Where in the World is WMWifiRouter? (Updated)

WMWifiRouter, the tool that allows users to share their Windows Mobile device’s internet connection via Wi-Fi, has disappeared from the web.

The tool utilized several hacks in the Windows Mobile platform, which essentially converted any Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU3 or above device into a Wi-Fi hotspot. The program was one of the first reliable methods to add 3G access to an iPhone or iPod touch, but did so in a simple, one-touch manner. The application was robust enough to allow for Wi-Fi sharing even while the Windows Mobile device remained in standby mode.

Now however, the application is missing from the developer’s web site. Some forum posts in community discussions cite legal concerns. However, we are not aware of any code that would cause such an issue.

Our analysis points to the developer attempting to re-offer WMWifiRouter as a commercial, for-profit product. The application was developed and supported by the community as a free offering. Small developers faced with extremely high success of free software often attempt to convert the product into a commercial offering. This is further evidenced by the development of WMWifiRouter.com, a site which contains no information other than to offer to sign up for an email to be notified of future updates.

Note: PhoneNews.com cannot verify that this site was established by WMWifiRouter’s author. We urge you to not sign up on said email list as we cannot verify its authenticity. Instead, stay tuned to PhoneNews.com for future updates. See article update for details.

We are offering the final, free version of WMWifiRouter for download, at the link below. This is a Windows Mobile CAB file, enclosed in a zip. Download the file to your PC, extract the archive, and copy the resulting file to your device. Open that file to install into main memory.

WMWifiRouter 0.91 (CAB)
ICS Installer (CAB) – For Windows Mobile devices that have Internet Sharing disabled

Update: Jorrit Jongma, aka Chainfire, the author of WMWifiRouter has contacted us. He has objected to our hosting of WMWifiRouter, but has been unable to substantiate claims that redistribution of the program was prohibited when it was initially offered.

Mr. Jongma did validate that WMWifiRouter.com is his web site. He refused, however, to comment on the conflicting statements regarding legal concerns prompting the pulling of the application. He also declined to comment on the future of the application.

After an analysis of the situation, we have decided to continue offering the final free version of WMWifiRouter, linked above. While developers have a right to prohibit redistribution of free software, they do not have the right to do so after-the-fact. We expect future versions to explicitly prohibit redistribution of WMWifiRouter, and as such, we will only offer older versions (version 0.91 being the last before this change).

We have also fixed an error that prevented over-the-air downloading to your device.