Enthusiasm for Wi-Fi(R) in Consumer Electronics Continues to Grow

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A new consumer poll, conducted by the Wi-Fi Alliance on the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show, demonstrates that Wi-Fi has become a sought after feature in consumer electronics. The poll results show strong interest in a wide variety of Wi-Fi-enabled entertainment applications, as well as a desire for a convenient, easy method to make those connections. With Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) Wi-Fi Direct technology becoming available later this year, Wi-Fi is poised to become an even more important purchase requirement for consumer electronics devices in 2010.

Seventy-four percent of respondents to the poll reported interest in Wi-Fi-enabled speakers to play music throughout a home, and 74 percent also said they would like to use the technology to watch movies or television on any screen in the house. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported interest in wirelessly connecting quickly and directly to a printer without having to join a network and 54 percent wanted the ability to use Wi-Fi to synch a portable audio player to a music library without use of cables or a docking station.

Consumers were also polled on the forthcoming Wi-Fi Direct technology, which will enable electronics, handsets and notebooks to connect directly to one another without using an access point or requiring an internet connection. Planned for mid-2010, Wi-Fi Direct will be suitable for a wide range of entertainment devices, and will include simple Wi-Fi Protected Setup(TM) methods to connect devices and enable security protections.

When given a description of Wi-Fi Direct, 79 percent of respondents reported that they were interested in seeing Wi-Fi Direct technology incorporated into new devices. Sixty percent agreed that Wi-Fi Direct represents a "more amazing invention than digital television that delivers hundreds of channels to your home."

"It's clear that consumers are ready for a truly connected entertainment experience, and they want high performance and convenience," said Wi-Fi Alliance executive director Edgar Figueroa. "Wi-Fi technology, especially in the age of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) n and Wi-Fi Direct, delivers the winning recipe to make that vision a way of life."

Although poll respondents indicated a strong interest in connecting entertainment devices without wires, they want the wireless connection to be easy to set up. For example, although about half of the respondents (44 percent) estimated it would take them more than 30 minutes to display digital photos on a television screen today, 68 percent stated they would be interested in doing so "with little more than the push of a button."

"Wi-Fi is fast becoming the technology of choice when it comes to connecting consumer electronics, and we expect that trend to solidify as we enter the next decade," said Victoria Fodale, senior analyst and market intelligence manager at In-Stat. "With industry innovation making it easier and more convenient to connect, consumers will embrace Wi-Fi in devices ranging from TVs and home music systems to gaming devices and portable media players."

Recent shipment data released by In-Stat indicates that more than 475 million Wi-Fi chipsets were shipped in 2009, and predicts that shipments of Wi-Fi chipsets for consumer electronics devices will grow more than 25 percent each of the next four years. Wi-Fi Alliance certification data also reflects the growing inclusion of Wi-Fi in consumer electronics: the number of consumer electronics devices to become Wi-Fi CERTIFIED in 2009 increased by 128% compared to 2008, with the largest change in televisions and digital video recorder/player devices.

Wi-Fi Alliance will demonstrate Wi-Fi Direct for media and analysts at CES. To schedule a demonstration, contact Karl Stetson ([email protected] / (206) 715-4416). For more information about Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi technology, visit www.wi-fi.org.

Methodological note: The Wi-Fi Alliance survey was conducted among 1,002 nationally representative Americans ages 18+. The interviews were conducted online by Wakefield Research between December 11th and December 17th, 2009 using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population over ages 18 and older.

About the Wi-Fi Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global non-profit industry association of hundreds of leading companies devoted to the proliferation of Wi-Fi technology across devices and market segments. With technology development, market building, and regulatory programs, the Wi-Fi Alliance has enabled widespread adoption of Wi-Fi worldwide.

The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) program was launched in March 2000. It provides a widely-recognized designation of interoperability and quality, and it helps to ensure that Wi-Fi-enabled products deliver the best user experience. The Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 6,000 product certifications to date, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services in new and established markets.

Wi-Fi®, Wi-Fi Alliance®, WMM®, Wi-Fi Protected Access® (WPA), the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo, the Wi-Fi logo, and the Wi-Fi ZONE logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance; Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM), Wi-Fi Protected Setup(TM), Wi-Fi Multimedia(TM), and the Wi-Fi Alliance logo are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

SOURCE Wi-Fi Alliance