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Is WiMAX ready for primetime?

I

IBOCRocks

Guest
Although this isn't 100% HD Radio related, some people point to WiMAX as a competitor.

Though the reference article is bullish about WiMAX, the comments show that it may not be "there" yet:

http://www.**********.com/shownews/78242

Of course, this may change with some competition by Sprint. What say you? :)
 
No doubt, WiMax is a direct competitor to HD Radio, which is supposed to bring Wireless Internet and Internet Radio to portable devices and automobiles by 2008. Interesting though, I just saw an advertisement on TV for the new Cingular Wireless broadband network, where a lady in a car sticks the laptop modem access card into her laptop, while riding down the road. Wow, won't that be something, with this new technology linking up WiFi hotspots !

Cingular Launches 3G Wireless Network

"The new service is called Cingular BroadbandConnect, and is available to nearly 35 million throughout the United States. The company said it would continue to extend the network rapidly next year."

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/PqlwAPppt2rOWm/Cingular-Launches-3G-Wireless-Network.xhtml
 
My Verizon 3G phone already works in 80 out 83 counties in Michigan.

The internet streaming even works! (I have Windows Media Player and Real Player installed).
 
audiophile. said:
My Verizon 3G phone already works in 80 out 83 counties in Michigan.

The internet streaming even works! (I have Windows Media Player and Real Player installed).
Click to expand...

It's still not practical is a portable audio device however...how many people are going to go through the effort of getting a laptop, buying the card, and then finding an adapter to hook it up to their car stereo? Not to mention (again) that it's against Verizon's terms of service to stream audio. Sure you can do it, but they can, and have, disconnected service for doing so.

On top of all of that, you're looking at $45 a month for the priviledge.
 
IBOCRocks: "It's still not practical is a portable audio device however...how many people are going to go through the effort of getting a laptop, buying the card, and then finding an adapter to hook it up to their car stereo? Not to mention (again) that it's against Verizon's terms of service to stream audio. Sure you can do it, but they can, and have, disconnected service for doing so. On top of all of that, you're looking at $45 a month for the priviledge."

Once this gets going, do you think anyone is going to care about HD Radio - oh what am I saying, it already is going ! I think a ton of people would be willing to pay just $45/month. And, Cingular is moving this to their phones, too:

"Burton Group Senior Analyst Mike Disabato told TechNewsWorld that the laptop modem cards, which retail for about US$100, are fine but the industry needs to focus on phones that work with the high-speed wireless networks."

Heck, you can already get Internet Radio over Sprint, Verizon, and Cingular cell phones. HD Radio is barely out of the starting gates and is already old technology - this other technology is moving leaps and bounds in a heartbeat !

audiophile: "My Verizon 3G phone already works in 80 out 83 counties in Michigan.The internet streaming even works! (I have Windows Media Player and Real Player installed)."

And, look at audiophile - who cares about HD Radio !
 
audiophile,

Can I ask you, how much all this is costing you ?
 
I've noticed that a lot of younger people, who grew up with a cell phone in their hand, don't think anything of spending well over $100 per month for phones with email capabilities, cameras, mp3 players, video, etc. It is a whole different mind-set. I'm too old (and too cheap) to want that kind of stuff, but the folks who fit the demographics that everyone seems to think advertisers love, are the ones who will buy them.

I recently helped my 25 year old nephew move. He must have had a half dozen (or more) old cell phones sitting around. It seems every time they come out with one with a new feature, he just has to have it, and puts the old phone in a drawer. I hate to think how much he spends every month on these things. It doesn't seem to bother him any. I don't think he is alone.

The ability to receive streaming audio "radio" over a cell phone will just be another feature that some people will really want, regardless of price. And let’s not forget about video. You can get that too. It's a one box does everything solution. I can see its appeal, even if I may not choose to personally participate. Then again, I just might one of these days.
 
IBOCRocks: "Is WiMAX ready for primetime? Of course, this may change with some competition by Sprint. What say you?"

I'de say, either you are worried about WiMax, or thinking about jumping in.
 
700WLW said:
IBOCRocks: "Is WiMAX ready for primetime? Of course, this may change with some competition by Sprint. What say you?"

I'de say, either you are worried about WiMax, or thinking about jumping in.
Click to expand...

Actually neither. I happened to see the story and read the comments this afternoon, and thought I'd share since WiMax has been discussed before.
 
audiophile. said:
It's still not practical is a portable audio device however...how many people are going to go through the effort of getting a laptop, buying the card, and then finding an adapter to hook it up to their car stereo?
Click to expand...

Huh? The whole thing fits in my shirt pocket!

http://mobilitytoday.com/vbmcms/images/t_audiobox.jpg
Click to expand...

Ah. OK. How much was the phone? IIRC they were $299 with a contract. You still need to hook it up to your radio and pay for a data plan. The TOS still applies as well.
 
IBOCRocks: "Actually neither. I happened to see the story and read the comments this afternoon, and thought I'd share since WiMax has been discussed before."

But, I thought WiMax was off-topic - I think, you just wanted us to read the nasty comments !
 
700WLW said:
IBOCRocks: "Actually neither. I happened to see the story and read the comments this afternoon, and thought I'd share since WiMax has been discussed before."

But, I thought WiMax was off topic - I think, you just wanted us to read the nasty comments !
Click to expand...

Sorry. I didn't know WiMax was off topic. Like I said - the story itself was a positive one about WiMax, but the comments were negative, and then I opened the door to discuss.

Why do you insist on picking fights with me?
 
IBOCRocks: "Why do you insist on picking fights with me?"

Lighten up - I was just kidding around !
 
It doesn't cost me anything...

The boss pays it for as part of work. I know a few others that have with the same deal, one even works for the prison system, tracking tethered persons.

I think the unlimited internet service is $49.00 /mo., limited is $15 or so. Prices have dropped 50% in two years. You can even use at home for your ISP on your desktop PC with a piece of software.
 
audiophile. said:
It doesn't cost me anything...

The boss pays it for as part of work. I know a few others that have with the same deal, one even works for the prison system, tracking tethered persons.

I think the unlimited internet service is $49.00 /mo., limited is $15 or so. Prices have dropped 50% in two years. You can even use at home for your ISP on your desktop PC with a piece of software.
Click to expand...

That's a good deal! I still believe that the price is going to have to drop, though, before adoption rates will really climb.
 
I have a user with Verizon "tethered access" ....Its horrible at times.


I don't want my music listenning dictated by my ISP.....bring on more HD radio!
 
They never have bothered me or anybody else. I don't even know if it's in the contracts. Certainly they aren't going bother you if listen like a average radio user.

A friend of mine had his Comcast cut off due to "abuse" because he emailed wave files, never mind it was wave files he produced himself and only contained dry voice!
 
Chuck said:
I've noticed that a lot of younger people, who grew up with a cell phone in their hand, don't think anything of spending well over $100 per month for phones with email capabilities, cameras, mp3 players, video, etc. It is a whole different mind-set. I'm too old (and too cheap) to want that kind of stuff, but the folks who fit the demographics that everyone seems to think advertisers love, are the ones who will buy them.

I recently helped my 25 year old nephew move. He must have had a half dozen (or more) old cell phones sitting around. It seems every time they come out with one with a new feature, he just has to have it, and puts the old phone in a drawer. I hate to think how much he spends every month on these things. It doesn't seem to bother him any. I don't think he is alone.

The ability to receive streaming audio "radio" over a cell phone will just be another feature that some people will really want, regardless of price. And let’s not forget about video. You can get that too. It's a one box does everything solution. I can see its appeal, even if I may not choose to personally participate. Then again, I just might one of these days.
Click to expand...

The only achilles heel to all this great technology is battery life. Hopefully the engineers who are designing this stuff are keeping that in mind and are not just adding more features.

But it seems to me that stand-alone internet radio products are rapidly catching up with HD Radio products in number, at least for the home.

Here is a recent addition:
http://www.sonos.com/?tref=land&ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=Google+Adwords&ovcrn=sonos&ovtac=ppc

It will be interesting to see which technology will be the more accepted.

db
 
"The only achilles heel to all this great technology is battery life. Hopefully the engineers who are designing this stuff are keeping that in mind and are not just adding more features."

I thought there were instant portable cell phone chargers now, or something like that - maybe they could be used on this. My kids always want the latest and greatest cell phone, and have a couple of used ones laying around, as backup storage for phone numbers - neither they, nor any of their friends care about, or listen to radio.

"For Internet radio lovers: More stations, more countries. More stations: Sonos has expanded the Internet radio guide to include more than 300 stations, including new stations from France, Spain and Italy. More categories: Sonos now features country-specific categories in the Internet radio station guide, so international customers can easily find radio stations broadcast in their native countries."

HD Radio is already obsolete - there is no way HD Radio is going to be able to compete with this type of new technology.
 
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