Thursday, April 8, 2004
Wi-Fi Enabled Devices Explode (in Numbers)
Posted by Jonathon Watkins in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 05:00 AM
The Inquirer tell us that: "By 2008 there will be 176.8 million embedded Wi-Fi devices, according to a report from market research firm iSuppli. Analyst Scott Smyser reckons that the market for wireless LAN equipment rose 82% in 2003, to be worth an estimated $2.8 billion." Now that's a lot of devices, a lot of growth and a lot of money. Ah, figures like those take me back to the good old days of the Tech boom. :P
"According to Smyser, embedded Wi-Fi represented 36% of client access equipment, but this segment will grow to 80% in 2008. Clients by then will include mobile PCs, handheld PCs, mobile phones, cable/DSL modems and desktop machines. Last year, according to iSuppli, embedded Wi-Fi shipped in 50% of notebook PCs, and Smyser predicts that it will eventually be standard for notebooks, just like wired Ethernet." I have to admit, I don't currently have any Wi-Fi enabled devices, but I can see that changing soon. I don't have an actual need for Wi-Fi yet, but amongst other things, this Tech-Report article about building a PC for the kitchen has me thinking……
Others are doing some serious cogitating as well: "This year saw phone firms Nokia and Motorola adding in embedded Wi-Fi, but cellular providers will have to think hard about how they approach this market. If Wi-Fi becomes widespread, users are likely to use this for calls rather than the cellular networks." You don't say. :wink: Well, rather than having my mobile drop calls during train journeys, I could always use Skype via Wi-Fi on the train in the UK.
So, how many of you guys have got a Wi-Fi setup? What is the main reason you got it and how do you use it in practice? Does it live up to your expectations? Enquiring minds want to know. 8)
"According to Smyser, embedded Wi-Fi represented 36% of client access equipment, but this segment will grow to 80% in 2008. Clients by then will include mobile PCs, handheld PCs, mobile phones, cable/DSL modems and desktop machines. Last year, according to iSuppli, embedded Wi-Fi shipped in 50% of notebook PCs, and Smyser predicts that it will eventually be standard for notebooks, just like wired Ethernet." I have to admit, I don't currently have any Wi-Fi enabled devices, but I can see that changing soon. I don't have an actual need for Wi-Fi yet, but amongst other things, this Tech-Report article about building a PC for the kitchen has me thinking……
Others are doing some serious cogitating as well: "This year saw phone firms Nokia and Motorola adding in embedded Wi-Fi, but cellular providers will have to think hard about how they approach this market. If Wi-Fi becomes widespread, users are likely to use this for calls rather than the cellular networks." You don't say. :wink: Well, rather than having my mobile drop calls during train journeys, I could always use Skype via Wi-Fi on the train in the UK.
So, how many of you guys have got a Wi-Fi setup? What is the main reason you got it and how do you use it in practice? Does it live up to your expectations? Enquiring minds want to know. 8)
