon and Globe Icon.

In addition to seeing what devices are connected to your Connectify Hotspot, the pro version of Connectify automatically scans your network for available shared folders or drives, web servers, and other remote services and provides you with options to easily connect. We like to call this the “Scannify” function, named after our popular port-scanning Android app. To do so, just click on the “Services” tab in the Connectify application, where a list of available services will be listed. To launch any service, simply double-click on it and Connectify does the rest!

To upgrade to Connectify Pro v3.0 at a special one week only pre-launch price of $14.99, simply follow this link to the Connectify Store: https://sites.fastspring.com/connectify/instant/connectifyprelaunch

Try Connectify v3.0 Today!

The Connectify Pro v3.0 release is just around the corner, but we want to give our loyal community of users a sneak-peek at some of the new features and fixes in this latest major version of Connectify. We're sure that once you try Connectify v3.0 you'll want to upgrade to Pro (which we're offering this week at $14.99; 50% off the retail price). Click here to get your discounted one-year license for Connectify Pro v3.0.

Our development team has been hard-at-work addressing known issues, and adding some awesome new features to both the free and Pro versions of Connectify. If you'd like to take Connectify for a spin before you upgrade, follow this link to download the latest installer:

http://downloads.connectify.me/ConnectifyInstaller.exe

Check out the new features in both Free and Pro versions of Connectify v3.0:

• Faster performance: 30% higher throughput when sharing fast Internet connections.
• Improved Device Identification: Improved detection of XBox 360s and certain Motorola devices.
• Completely new UPnP implementation: Improved performance, no spurious warnings. Fully-tested with Xbox 360 (PlayStation 3 sees Connectify as Type 3 NAT. This issue is expected to be resolved in an upcoming Beta).
• All new tabbed User Interface
• Intelligent warnings when hotspot starts without Internet Connection (New in this Beta)
• Resizable User Interface: grab the top or bottom and resize UI to preferred height. (New in this Beta
• New, clearer Status Area across top of UI (New in this Beta)
• Easily access the Connectify Menu by clicking on logo next to the Start / Stop button (New in this Beta)

Fixes and Updates:

• Service startup on boot
• Support for multi-monitor setups where the taskbar is not on the primary monitor.
• Fixes to UPnP and fragmented packet handling to improve gaming and streaming video over Connectify. (New in this Beta)
• New algorithm for choosing IP address of hotspot improves compatibility with iOS devices. (New in this Beta)
• Uninstaller now requests error report.
• New 'About' screen thanks all open-source projects utilized by Connectify.
• Microsoft has been working with us regarding the Blue Screen of Death issues that certain computers experience when hibernating. Based on what we learned, we have reworked how Connectify interacts with the Windows power management system entirely. With this new power management code, no Connectify user (with up to date Service Packs) should ever see the BSoD again!

And here are some of the cool, new features available to Connectify Pro v3.0 users:

• Automatic Internet Selection: Connectify intelligently chooses which Internet connection to share! When set to “Automatic,” Connectify automatically detects your active Internet connection and makes necessary configuration changes to your hotspot.
• Support for Windows XP and Windows Vista (Ad-Hoc Mode only)!
• Service Discovery: In the all-new Services tab, Connectify will automatically scan your network for available shared folders or drives, web servers, and other remote services and provide you with options to easily connect. Now the services are also listed next to each client (in the blue oval) on the clients tab.
• Simple Client-by-Client Firewall Controls allow user to control which clients can get to Internet and which can access local computers only.
• Support for PPIP and Qualcomm Gobi cards: Connectify Pro now supports sharing Internet from Qualcomm Gobi-based 3G/4G cards.
• No Advertising

Connectify Pro v3.0 Pre-Launch Release Now Available!

We are proud to to announce the Connectify Pro v3.0 Release Candidate! This is a major new release: the best Wi-Fi hotspot you’ve ever seen, even if you’ve used earlier versions of Connectify.

With 3 million downloads and counting, the Connectify community has been growing steadily. Now, with the official release of Connectify Pro around the corner, we'd like to thank you, our dedicated Connectify users, by offering a pre-launch, one-year license for Connectify Pro v3.0 at half-off the retail price (keep reading to learn how)!

Highlights of this release include:

• Support for Windows XP and Windows Vista (Ad-Hoc Mode only)!
  
  
• Automatic Internet Selection: Connectify intelligently chooses which Internet connection to share! When set to “Automatic,” Connectify automatically detects your active Internet connection and makes necessary configuration changes to your hotspot.
  
  
• Advanced Power Management Logic which completely avoids the sections of Windows 7 where Blue Screens of Death happen on many systems. Microsoft has been very helpful with working through the crash files that some of you have sent in. Thank you, we think we have that issue fixed now.
  
  
• Simple Client-by-Client Firewall Controls allow user to control which clients can get to Internet and which can access local computers only.
  
  
• Service Detection allows you to see web servers, shared drives, and other services on each client.

The biggest trade-off that we made after speaking to many users is that we have eliminated all advertising from our installer, as well as 3rd-party ads from in the user interface itself. This advertising brought in some revenue, but we understand that it bothered many Connectify users. The decision to remove ads from Connectify was a tough one. Instead, we now offer you two choices:

• The free version now requires your hotspot name to start with “Connectify-”, or,
• You can purchase Connectify Pro to name your Connectify Hotspot anything you want, and get all of the other great features that come with Connectify Pro.

So much has been added to this major new release of Connectify. Here's a side-by-side analysis of new features:

Feature	Free 3.0	Pro 3.0
Software Access Point	X	X
Share Internet from other Wi-Fi networks	X	X
Share Wi-Fi from 3G/4G Networks		X
Display connected computers/ devices	X	X
“Scannify” Service Discovery	Web Only	X
Fully-customizable SSID	“Connectify-”	X
Repeater Functionality	X	X
AutoInternet selection		X
Streamlined UI, updated look-and-feel	X	X
Simple Firewall Controls allow user to control whether each client can get on your local area network, and/or use your Internet connection		X
Premium Support (automatic ticket escalation)		X
Retail Price	Free!	$29.99 USD per year or $4.99 USD per month See below!

For one week only, we are offering Connectify Pro v3.0 at a deep discount for our loyal community of Connectify users! Purchase Connectify Pro by August 23rd, 2011 and enjoy the software for $14.99 for the first year. That’s half-off the retail price!

To take advantage of this limited-time offer, simply point your browser to https://sites.fastspring.com/connectify/instant/connectifyprelaunch


For full Connectify Pro v3.0 Release notes, click here.

Introducing Connectify Pro v3.0 Beta!

New Connectify 3.0 Beta 3 (Public) Installer and FREE Two-Week License: 

http://goo.gl/YLlJK

*please complete the beta survey once you've assessed the latest beta*

Connectify is a Windows 7 application that turns your laptop or home computer into a real Wi-Fi hotspot to share the Internet with friends, co-workers, and mobile devices.

Starting with Connectify version 3.0, we are pleased to announce our very first, value-added premium offering, Connectify Pro. The Pro version builds on the Connectify architecture, and offers support for automatically selecting Internet connections, scanning your network for services such as shared drives, and using PPIP wireless cards (such as Gobi-based cards).

Connectify Pro v3.0.0.20285 Features:

• Automatic Internet Selection: Connectify intelligently chooses which Internet connection to share! When set to “Automatic,” Connectify automatically detects your active Internet connection and makes necessary configuration changes to your hotspot.

• Service Discovery:  In the all-new Services tab, Connectify will automatically scan your network for available shared folders or drives, web servers, and other remote services and provide you with options to easily connect.  
• Support for PPIP and Qualcomm Gobi cards:  Connectify Pro now supports sharing Internet from Qualcomm Gobi based 3G cards.
• No Advertising

 New Features in both Free and Pro versions:

• Faster performance:  30% higher throughput when sharing fast Internet connections.
• Improved Device Identification: Improved detection of XBox 360s and certain Motorola devices.
• Completely new UPnP implementation:  Improved performance, no spurious warnings.  Fully tested with Xbox 360 (PlayStation 3 sees Connectify as Type 3 NAT. This issue is expected to be resolved in an upcoming Beta).
• All new tabbed User Interface
• Intelligent warnings when hotspot starts without Internet Connection (New in this Beta)
• Resizable User Interface: grab the top or bottom and resize UI to preferred height. (New in this Beta)
• New, clearer Status Area across top of UI. (New in this Beta)
• Easily access the Connectify Menu by clicking on logo next to the Start / Stop button. (New in this Beta)

Fixes and Updates:  

• Service startup on boot
• Support for multi-monitor setups where the taskbar is not on the primary monitor.
• Fixes to UPnP and fragmented packet handling to improve gaming and streaming video over Connectify. (New in this Beta)
• New algorithm for choosing IP address of hotspot improves compatibility with iOS devices. (New in this Beta)
• Uninstaller now requests error report. (New in this Beta)
• New About screen thanks all open-source projects utilized by Connectify. (New in this Beta)
• Users that are experiencing Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) issues, are encouraged to follow the steps outlined below, as Microsoft has issued two hot-fixes for related issues.  One of the fixes has been included in Service Pack 1, and the other was not, so users must download and install both separately.
  
  To get the up-to-date fixes from Microsoft:

1. Install Windows 7, Service Pack 1.  Here are Microsoft's instruction on how to check if you already have it, and how to install if you don't: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/learn-how-to-install-windows-7-service-pack-1-sp1

2. Download and install the Hotfix for KB2496820 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2496820) from: http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=2496820&kbln=en-us

Brilliant People: Andrew Auwerda of Philadelphia Distilling

Each month at Connectify, we invite someone really awesome to give us a lecture on what it is they do. It's called the Connectify: Brilliant People Lecture Series. For last month's installment, we asked Philadelphia Distilling's Andrew Auwerda to discuss building, marketing, and growing his craft spirits-focused brand.

After the fascinating lecture (which you can stream below), we enjoyed a tasting of Philadelphia Distilling's tasty gin, and aromatic absinthe offerings. Bonus!

Get the Most Out of Your Android Device with Scannify Desktop Widgets

I spent a few minutes poking around Scannify with one of our developers this morning. To those of you just tuning in, Scannify is a new Android app from the Connectify team. The application, which is already available on the Android Market, offers port-scanning, network discovery, launching of services, and a host of other value-added features to any Android device. Simply put, Scannify allows you to see who’s on your Wi-Fi network, share files with connected devices, and even run a variety of programs and services remotely, right from your Android phone or tablet.

Anyhow, while using Scannify to roam around our office Wi-Fi network today, I was reminded of a useful, and often-overlooked feature: you can drop Scannify widgets right onto the Android desktop for one-touch access to frequently used peers and services. Do you find yourself running Scannify to share files with your work PC or to access iTunes on your tablet fairly often? Use the desktop widget functionality, and you can launch these regularly used devices and services right from your Android desktop.

To use Scannify desktop widgets, navigate to the Android desktop and hold your finger down on an empty space to activate the Android desktop menu. Then select ‘Widget’ and choose the Scannify widget from the desktop menu. From here you've got the ability to make custom widgets for any device on your network. For even quicker access, create widgets that directly launch host services like Remote Desktop and Windows file-sharing right from your Android desktop.

Scannify: New Android App from Connectify

Discover, manage, and connect to devices on your Wi-Fi network!

Scannify is an easy-to-use application that allows you to see and interact with your whole personal area network, right from your Android mobile device. With the flick of a finger, this powerful app shows you every computer, tablet, smartphone, and all other devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. Simply select a device, and Scannify displays all services running on the host that are available to your Android phone or tablet. Now you can see who’s on your network, share files with a desktop PC, or use your smartphone as an iTunes remote, all from this one convenient app.

Scannify even allows you to drop widgets right onto the Android desktop. This exciting feature gives you one-touch access to frequently used peers and services. Just navigate to the Android desktop and hold your finger down on an empty space to activate the Android desktop menu. Then select ‘Widget’ and choose the Scannify widget from the desktop menu. Now you can make custom widgets for any device on your network. For even quicker access, create widgets that directly launch host services like Remote Desktop directly from your Android desktop.

Head over to the Android Market to download Scannify Lite. With this version, you can discover all of the devices on your Wi-Fi network, and even connect to web services running on remote machines. Upgrading to Scannify Premium unlocks powerful features while also removing ads from the user interface. The Premium version of Scannify will allow you to not only see who is on your Wi-Fi network but also connect to services such as:

• Web (HTTP and HTTPS)
• Music streaming (DAAP, all versions of iTunes prior to 7.0, and most other non-iTunes music software)
• File sharing via FTP, TFTP, or FTPS
• Remote Desktop (VNC)
• Remote Shell (Telnet and SSH)

Download Scannify today, and get the most out of your Personal Area Network!