The Wi-Fi Alliance has begun certifying products that can make direct connections to other devices through its Wi-Fi Direct program.

Wi-Fi Direct works like near-field communications technology by allowing users to share and sync content to phones, cameras, printers, computers and gaming devices without cords.

“We designed Wi-Fi Direct to unleash a wide variety of applications which require device connections, but do not need the Internet or even a traditional network,” said Wi-Fi Alliance CEO Edgar Figueroa in a statement. “Wi-Fi Direct empowers users to connect devices when, where and how they want to, and our certification program delivers products that work well together, regardless of the brand.”

Consumer electronics certified through the program can connect with older Wi-Fi devices, allowing devices already in use to connect with Wi-Fi Direct products from the certification program’s inception.

Wi-Fi Direct devices include a push-button set-up mechanism, employ WPA2 security protections and have “typical” Wi-Fi throughput and range. The alliance already has certified several Wi-Fi Direct products, including mini PCIe cards from Atheros, Broadcom, Intel and Ralink.