Having the ability to connect to the internet anywhere we go is undoubtedly awesome, but it isn't the only gift Wi-Fi technology has given us. Here are our 10 favorite uses for Wi-Fi that go beyond accessing the web.
10. Turn Your Smartphone into a Remote Control
If all the computers in your house are connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can easily connect your smartphone to the same network and control them. With apps like our favorite iTunes-controlling Remote app for iPhone, the all-encompassing Gmote for Android, and more XBMC remotes than you can shake a stick at , you don't have to get up from your couch for anything anymore. 9. Send Documents to Your Printer from Any Computer or Smartphone
There's no reason to have five different printers in your house just so you can print in any room. Instead of constantly plugging and unplugging the printer from your laptop, you can print wirelessly from any computer. Just share the printer from the computer it's connected to, turn it into its own standalone print server if it doesn't have a computer next to it, or even print files from your smartphone using Dropbox (on both Windows and Mac ).8. Forward Notifications from Your Smartphone to Your PC
If you're rocking an Android phone (and most of you are), you can send call, SMS, and battery notifications straight to your Windows, Mac with Growl, or Linux PC over Wi-Fi with Android notifier. No more do you have to deal with the ringing and buzzing phone from across the room when you're already sitting at your PC. If you prefer to be able to take action on these items, you can always forego the Wi-Fi and send them over GTalk with TalkMyPhone instead.7. Tether Your Smartphone to Your Computer for Internet Anywhere
Okay, so we kind of cheated on this one—it does involve connecting to the internet, but it's definitely not in the traditional way people use Wi-Fi (especially because you often need a hacked or rooted device to do it). Instead of searching around for regular Wi-Fi networks wherever you go, you can just use your phone as a wireless router and connect to your phone's internet service with your PC. Whether you have a rooted Android phone and the Wireless Tether app, a Jailbroken iPhone with PDAnet, or a manually hacked-to-tether Palm Pre, you'll never be without internet again—as long as you have cell phone signal, of course.
