Well, it’s now official. The Internet Media Device Alliance (IMDA) just announced its plans to hold their first General Assembly meeting at CES on Jan. 9 at the MGM. According to the website’s mission statement at www.IMDAlliance.org, “The IMDA has been formed with the aim of developing and promoting a set of open, interoperable standards and device profiles in order to maximize the growth of a global consumer market in Internet-connected media devices”. This can only be a good thing as the internet media and device market has been growing in many directions with no clear path or consensus. I'm overly optimistic that enough of the right people and companies will sign up so that it will be a successful venture, as 'Internet Radio' itself as a category seems to be gaining incredible momentum with consumers and will grow faster with some collective guidance.
DISCLAIMER: I’m honored to have been a member of the original Steering Committee and look forward to much progress with respect to interoperability and infinite choice for content. (It’s also worth mentioning that I’m on the Product Development team for the RCA and Acoustic Research Infinite Radios.)
