Mobile Internet

We have all long hated the cell phone companies for their expensive plans and unfriendly services. The recent developments with Verizon, ATT and T-Mobile all starting to offer $99.99 unlimited plans are good for the consumers. I would like to see more power to the consumers such as complete elimination of activation/termination fees and easy transfer to other carrier providers.

While thinking about what other conveniences I would like to have, I have realized that the cell phone companies currently do not provide just the data plan - to access the web. I don't like the voice+data bundle - just want the data plan. I can't lug around my laptop everywhere, so free wi-fi or a broadband card like the ones from Verizon don't cut it for me.

I would like to see a portable device such as mobile phones or mp3 players providing such plans. Better yet, free internet on mobile phones ala free wi-fi spots?

Its time for a disruptive business model so the power is shifted back into the hands of the consumer. Its time to from $99/month plans to $10/month. A couple of half-baked thoughts:

1. A portable internet device could eliminate the need for a cell phone because if the web access is good, I could use a lot of web phone services either free of cost or at throw-away prices. This model has the potential to avoid a lot of overhead charges that you would have with a regular cell phone provider.
2. Here is a stretch. Since most of the free services these days seem to revolve around ad-driven revenue, can somebody dare to think of providing free wireless phone service with mobile ads? :) A Google AdSense driven model could scan the conversations and send relevant ads to the mobile phone :)
   

Crazy. I know. I still think we need a "game-changer" to shake up this industry. I'm pretty sure that day is not far away.

In-line Video Ad-blocker

If you are just crawling from under a rock, here is some news for you. The future is digital. More and more content is getting distributed over the internet in digital format. Online video is now everywhere. YouTube has become part of our existence. With more eyeballs getting glued to online streaming content, can advertising be far behind? Video ads, in-line ads with various levels of interactivity are the new advertising models.

I can't think of a time I enjoyed an advertisement while watching a video online. I am sure I'm not the only one that feels this way. I hope I will have at least the following options to get around this pain.

In-line Video Ad Blocker
You have an ad blocker for everything. Pop-ups. Banners. Even the new video advertisements. Why not for the new wave of in-line video ads? I'm sure there is enough market for people who don't want to look at any advertisements distracting them from watching the content. This Ad Blocker could be extended not just to the internet but various other devices we use such as mobiles and Web TV.

Ad-free Content
Ok. It is not new. Nonetheless, the digital distributors who respect the content user's right to not be pummeled with the ads, can offer content without advertisements. I will certainly pay premium for the ad-free content just like I do for the ad-free channels in my cable.

Lets see what the future brings.