Wi-Fi to trigger new consumer apps

Wi-Fi will encourage manufacturers to provide a range of new goods and services for homes, comms consultancy BWCS has predicted.

The home entertainment market is moving into a new phase of increasing convergence between PC and TV applications, using wireless, that will change the way home entertainment devices are used, according the firm's analysts.

"The Wi-Fi networked home brings together many different interest groups, including ISPs, electronic goods manufacturers and content providers," said Peter Kingsland, senior analyst at BWCS.

"Wi-Fi provides a route for all these groups to offer new consumer content and applications."

As wireless chips drop in price and become more powerful, other devices such as cameras and MP3 players will also adopt Wi-Fi, allowing files, video clips and photographs to be shared throughout the home.

But BWCS warned that differing 802.11 standards and Wi-Fi's battle with Bluetooth will need to be overcome before the networked home can fully take off.

"Bluetooth can be used in a number of electronic goods, but Wi-Fi is in ascendancy right now and will certainly be needed for bandwidth-intensive video and audio transfers," said Kingsland.