It's been a while since I extolled the benefits of the Digital WiFi Detector, and I'm always on the hunt for newer, better, wifi network detection gadgets. While I still love that palm-sized detector, it doesn't do you any good if you find a hotspot and your computer doesn't have wireless capability built in, or you forgot to bring your wireless card with you. Well, look no further than the Linksys Wifi Finder.

The Linksys WiFi Finder supports 802.11 b/g networks, and can sniff out a hotspot in no time. The LCD display on the top of the finder displays important information like the network name, the signal strength, the channel the network is operating on, and the state of the network's security - that is whether it's open, secured with WEP, WPA, or some other type of encryption. Discovered networks are displayed in order of signal strength, and the finder can be toggled to display only open access points, all networks, or only a specific network of your choice.

When the WiFi Finder discovers a network you can use, simply plug it into an available USB port on your laptop and it instantly becomes a USB wireless adapter, ready to connect to the internet on the wireless network of your choice. Linksys also claims that the finder is smart enough to filter out interference from other competing signals, like microwaves, Bluetooth devices, and other 2.4GHz devices like cordless phones, so you'll only get clear results and strong wireless signals. It's available for $79, which is definitely a touch more expensive than other wifi finders and adapters, but given the Linksys name and the general high quality of their other products, it might be worth a look. [via Oh Gizmo!]