It's not the fault of the inventors, but this article has the details wrong: The Wi-Fire is a USB Wi-Fi adapter with directional and omnidirectional antennas built in. The 8-inch long bendable antenna can be switched between modes. The directional mode allows quite long-distance connections; the company behind it estimates 1,000 feet versus the conventionally reported range of 300 feet for Wi-Fi--although 300 feet is the diameter, not radius around an access point.
The report in the Lehigh University student newspaper recounts that the Wi-Fire was a student project that won a $2,500 prize at an entrepreneurial challenge. It's a neat idea, and the students behind it have founded hField Technologies. It's patent pending, and one hopes FCC license pending, too. Don't forget that detail, kids!