Free Wi Fi with some level of sponsorship is the future. I think I’ve mentioned it on this blog many times. Newspapers MUST get into this act. Imagine a free Wi Fi service on a commuter train with an ad strip (as mentioned for the Sunnyvale deal) or even a branded strip (ala Film Loop) that runs across the bottom of the screen that has the latest news headlines from the "paper." Information providers better move fast because there is going to be only so much real estate available on the screen of free Wi Fi users.

Maybe I am prejudiced as a former newspaper reporter, columnist and digital media exec, but I say you can never count the print guys out. Yeah, yeah.. I know I am cheerleading, but take a look at the new TV-video effort from The Virginian-Pilot (a Landmark Communications company). It’s cool and light years ahead of others in their sector. Keep in mind, though, Landmark was way ahead of the pack back in the early ‘90s in the world of newspaper voice and then Internet services. From an innovation standpoint, this effort then is no big surprise.