According to the GSMA, there now are nine billion connected devices in the world today. By 2020, there will be 24 billion, and over half of them will be non-mobile devices such as household appliances. But a large number of those devices will be used for content consumption.
Tablets and e-readers are primary examples, but smart phones and other devices also increasingly are being used to consumer content of various types.
Pandora, Spotify, Rdio and MOG are examples of audio services, while Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Amazon and others are creating video services. Barnes & Noble and Amazon are racing to create robust connected device “print media” alternatives. Media impact
Connected automobiles are another venue where Wi-Fi connections will allow streaming media services to compete with the likes of broadcast radio and Sirius XM.
How soon, and how effective, video services will be able to compete with broadcast TV and video subscription services probably is a tougher call.
Ultimately, all the choices are going to further fragment the media universe, and should, over time, create the possibility of shifts in advertising, subscription and on-demand video viewing as well.
