How are your readers using WiFi?

Wireless internet use is getting to that "tipping point" stage. This research report distills some Pew data on who is using WiFi , where they are using it from, and why they use it. With about 20% of users getting onto the Internet via wireless networks, it shows that for 1 in 5 users, being connected means anywhere, anytime.

Reading email was one of the driving reasons that people used WiFi, and many read it via their phone or PDA. Many people have WiFi at home, and if you live with someone, especially if that includes teens, having WiFi so everyone can be online from all over the house is a driving reason to get WiFi.

Personally, I like sitting on my backporch in the summer and working and WiFi makes that possible. When I got my first Airport (now we use a Linksys box) I was the only one with a network. These days when we are at home in our suburban neighborhood, I can typically see 2 or more networks within my reach. Another interesting note: 2 years ago my neighbor laughed and said he didn't care when I told him that I could see and login to his network. Today, he is password protected, as are all the other networks I can see.

With municipal WiFi implementations in cities like Chicago, it sown't jsut be be suburban dwellers who can connect easily .