Just when you think you’re beginning to get a handle on all the new media challenges, something different comes out of left field to challenge conventional thinking. In my world, this usually comes from our tech specialist, Tim Davis. Tim’s the guy who has led our company into the Internet, Web polling, the blogosphere, and other new spaces.
Tim sent me an article from Radio Ink about WiMax – a new technology that promises to connect moving vehicles to the Internet. In much the same way that cell phones provide a seamless transition as you travel (at least most of the time), WiMax promises to do the same. Thus, a laptop in a vehicle would remain connected, and it can’t be too long before automakers begin to build this technology into cars. 
So a reason to panic, celebrate, or a little of both? For satellite radio providers, the idea of a much bigger entertainment medium – the Internet – made available in vehicles (using a MAN – see chart above) cannot be good news. For terrestrial broadcasters, this is yet another clarion call to make sure that radio stations are providing streaming audio of our well-known brands. For now, streaming mostly takes place in home and workplaces, but with WiMax on the horizon, stations are going to need to have their streams in place, along with Web sites that are more than just blinking billboards. The integration of audio, video, and content is coming fast. We’d better be ready or the distractions that are out there now are going to seem quaint by comparison.
President & Founder at Jacobs Media
Fred Jacobs founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and quickly became known for the creation of the Classic Rock radio format.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
Latest posts by Fred Jacobs (see all)
- What About Bob? - March 12, 2025
- Inside “3 Minutes” – An Exclusive Interview With Nielsen’s Rich Tunkel - March 11, 2025
- Black Thursday At Audacy - March 10, 2025
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