Is anyone else finding they have more Internet-connected devices now? Not gadgets where you can surf the Web, like a smart phone, but gadgets that access the Internet for a dedicated purpose. For example, my Slacker Portable radio has a Wi-Fi connection for refreshing my music stations. My Squeezebox connects to the Net for streaming live music. I’ve seen the idea touted in PowerPoint presentations for years: “Everything will be connected! Everything with have an IP address!” But this is the first time I’ve looked around and seen the prediction coming true in my own gadget life.
The trend doesn’t stop with music players either. Take the new ESPN tvCompass remote, or various widget stations that, admittedly, haven’t gained much traction yet. We’re not seeing the long-fabled Internet-connected toasters yet (at least not in my neighborhood), but more and more IP devices are hitting the market.
