Galaxy S7 Reveals Handy New Wi-Fi Feature

This week new users of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are finding that they've got an extra option in their Mobile HotSpot settings. Instead of just being able to share their mobile internet connection, they're now able to bounce their Wi-fi connection from their smartphone to their laptop – or any other Wi-fi-enable device. What's the use of this? Why would you want to share a Wi-fi connection to a device when that device already has the ability to see a Wi-fi connection? Funny you should ask!

While it'll be entirely rare that you'll ever have the opportunity to share your Wi-fi with this feature, it CAN be helpful. One example is when you're at an event, like SlashGear often is, and your smartphone is (for whatever reason) able to pick up a Wi-fi signal from afar, but your laptop is not.

SEE: Galaxy S7 has a moist new feature

Bouncing from the phone to your laptop could work!

A similar situation could occur when you're in an odd old building where the walls are so thick, you can only get a Wi-fi signal from the coffee shop next door through a window. You don't want to be sitting next to the window all day, it's cold out there!

So you put your phone near the window and bounce the Wi-fi thusly. Bounce that wi-fi all around your room with ease.

Then get another Galaxy S7 and bounce the Wi-fi again, and again, and again around the world!

As Android Police reminds us, there's also the odd "pay per device" connection situation you might be in at a hotel. Forget that! Pay for the phone and share the love.

This feature appears to be active on each version of the Samsung Galaxy S7 we've tested thus far, save the Verizon edition. That goes for both the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge. We'll see if that changes any time soon – don't hold your breath.