Deviscapes Q4 2009 WIFI Report

Devicescape, the leader in Easy WiFi, performed a very detailed WiFi (preference and trend) report in 2009 with nearly 3,000 survey respondents around the world. The survey queried a cross-section of Devicescape's members, a group that includes a variety of professionals and students.

The report found that a majority of users (sixty-eight percent) will view advertisements in exchange for free WiFi. It also found that Sixty-three percent of respondents would like to receive coupons from nearby Easy WiFi venues for product discounts. If a condition is to view an advertisement for free WiFi access at a cafe or other Easy WiFi Network venue, the majority of respondents (eighty-one percent) are willing to view the sponsored advertisements. The report showed that a majority (67 percent) of respondents still will not pay for WiFi, while twenty-five percent stated they would pay up to $3.

We already know about the importance and demand for WiFi from prior quarters' reports, the most recent survey aimed to uncover compelling new trends that will shape the face of WiFi over the next few years. I think the use of advertising is an important trend to watch, one that will likely help offset the cost of providing free WiFi to users. In general, attitudes toward the ads were encouraging, as a majority of survey respondents indicated they would watch advertisements in exchange for free WiFi service. This opens the doors for endless opportunities in the near future.

Devicescape: Thank you for Easy Wi-Fi

The BOCA and Devicescape Teams have tremendous history.

Before Devicescape, I personally used to work with Dave Fraser, Devicescape’s CEO, at Wind River. Wind River, now Intel, was the publicly traded 800 pound gorilla within its space—the embedded systems space.

Embedded systems or device software touches people every day. Device software is everything from consumer gadgets to military or aerospace electronics. From gaming consoles to airbags, there is software everywhere. And, I love it. My dirty secret – I have a thing for device software and semiconductors. (Note: BOCA has other experience. This is just my little passion).

At Wind River we talked about the “connected world.” Years back we discussed the fact that people would be downloading or uploading and connecting to data, to services, to content.

Devicescape has kept that vision in its site. We don’t talk about it as much as we used to – but we all know that every move we make needs to help making the world connected.

In step Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is everywhere. From cafes, to libraries, to homes and offices—we all love Wi-Fi and want Wi-Fi. Devicescape has harnessed that wildly fragmented technology and wants manufacturers to embrace it, embed it, download it and give it to their customers: the consumer.

Today Devicescape announced its latest Easy Wi-Fi connectivity solution and a new Easy Wi-Fi Network. Device manufacturers can literally ship their gadgets with Wi-Fi, but more importantly the ability to find Wi-Fi and connect to Wi-Fi. What does that mean…me the consumer can upload, download and stream?

Beyond the gadgets, I am tethered to my computer all the time. I drive up and down the 101 to visit clients. I need Wi-Fi. The Easy Wi-Fi Network will improve my life. I know we are just at the beginning – but this will be a great ride.
Kudos for helping us move to a connected world. And, thank you!

Venture Beat
Devicescape launches network to get gadgets online, wherever you roam

http://venturebeat.com/2009/10/06/devicescape-launches-latest-version-of-its-global-wi-fi-hotspot-network/

“The Easy Wi-Fi Network provides device manufacturers with a solution. Devicescape makes it easy to find and connect to Wi-Fi hot spots, and it offers lifetime Wi-Fi access plans that can be shipped with the products themselves. The solution could be bundled with devices such as netbooks (which are smaller than laptops), media players, phones, digital cameras, and eBook readers, said Dave Fraser, chief executive of Devicescape.”

Wi-Fi Net News
Devicescape Adds Seamless Wi-Fi Access Service, Mapping

http://wifinetnews.com/archives/2009/10/devicescape_adds_seamless_wi-fi_access_service_mapping.html

“The firm's CEO, Dave Fraser, said, "It's obvious that there's a big attraction for putting Wi-Fi into devices, whether it's netbooks, new types of consumer electronics, like media players or ebook readers," and so on. But device makers have a challenge.”

“Fraser said companies could "ship the device with service included, which is theoretically a great experience for the consumer, because it just works," but that's "very expensive for them." Nintendo, Kodak, and a few camera makers all included free access for a limited time to hotspot networks (Nintendo partnered with Wayport in the U.S.; Kodak and others with T-Mobile).”

Converge
Devicescape Aggregates Global, Free Wi-Fi Network
http://www.convergedigest.com/WiFi/wlanarticle.asp?ID=28648

“The Easy Wi-Fi Network provides an easy-to-use hotspot location finder, enabling users to quickly find the nearest free Wi-Fi access point. The addition of a seamless Wi-Fi access service and a mapping enables device manufacturers to ship products with lifetime worldwide hotspot access.”

“The company said this paves the way for a new range of devices -- such as e-book readers or wireless-enabled digital cameras, to gain Internet backhaul capability without the device manufacturer needing to negotiate a mobile data access deal with a service providers. Devicescape aggregates data on a worldwide network of hotspots into its client, which is licensed to the device manufacturer.”