iPhones use wi-fi connection for almost half of all Internet requests; American Idol is DVR favorite; DVR users zap fewer cable programming ads

iPhone users love their Wi-Fi [CNET News]

The iPhone is proving that it's almost as popular a broadband appliance as it is a mobile device. A report from the online advertising company Admob reveals that 42 percent of iPhone Internet requests came from wi-fi connections instead of the 3G mobile network. There's some disagreement about why nearly half of the time iPhones are accessing the Internet they're using broadband. Some think that the mobile carrier's 3G network, which has had some high-profile issues, isn't cutting the mustard for iPhone users. Others cite the superior speed of broadband connections, the ease of use of iPhone's wi-fi feature, and the near ubiquity of wi-fi networks at work and home. 

Whatever the reason, this finding from Admob proves that wi-fi is an essential feature for smartphones, allowing users to leverage their broadband connections for mobile web browsing.

 'American Idol' is most timeshifted show of 2008 [EngadgetHD] 

It was the most watched show in 2008, and now Nielsen reveals that American Idol was also the most time-shifted show of the year. An additional 4 million DVR users viewed the popular show in the week following the initial broadcast of each episode. Even though American Idol is a popular show, the notion existed that the show might be "DVR-proof" because it's a live competition.

Of course, this only further the questions the television industry and how it must adapt to a world where consumers have more and more control over what they watch and when they watch it.  With the economic downturn in full swing, broadcasters must move swiftly to redefine their business model without looking solely to cable and satellite customers to foot the bill.

SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry public beta starts Dec 30th [Slashgear] 

I'm looking forward to the release of the SlingPlayer Moblie for the BlackBerry. With a BlackBerry connected to wi-fi or a 3G connection, a Sling user can watch place-shifted video just about anywhere. Users need a SlingBox connected to their television and broadband connection. The SlingPlayer application connects to the video stream coming from the SlingBox, displaying the video stream on the BlackBerry. The SlingPlayer application is set for release on December 30.

And this development further questions the broadband ISP business model of flat-rate billing.  As more customers tap their connections with heavy consumption apps, usage billing likely will be the only fair way to charge customers. 

I know, I'm ducking the flying tomatoes.

DVR Users Zap Fewer Ads on Cable Than Broadcast [Multichannel News - Bit Rate] 

Do you use your DVR to fast forward through or skip commercials? According to data from TiVo's StopWatch ratings service, cable show viewers skip fewer commercials with their DVR than viewers watching broadcast network shows. TiVo users watching time-shifted cable programming skipped 51% of commercials in October 2008. That compares to a hefty 64% of commercials skipped by TiVo users watching broadcast shows. 

Another interesting note about cable programming from TiVo's StopWatch is that the amount of time-shifted cable programming viewership grew substantially in 2008. Time-shifted broadcast programming declined, year over year.

The real challenge here is to institutionalize time shifted viewing into an advertising model that works.  Otherwise, consumers will have to foot a bigger portion of the cost of producing programming or the quality of those programs will begin to deteriorate.  We really have some very big challenges in front of us as technology continues to undermine conventional business models.