John, re:Question: if the cable companies provide the internet access
through cable, couldn't this evolve so that the cable company is the service provider,
but the cable modem and other hardware are incorporate into the "TV", similar to what
you have now with a PC?
Yes, but the problem will be agreeing on a standard, and fast! Cable technology was initially developed for broadcast only, so the technology has to be enhanced to get the same speed upstream as well as downstream. Yes, I think eventually you will see the "box" have all the hardware needed, and all you have to do is plug in the cable. But, right now, I think the cable guy has to install the cable modem in your PC as well as the software. Yes, I think we will also see "service providers", similar to phone companies, AOL, etc. In fact, @HOME is a service provider for cable access. I don't see why 1 service provider couldn't provide all your needs: Internet access, TV, phone, etc. Like you said, I think we'll still have separate components, since some people would not like to integrate TV/Computer/etc. Whatever form it takes, I think if the price is right (<$500), it can raise the current 40+% computers in the home, by 20-30% eventually.
joey |
