Apple To Push Community WiFi?

If municipal WiFi networks can’t get the backing in order to provide wireless blankets over cities, why not leave it up to the residents to create the network instead? They could use systems like FON – especially if they’re backed by someone they know and trust… and the rumor is that the FON peer-to-peer WiFi system has a new friend – Steve Jobs.

Jobs expressed interest in a sit-down with Varsavsky, which eventually took place earlier this month in Jobs’ top-floor office at Apple headquarters in Cupertino.

“He was very interested in FON; the meeting went on for an hour and a half,” said Varsavsky, who described Jobs as appearing “trim” and “fit” in his ripped blue jeans and black hooded sweatshirt. “He’s extremely curious. He asks a lot of questions. He’s not the nicest guy — I mean his questions are inquisit [sic] to say the least. He’s to the point.”

Apple, of course, sells its own brand of AirPort WiFi routers. However, Jobs’s interest in FON may be driven by the prospect of ubiquitous WiFi access for owners of his company’s new iPhone and iPod Touch handhelds.

FON allows users to share their WiFi connection with other FON subscribers.

AppleInsider | Steve Jobs keen on a world where people share WiFi