Esme Vos thinks that by combining local search, Google AdSense and Google Maps, cities can build and offer wireless (WiFi) connectivity to residents. She writes, that this should give the business districts an incentive “to put up a mesh node on their premises to enable a provider of free Wi-Fi access to create a Wi-Fi cloud. And they would want this cloud to be as wide as possible (covering the entire city).” I think she has something there and this needs a group think. Though, I must strongly point out that most people outside of some parts of California don’t walk around with laptops. PDAs are sinking faster than Yankees chances of a World Championship, and well, the cell phones are more prevalent. Those random moments don’t happen to many without a computer. Lastly, has anyone tried Google SMS/mobile search. They work better and most people carry a cellphone.
If there were citywide free WiFi, I think more people would carry PDAs. Like anything of this nature, it will always have to be a build it and they will come sort of venture. The great thing about mesh WiFi vs other things like 3G, is that the cost to build it is so small. From a pure risk vs reward anlaysis, this seems like a no brainer.
Wie geht es dir mir geht es gut und selber