Google announces a new feature in Android 8.1

Wi-fi hotspots are great because they let you save your precious mobile data, but often you connect to a free wi-fi hotspot find that it's slower than a sloth on a lazy Sunday.

Google's aware of this issue and is addressing it in the Android Oreo 8.1 software update.

Google says that connection speed will show under the names of public wi-fi networks and advises that speed can change with signal strength:

  • Slow: If you can use Wi-Fi calling, you can make phone calls and send texts.
  • OK: You can read webpages, use social media, and stream music.
  • Fast: You can stream most videos.
  • Very Fast: You can stream very high-quality videos.

If you don't want to see network speed, open your device's Settings app

Settings app
and then

Network & Internet

and then

Wi-Fi

and then

Wi-Fi Preferences

and then

Advanced

and then

Network rating provider

and then

None.

NB: This feature will only be available in Android Oreo 8.1.

If you're not sure which Android version is on your phone, click here to find out how to figure it out.

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