We can all recall the terror-filled moment when we decided to create a home network. Just as two programs to ease the process gain steam, iCloud comes along, and risks making the whole concept of home AV networks obsolete.
“If they are more convenient for consumers, mobile cloud services could completely bypass the need for integration with home networks or entertainment equipment,” ABI Research analyst Kevin Burden said. Apple’s iCloud recently became the latest to offer services enabling consumers to store and retrieve music, photos and other data on the Internet. The iCloud service will be part of iOS 5 and available to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners. Both Google and Amazon have offered similar but more limited cloud-based options.
Before the rush to embrace cloud computing, networking firms were emphasizing two new technologies for smartphones: DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct. “Both programs help mitigate the difficulties that consumers often face when connecting devices at home, and both bring wireless technology further into the mainstream market,” said senior analyst Victoria Fodale. Smartphones with the new technology were expected to grow by 63 percent and 23 percent, respectively. However, home networking is projected to grow by only 4 percent.
What are your plans for iCloud? Will you use cloud-computing to replace streaming video and audio over home networking?
