Wi-Fi in Consumer Electronics: The Swiss Army Knife Technology Wi-Fi in Consumer Electronics: The Swiss Army Knife Technology
Abstract Wi-Fi’s popularity in mobile PCs and home networks has not guaranteed its success in consumer electronics (CE). Many issues plagued early products with Wi-Fi including lack of consumer awareness, ease-of-use, battery life, throughput and range limitations, and high cost. Most of these concerns have now been addressed, and the cost of embedding Wi-Fi into devices has decreased significantly. Furthermore, the finalization of IEEE 802.11n in late 2009 will remedy the technical issues associated with 802.11b/g, which limited the integration of Wi-Fi into devices with more complex applications like video.
Because of its large installed base in mobile PCs and home networks, Wi-Fi deserves strong consideration as a solution to bring content into the living room, even as a companion technology. Its broad flexibility and utility, as well as its large and mature ecosystem, make Wi-Fi a valued, “Swiss army knife” technology for the CE market.
This report covers the global market for CE devices with Wi-Fi for 20 different applications within 7 device categories: home aggregators, external clients, mobile PCs, stationary CE, PC peripherals, portable CE, and handsets. The report provides annual shipment forecasts for the total available market, as well as the penetration of Wi-Fi, for each device through 2012. It also includes a brief discussion of 802.11n, WPAN, and competing wireless technologies.
Product Number: IN0803980WS Service: Wi-Fi Markets Publication Date: September 2008 Number of Pages: 28 Analyst: Victoria Fodale Price: $3,495 U.S. Dollars Read Press Release
