WiFi Connectivity
Gen 3 hoops are equipped with WiFi connectivity, which can be a little more complicated
to set up, but is faster and much more flexible, and allows a large number of hoops (and
poi) to be synced up and controlled at the same time and configured from a web browser.
You don’t need an existing WiFi network to use the WiFi features. If there isn’t an access
point available, a hoop can be set up to act as an access point on its own. Of course, an
isolated hoop won’t have an Internet connection, but other hoops can connect to it, along
with mobile devices.
WiFi hoops support three network modes: WiFi Direct, Access Point (AP), and Client (STA).
In Client mode, the hoops can connect to a 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g/n) WiFi network. In AP and
Direct modes, they create their own network, which you can join with a PC or mobile
device for setup and control.
WiFi Direct Mode
Out of the box, your hoop is set up to use WiFi Direct, also known as WiFi Peer-to-Peer.
WiFi Direct is a special WiFi mode that doesn't require a router. The hoop will create a WiFi
Direct network that other devices can join. The WiFi channel is selected automatically.
Some devices, particularly newer Android devices, are able to connect to a WiFi Direct
network without disconnecting from their regular WiFi network – for example, your phone
can be connected to your home WiFi and to the hoop at the same time. See below for
instructions on connecting an Android device in WiFi Direct mode.
Apple iOS devices don't support WiFi Direct. However, the WiFi Direct group will still show
up like a legacy WiFi network that almost any WiFi device can connect to; you just won't
be able to connect to more than one network at a time. The network name will start with
‘DIRECT-’ in your list of available networks.
Access Point Mode
The hoop can also be set up as a conventional WiFi access point. There's not much
difference between access point (AP) mode and WiFi Direct mode if you don't need to
connect to two networks at once; AP mode is included mostly because WiFi Direct is a
relatively new standard and some devices have odd quirks in Direct mode.
Client Mode
In client mode (technically ‘station’ mode, or STA for short), the hoop connects to an
existing WiFi network. To connect, you'll need to let the hoop know which network to join
and what the password is, if the network is secure.
If you have the hoop scan for open (unsecured) networks, it will connect to the open
network with the strongest signal. Once it’s connected, it will remember the network
name and try to connect automatically when it sees that network again.
