# WiFi-Sharing Apps Open Garden Turns Your Smartphone Into a Wireless Router By Michael Hines | Published 2012-05-31 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/open-garden References: [springwise](http://www.springwise.com/telecom_mobile/app-turns-smartphones-routers-shared-mobile-internet-coverage/) & [opengarden](http://opengarden.com/) The Open Garden app is a new smartphone application designed to boost sagging WiFi signals. The app effectively lets your mobile device [act as a router](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indoor-router). The Open Garden app was created by a San Francisco-startup of the same name. Once the app is installed, it broadcasts a device's wireless signal across a 20 meter (65 foot) area. There are few restrictions on the devices that can run the app, but they do need to at least have 3G/4G connectivity, or use a [WiFi hotspot](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glocalme-meowgo-g50-max) or femtocell base. The app is designed primarily for offices with sub-par wireless connections, letting everyone in the office contribute to the quality of the Internet. The Open Garden app could also be used to [boost home wireless connections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eero1); it would be especially effective in small homes filled with the latest tech. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Wireless Communication Sharing:** The Open Garden app allows smartphones to act as wireless routers, indicating the trend towards affordable and easy wireless communication sharing. - **Increased Wifi Accessibility:** The Open Garden app reflects the trend towards increased accessibility of WiFi, by enabling users to share their WiFi connection. - **Expansion of Phone Capabilities:** The Open Garden app reflects the trend of smartphones further expanding their capabilities and taking on functionalities of other electronic devices. ### Where This Applies - **Telecommunications:** The telecommunications industry can benefit from the Open Garden app by offering WiFi sharing services to customers as part of their subscription packages. - **Office Supply:** The Open Garden app can be disruptive for the office supply industry as it enables companies to provide efficient and cost-effective WiFi sharing solutions for employees. - **Real Estate:** The Open Garden app could be disruptive in the real estate industry as it could offer a unique selling point with regard to properties with poor WiFi coverage by enhancing network connectivity. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mobile 5G Connectivity Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oppo-5g-cpe-t2.md) - [Mesh Gaming Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rog-rapture-gt6.md) - [International Professional Hotspots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wifi-mobile-hotspot.md) - [Wi-Fi Manager Utilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wifi-echo.md) - [Mesh-Compatible WiFi Extenders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reyee-rgrex12-wifi-range-extender.md) - [Cellphone-Repurposing Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alfredcamera.md) - [Ultra-Fast 4G-Enabled Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tplink-deco-x504g.md) - [Logistics-Tracking GPS Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/logistics-tracking-gps-app.md) - [File-Sharing PC Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nearby-share.md)