skip to:
Future of Wireless advertising
What's the deal with wireless?
Even before everyone has had a chance to become wired, more and more people are looking to get un-plugged. Wireless technology is taking over the air waves and there does not seem to be much that anyone can do to stop it, not that anyone would want to. Freedom from wires, chords, cables, and plugs “brings added convenience and mobility” (Mitchell, nd, "Wireless") to all those electronic devices that everyone has become so attached. However, although wireless technology may seem like the latest and greatest thing since sliced bread, it’s probably been around a lot longer. Mathias (2004) argues that wireless technology actually dates back more than 200 years to Benjamin Franklin and his famed kite experiment, which led to the discovery that electricity could indeed pass through the air. Click on the dates below to hear about other noteworthy historical contributions to wireless technology:
The list of noteworthy contributions could go on and on, but the point is that wireless technology has been in development for a while, and it does not seem to be slowing down. In fact, “There are now more people working in wireless communications than at any other time in history” (Mathias, 2004). Today it is about more than just sending sound or electricity through the air though; it is about integration, essentially diffusing the internet over any and every time and place, on any and every electronic device. For example, now when people take their laptops away from the desk, the Internet can come with them. Places like airports, coffee shops, and universities are becoming more equipped to offer wireless services. In addition, people are able to access e-mail via PDAs, handhelds, and even cell phones (McDonough, 2002; Beasty, 2005). Cell phones are actually becoming a fairly big focus for Internet services. In fact, “Many cellular providers sell Internet subscription plans separate from their voice network contracts” (Mitchell, nd, "Wireless"). People can download ringtones onto their cell phones, and soon may even be able to use them to participate in online communities. Cingular has made a deal with Rabble, “a [San-Diego based] service aimed at connecting like minded young people,” to offer subscribers an opportunity to share opinions, photographs, local event information and more, all through their cell phones (“Cingular to test,” 2006). According to Conahan, chief executive of Rabble, ‘…this is going to be bigger than Web-based blogging in a couple years,’ (“Cingular to test,” 2006). Whether cellular communities will actually take off can be debated, but the opportunity certainly looms ahead. However, as McDonough (2002) notes, “Wireless is still in its infancy.” The possibilities are only beginning to burgeon.
While there are a number of wireless technologies out there, it seems that two in particular are taking the forefront. Click image below to find out more.
Kristen Buonanno ADV391k Spring_06