Article Review #3

Article Title

"Use of Homeless as Internet Hot Spots Backfires on Marketer"

Article Author

Jenna Wortham

Article Publication Date

March 12th, 2012

URL of Original Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/technology/homeless-as-wi-fi-transmitters-creates-a-stir-in-austin.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Article Summary

Homeless people are given an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the everyday user seeking Wi-Fi via means of a BBH experiment which enables volunteers to become a moving hot spot when rigged to a device. (217cc)

Relevance to the Class 

This new technology/idea is reopening the option of users being able to have the internet more accessible to them via the use of a laptop, thus reversing the new age use of mobile devices/networks for internet access. (217cc)

Key Quote

"The smartphone-toting, social-networking crowds often overwhelm cellular networks in the area, creating a market that the BBH Labs hoped to serve with the "Homeless Hotspot" project, which it called a "charitable experiment"." (227cc)