Microsoft suffers worldwide Wi-Fi wardrobe malfunction

Microsoft is gearing up to launch a new Wi-Fi hotspot-hunting app, designed to keep people connected to the web wherever they are – assuming they're within range of a friendly wireless network.

The Redmond software giant switched on its new microsoftwifi.com website, promising further details on "Microsoft Wi-Fi," which will replace Microsoft Skype Wi-Fi.

Skype Wi-Fi logs paid-up subscribers into wireless hotspots that participate in the Microsoft program; users can roam from Wi-Fi point to Wi-Fi point, and access the internet and make calls.

The microsoftwifi.com website has since been pulled offline.

The new service appears to be aimed at people subscribed to Office 365, or anyone willing to cough up $150 a year. Anyone running the app will be able to log into hotspots provided by the Skype Wi-Fi network – such as wireless networks run by Xfinity, Boingo and BT in the US and UK.

"We can confirm that we are working on a new service, called Microsoft Wi-Fi, that will bring hassle-free Wi-Fi to millions. We look forward to sharing additional detail when available," Microsoft told us in a statement.

The Skype Wi-Fi program allows subscribers to login to some two million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide. The service charges users per minute of use, and supports Windows, OS X, iOS, Android and Linux devices.

Microsoft has not said when it will be shedding further light on the subject. ®