Download this whitepaper now and read how WLAN technology embedded in CE devices offers consumers a glimmer of hope that someday soon they will be free to experience their media content on their terms.
W H I T E P A P E RCE WLAN
By Robert FergusonWLAN Marketing Managerrferguson@ti.com Consumer Satisfaction:
Embedded WLAN delivers
rich content anywhere, anytime
IntroductionThe abundance of rich multimedia It wasn't long ago that the transition from dial-up to broadband access transformed
content has many consumers dream- the way consumers relate to the Internet. The same transformation-except this
ing of the day when they'll be able to time it involves consumer attitudes toward wireless networking-will happen as
easily enjoy any tune, any movie, or embedded WLAN connectivity proliferates in CE devices. Soon, consumers will think
any bit of multimedia content at of wireless networking as another utility, much like electricity. In fact, a sizeable
anytime from any location. In addition, public WLAN infrastructure akin to the electrical grid, albeit on a smaller scale, is
consumers are developing certain already in place and growing. The build-out of the WLAN infrastructure has reached
expectations when it comes to the the point where many wireless laptop users take WLAN access for granted in most
media content they've aquired-they hotels, airports and coffee shops.
expect that they should be able toexperience the content without Content, Content Everywhere.
hassles and extraneous restrictions. Many technical factors are pushing the embedding of WLAN technology into CE
Fortunately, wireless local area devices, such as the technology's cost-effectiveness and its increasing throughput
network (WLAN) technology based on rates, as well as its extended coverage and robustness. But just as important, if not
IEEE 802.11 is making its way into more so, are the forces that are at work in the marketplace and which are pulling
consumer electronics (CE) devices. WLAN technology into CE devices. Consumer demand for rich multimedia content has skyrocketed in recent years.One example is the explosive sales of digital music. In a recent study marketresearch firm iSuppli noted that digital music will grow from 1.5 percent of all musicsales in the U.S. in 2004 to 25 percent by 2008. Other forms of digital content arecertainly growing at comparable rates. Given these trends, it is inevitable that consumers will demand more elegant ways of enjoying the content they are acquiring.Consumers have paid considerable amounts of hard-earned cash for content that isdifficult to experience because of the encumbrances of wires and other technicallimitations. WLAN technology embedded in CE devices offers consumers a glimmerof hope that someday soon they will be free to experience their media content ontheir terms. Today, video clips of news events and trailers, entire movies, music, photographs,music videos, pod-casts, animated e-mails, educational multimedia content andmuch more are flooding the Internet and many consumers are downloading and 2 Texas Instruments
saving this rich content. Especially with purchased content like music, games andmovies, consumers want to be able to move content from device to device, and take itwith them when they leave home. In today's mobile society, consumers balk at any limitations on where and when they might be able to experience their growing cache ofrich multimedia content. Unfortunately, several bottlenecks currently slow down the flow of multimedia contentfor most consumers. Practically all content must go through a personal computer, whichmust be cabled to other devices in order to transfer or share this content. Often, the veryact of connecting a cable to a connector on the back of a PC is clumsy, awkward and frustrating for consumers. As more wireless networks are deployed in homes and publicplaces, and as WLAN technology is embedded into more CE products, consumers willbegin to realize how true networking, not just cable replacement, enhances the enjoymentof multimedia content. Indeed, wireless networking has evolved considerably since its early days, but the availability of digital content and the need to share it has begun to usher in a wider proliferation of WLAN technology.
Evolution of In general, interest in wireless networks began building with the rise of the Internet, but theWireless accelerated adoption of broadband connectivity in recent years has given WLAN technologyNetworking another boost. ... [download for more]
