Wi-Fi technology allows individuals to access the Internet without a landline connection. Currently, Wi-Fi is available on some college campuses, coffee shops like the Coffee Bean, and airports. It is predicted that very soon Wi-Fi will become available everywhere. With the introduction of Wi-Fi and WiMax into our everyday lives, we will literally be connected all of the time! With this available technology comes opportunity for both radio and television industries.
The gaming industry is already taking full advantage of wireless local area connections. Gaming consoles like Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, and Play station 3 incorporate this technology in order to create more accessibility for its consumers. Even desktop computers and laptops (PC and Macs, alike) include Wi-Fi in order for users to access the Internet whenever and wherever they need to. By far the most anticipated device for 2007 that will incorporate Wi-Fi is the new Apple iPhone. Apple's iPhone will permit Internet access wherever wireless networks exist. Additionally, the iPhone allows its users to upload files from thier iPod onto their iPhone. Here is some opportunity for the television and music industries. With Wi-Fi technology, Apple could include their iTunes Music Store as an option to access via the iPhone. Customers could purchase and download their music and television shows simultaneously from the convenience of one device---the iPhone. Individuals would be able to download music, podcasts, movies, and television programs with the click of a button. Sales would ultimately increase thanks to the hightened accessibility of downloading. However, Apple is already seeing competition with the Samsung 3GSM model, which bolsters a music-focused lineup; hopefully forever changing music's mobile market.
The opportunities wireless technology provides for mobile phones can benefit the radio and television industries. A Los Angeles-based company, Live 365, already takes advatange of Internet radio. Live 365 provides thousands of free Internet radio stations from all over the world that are categorized by musical genre. Live 365 also features a podcast section, where any registered user can create a podcast and then post that podcast to the site for others to listen to. Already some companies are taking advantage of the Live 365 software in order to create stations featuring a particular artist as means of promotion. Perhaps, sites like Live 365 are the future of radio. With wireless-capability, the iPhone and Samsung 3GSM could feature live-Internet radio streams that enable users to customize what they are listening and when they listen to it. If terrestrial radio can focus on utilizing WiFi technology for their benefit, then maybe there is a chance to revive its popularity.
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