Largest Directory of Free Wi-Fi Hotspots
JiWire has expanded the world’s most complete and accurate directory of free Wi-Fi hotspots by integrating into its hotspot directory additional data from Wi-Fi FreeSpot, a leading provider of information about free Wi-Fi hotspots. The move strengthens JiWire’s lead in the emerging Wi-Fi 2.0 arena, as JiWire has long had the world’s largest registry of verified public Wi-Fi networks. JiWire leverages its unique database of Wi-Fi hotspot information to deliver location-aware advertising and content to hotspot users. Free downloads of JiWire’s Wi-Fi hotspot directory and information concerning the location-aware JiWire Hotspot Advertising Network can be found at www.jiwire.com.
A Fresh Take on the Virtual World
The tech savvy kids, who are the next generation of consumers, will live, play and buy as much in virtual worlds as they do in real life. Enter Planet Cazmo — a new, browser-based persistent world, developed for the massive teen and tween market, with a focus on integrating real-world music, games, entertainment and consumer brands into one easily accessible online community.
Visitors to Planet Cazmo will have many activities to choose from, including creating and dressing their own virtual characters, customizing their homes and gardens, forming a neighborhood with friends, playing mini-games, watching music videos and film trailers or trading music play lists. A higher level of customization than previously seen in any browser-based virtual world will allow self-expression and user generated content to thrive in a controlled, safe setting for kids.
To learn more about this virtual world and to sign up for Planet Cazmo’s beta program go to www.planetcazmo.com.
Portable PCs and Emerging Markets
Worldwide PC shipments rose 7.3 percent from a year ago to 64.7 million units in the fourth quarter of 2006, according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. This was slightly slower than the past several quarters, and down from more than 15 percent in 2004 and 2005. Fourth quarter growth was also a few points behind expectations as slow commercial buying — particularly of Desktops in more mature regions — constrained the market.
Annually, PC shipments reached 227.7 million units with growth of 9.5 percent and shipment value of $231.9 billion with growth of 6.1 percent. Desktop volume of 138.3 million units was up less than 2 percent over 2005, while Portable shipments of 82.4 million were up 26.3 percent. While Desktop volume will grow by low single-digit rates throughout the forecast with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8 percent from 2006 to 2011, Portable PC shipments will maintain a CAGR of 16.1 percent over the same period. As a result, Portable PCs will represent more than 50 percent of all Client PCs worldwide in 2011 with a CAGR for Client PC shipments of 9.1 percent.
The role of emerging markets is also growing. Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) and the Rest of World (including Latin America, Canada, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa) represented more than 50 percent of Desktop PC shipments in 2006 and will represent more than 50 percent of all worldwide PC shipments in 2011.
“Slower growth in Desktops and in relatively mature regions changes the market dynamics a bit,” said Loren Loverde, director of IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. “A strong Portable offering is becoming more important, and while local players have a larger share of international markets, the shift to Portables will favor the largest players. Portables are picking up some of the slack from Desktops and will benefit from improved security, power management, and new designs supported by Vista. While more replacements and Vista adoption may provide a brief respite for Desktops in 2008, essentially all Desktop growth will occur in emerging regions.”
