I’d kinda forgotten about it until someone mentioned open WiFi, and this seems like a use case tailor made for it. If not already, it looks like a near certainty to me.

I also think it is inevitable.

But remember, too: Whispernet.

Available as a one-time extra-cost feature on the first Kindle back in '07, Whispernet provided a bit of slow Internet access over cellular networks -- without additional payments or contracts or computers.

And really, Whispernet was great in that role.

But the world of data is shaped a lot differently these days. Data is a lot more-available and much less-expensive than it was back then, ~18 years ago -- and codecs have improved by leaps-and-bounds in terms of data efficiency.

Radios are also less expensive and more-capable compared to what they were in '07.

This will be sold as a feature: "Now with Amazon Whispernet, your new Amazon Fire TV will let you stream as much ad-supported TV as you want! For free! No home Internet connection or bulky antenna required! Say no to monthly bills and wanky-janky setups, and say yes to Amazon Fire TV!"

The future will be advertising. (Always has been, but always will be, too.)