1. The combination of G3 Wireless technology which allows Internet data to be transmitted at high speed to mobile technology and
2. The continued infrastructure growth of cellular networks and WiFi hotspots.
In effect, I suggested that what Satellite Radio provides now from space could eventually be eclipsed by a ground-based wireless network that effectively provides the same coverage to end users.
At the time, I wasn't aware of a product recently introduced which testifies to those possibilities.
The world’s first portable compact Internet radio device, developed within Australia by Torian was recently highlighted at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
It's called InFusion.
A technology called iRoamer, owned by Torian and developed for Torian by another Australian company, Grey Innovation, provides InFusion with a portable Internet radio connection allowing it to tune into any streaming radio station, anywhere in the world while in a wireless hot spot.
InFusion has other features such as audio recording either directly from the Internet or via a timer, MP3 player, news/sport/weather banner, FM receiver, and rechargeable batteries. These features are all contained within a portable handheld device, approximately the size of a credit card.
Infusion has apparently impressed people. It was voted one of the top three products in the ‘Audio to go’ category of the "G4TechTV Best of CES 2005 Awards" which included all portable digital audio players, portable satellite radio receivers, speakers and headphones.
