Community Distribution & WiFi Revolution

On a similar note, I was talking (loudley) with a friend the other day about the importance of TV online - he was arguing that it will never work as people won’t watch TV on their computer, they’ll watch it on their TV - I argued that people will because there is more to it than just watching TV.

I fully believe people will still be watching mainstream, linear television for at least another ten to twenty years - but the people doing so will be doing it a lot less than now.

Over the next ten years or so people will be watching shows on demand (not sky+ on demand) but BBC i-Player on demand where you can get the show as soon as its been published and at any time for a week or so (not having to remember to tell your system to record it).

On Demand

One of the reasons people will be watching shows on demand more and more (beyond the obvious time shifting reason) is the ability to share, spread and comment on the show.

If you have a show on your computer you can watch it, send it to friends, talk about it on a message board or chat room, blog about it or take a clip from it and use it in say a project for school (or for your kids school project).

The real reason watching tv online will work is community - the sharing, swapping and communicating with other people about it - probably during the show as well, the abililty to pause halfway through and look up an obscure reference to something in the show and then carry on watching when you know what it means.

Instant Interaction

Even the ability to click on say a computer screen shown on the video that has a website displayed and then have the media player open your browser and show you that website - or less impressively click on a name in the credits and have it take you to their IMDB profile.

Of course when I mention ‘computer’ I refer to any system connected to the internet, that could be a mac mini plugged into your tv and acting as your main entertainment system, hooked up to the net through a wifi connection that also links it to your laptop and desktop machines.

Speaking of WiFi, I was also talking to a different friend about various forms of content distrobution including DAB for radio, DTT, the web and Cable for TV.

WiFi Revolution Wii
Not a Nintendo post

We were discussing whether DAB or even DTT had any shelf life beyond a few years and decided that, as more and more cities and towns install high bandwidth WiFi networks across the city (and people can use them at home) DAB will be replaced with WiFi radios in the home, in the car or even in your mobile phone.

Real convergence of technology won’t be in the form of a one for all gadget but in the delivery method for the content.

I have no desire to use a 17″ screen that lets me browse the internet, watch tv, talk to friends on the phone, listen to mp3s, take photos and listen to the radio - why - because I like having specialised tools for specialised jobs.

I carry a bag everywhere I go - in that bag I have a small camera (big one stays at home), a mobile phone, a pda, an iPod and something called a Nagra for recording voice in high quality - I’m sure I’ll have a video iPod at some point when I can afford it as well.

I have these seperate things because if you use a Swiss Army Knife to cut down a tree it’ll do it but it might take a while - whereas if you get a power saw to cut down a tree then it will do it in no time (but remember to replant after cutting the tree down).

The real convergence will be through the delivery of content or the swapping of content from my various devices.

Something for Everything Everywhere

I want to be able to use my iPod to download tunes from itunes or update my podcasts while I’m on the train, I want to be able to watch live tv or my on demand shows (even streamed) while sitting in the park, I want to be able to listen to the radio anywhere and on deamnd and I want to be able to send photos to work or my family while I’m out and about.

When WiFi coverage is at least the same as GSM and we can connect anywhere to a broadband connection for a monthly flat fee (anywhere being in the world) then I’ll be a happy man.

Just imagine, digital tv, radio, telecommunications and the web available anywhere you go all delivered over the internet (www, voip etc…) on demand, live streamed, when you want or even when you can.

That’s my utopia now we just need governments to realise the importance and potential benefits of universal wifi coverage.

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