The Escalation of Wireless Internet
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Transcript of The Escalation of Wireless Internet
The Escalation of
Wireless Internet
By Ryan Woods
Follow me @rtwoods13
Image: cestaimee ~ Flickr
Are you showing symptoms of mobility, social & interpersonal interaction, as well as feeling connected
without being physically plugged in?
Image: Mae_L12 ~ PhotoBucket
Well then you must have a case of Wireless Internet.
Image: Natalie Marion
What is Wireless Internet?
Image Source: Alegriphotos
If you’ve been living under a rock or have been highly sheltered all your life…
Wireless internet is essentially a component that provides a mobile device with the ability to connect to the internet without the use of cables so long as the device is within range of a wireless network
Image: keithloaf1961 ~ Flickr
Through the escalation of broadband wireless Internet, access to the web has become almost unlimited amid the rapid development of
community wi-fi in public spaces.
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Image: Emilio Labrador ~ Flickr
The accessibility
is boundless…
Image: Adnan Islam ~ Flickr
“While the interpersonal component of the public sphere has become increasingly private, the structure of people’s social
networks has changed significantly.”
Quote: Keith N. Hampton Image: Pauly` ~ Flickr
Internet access in the public realm has reshaped, revitalized and
improved the processes of
privatism, and essentially social interaction & engagement.
Image: Pauly` - Flickr
The available and immediate connectivity that Wi-fi has to offer may even establish less social inequalities, as well as
an increased popularity toward public spaces.
Image: Paul White
“The experience of wireless Internet use in the public realm contrasts with traditional wired Internet use, which is confined primarily to the private realm of the
home and… workplace. “Quote: Keith N. Hampton et Al. Photo: Pauly`~ Flickr
Without wireless internet, we’d just be still using…
Well… old wired technology.
Image: Pauly`~ Flickr
But now, With broadband wireless Internet access, people can use a greater range of devices
(e.g., laptops, the iPhone, and “smart phones”) and applications and are not restricted to the
limited processing, display, and data entry capabilities of the traditional mobile phone.
Image: Ryan Woods
“People can now readily use mobile devices in urban
public spaces and expect an Internet experience that is similar to wired
Internet access at home and work.”
Source: Hampton et Al, The Social Life in Urban Places… Image: Mo Riza ~ Flickr
Mobile phone networks are only one example of wireless communications that are capable of providing broadband
Internet access to phones, laptops, and other mobile devices.
Wi-fi networks are an additional opportunity for wireless connectivity.
Image: Alegriphotos
In 2007,
41% of Americans had used wireless Internet access…
but only 16% had used the internet on a smart phone or other handheld device…
By 2009 this had increased to
59% and 32% respectively. Source: (Purcell, Entner & Henderson 2010)(Horrigan, 2008).
“Wi-fi networks [can] range from the formal to the
accidental and from corporate to
counter-culture.”Source: Hampton et Al,
The Social Life in Urban Places…
Image: Cordey ~ Flickr
With the consumption of wireless networks, generally, the benefits of wi-fi include considerable opportunities
towards the provision of city services, economic development, and the diminution of social inequalities.
Image: Sharyn Morrow ~ Flickr
How has wireless Internet affected urban spaces?
Image: ercwttmn ~ Flickr
Free. A word you
rarely hear in today’s society
without a catch to it.
Image: Jiaren Lau ~ Flickr
However, when it comes to Free Wifi…
often places really mean free… more or less. Image: Emma Besseau
These include Wireless community networks: Grassroots, non- profit associations that afford local, generally free,
wireless Internet access.
Image: Pauly` ~ Flickr
Free wi-fi is often used as a marketing tool to gain a larger audience in places. This marketing ploy
is used in such places as Starbucks,
and even McDonalds.
Image: Ryan Woods
Image: Elvert Barnes ~ Flickr
Coffee shops and restaurants were often used for intimate social communications… Coffee shops and restaurants were often
used for intimate social communications…
…but now, these locations are
mainly being used as a place for one
individual to go to communicate
socially, in terms of social media(s).
…but now, these locations are
mainly being used as a place for one
individual to go to communicate
socially, in terms of social media(s).
These urban areas that are
catered by Free Wi-fi access are known as Hotspots
Image: David Goehring ~ Flickr
Hotspots are limited locations where Wireless internet access, such as a coffee shop, bookstore, or airport lounge.
Access is typically associated with pay-per-use or the purchase of a product (e.g. a cup of coffee).
Image: N i c o l a ~ Flickr
Hotspots have become a universal feature of the urban environment.
Image: Thomas Duesing ~ Flickr
According to Hampton’s article on the social life in urban places… There are “complex ways in which this new technology is
implicated in contemporary social processes in public spaces.”
Source: Hampton et Al, The Social Life in Urban Places… Image: Benjamin Ellis ~ Flickr
There is speculation of additional social benefits by using wireless Internet in public spaces.
promotion of social cohesion community building stimulation of democracy
revitalization & repopulation of civic spaces
This includes:
What are the
factors of wireless access when it comes to establishing location popularity?
#1 Reputation #2 Availability #3 Urban Design #4 Local Culture #5 Population Density #6 Surveillance/Harassment #7 Early Establishment of Wi-fi
Source: Observations on seven public spaces in the United States & Canada
Ratio of wi-fi usersbetween men to women
3:1
...with single, white, young male adults predominating.
Source: 344 women and 966 men were observed using laptops in a study for Wireless Urban Spaces
Why is the
ratio so high for men than women?
Women are more likely to go to an indoor public space with wi-fi, because they may perceive indoor public spaces to be safer from harassment, as well as containing fewer social indications that promote the exclusion of females, compared to similar outdoor environments.
Image: OpenEye ~ Flickr
Approximately
80%
of wireless users are alone.
Female laptop users were as likely as males to be alone.
Source: Study of Wireless internet Users in urban places
Image: Okko Pyykkö ~ Flickr
Decreased public sociability occurs among collocated companions whenever there is accessibility to wireless internet.
Image: Curtis W
Are Wireless users becoming anti-social?
Often, many individuals actively work to shield themselves from the gaze of others, thus minimizing opportunities for interaction.
Don’t deny it. We’ve all done it… whether it’s hiding behind your screen from someone or pretending to text in the elevator to break that awkward silence, or the opportunity for interaction.
Image: Thomas Duesing ~ Flickr
Wireless Internet users tend to occupy areas within urban public spaces that are relatively sparsely populated.
Image: clemsonunivlibrary ~ Flickr
Often, users will temporarily withdraw
into the
niches of public spaces
– corners, next to shelves, behind stands – when using their devices…
Image: AndYaDontStop ~ Flickr
On the other hand, for wireless Internet users,
niches are not temporary retreats,
they can become everlasting shelters. Need image
Image: Ballistik Coffee Boy ~ Flickr
Location, Location, Location… but where to go?
There are high demands for location with other infrastructure needs, such as comfortable seating and the presence of power outlets.
Image: Erin E. ~ Flickr
Studies suggest that the reduced attention to surroundings, a focus on private, head-down activities,
and limited response from the environment suggests that wireless Internet users are exposed to significantly
less social diversity in urban public spaces.
Image: Tiren M ~ Flickr
Internet use in public spaces can offer a break of productivity away from the distractions of the home and workplace.
•
Image: Janis Joplin
Wireless Internet use makes the ability to
connect and share with
existing social
networks more
portable and readily
accessible.
•
Image: Pauly` ~ Flickr
Many wi-fi users are new
users of urban public spaces,
and the pre-existing users of a public space become even
more frequent visitors
as a result of wi-fi availability.
Image: Christian Zibreg
“Wireless Internet users found in urban public spaces
were embedded in large, diverse social networks.
While in urban public spaces, their online activities
were directed at maintaining those networks. They were heavily involved
in e-mail and instant message exchanges and
were using social networking websites.”
“Wireless Internet users found in urban public spaces
were embedded in large, diverse social networks.
While in urban public spaces, their online activities
were directed at maintaining those networks. They were heavily involved
in e-mail and instant message exchanges and
were using social networking websites.”
Image: Terry Johnston ~ FlickrSource: Hampton et Al, The Social Life in Urban Places…
The availability of ubiquitous wireless Internet access may allow people to renegotiate time to consume a broader
range of news and social media content online than they otherwise
would.
Image: Cheryl MacDonald
“An infrastructure for wireless Internet connectivity within urban spaces
may have unanticipated and positive consequences for participation in the public sphere
– including diverse social engagement – beyond what could have previously been afforded by urban public spaces that are
free of Internet connectivity”
Source: Hampton et Al, The Social Life in Urban Places… Image: Tony Hall ~ Flickr
Wireless Internet has been nothing short of revolutionary in how people connect with other users,
anytime, anywhere.
thanks for coming.Image: koffeeben ~DeviantArt