GETTY Microsoft has patented a clever new technology that could improve your connectivity

It's becoming almost-impossible to use your smartphone or computer without an internet connection. Whether you're using 3G, 4G, ethernet or wifi – users are always hunting down the best available internet access. And now Microsoft has patented a clever new technology that could improve your connectivity and battery life whenever you're on-the-go. The Redmond technology firm has designed software that intelligently juggles the power consumption of a smartphone used to tether an internet connection – while maintaining a reliable connection for your laptop. Dubbed Power Saving Wi-Fi Tethering, the patent outlines a way of dropping a wifi connection whenever it's not needed, to save the battery life of the mobile device providing the internet access.

MICROSOFT • US PATENT OFFICE The software could save you burning through your smartphone battery whenever you tether your 4G

If it works, you should be able to tether your smartphone to your Microsoft Surface Pro 4 or Windows 10 convertible two-in-one device and not pay for it with the battery life of your smartphone.

In theory, Microsoft's software will also wake-up the smartphone and its tethered internet connection seconds before you need wifi access again

The tethering smartphone and PC will co-ordinate a sleep schedule, using the intelligent software to work out when an internet connection is needed on your PC by studying data traffic and patterns associated with app usage. So when it determines you won't be needing an internet connection – perhaps you're drafting an email, or doing some quick photo-editing – Power Saving Wi-Fi Tethering software will put your smartphone to sleep. In theory, Microsoft's software will also wake-up the smartphone and its tethered internet connection seconds before you need wifi access again. Currently, if your tethering smartphone goes to sleep mode – your wifi mobile hotspot will quickly fade away too if you’re not actively using the internet on your laptop. This type of smart hotspot technology could become invaluable to those who need an internet connection away from their desk.

GETTY Microsoft wants to help link and connect your swathe or smart devices and PCs

Microsoft appears increasingly focused on linking our devices together. For example, the US firm's Cortana app allows PC owners to send and receive text messages from their desktop OS. Call notifications will also appear within Windows 10. Any information stored in Cortana’s Notebook on your PC including your interests, weather preferences and more, will be ported over to your smartphone and any changes you make on one will be reflected on your other devices.