[mook]

While true, it's really hard to shop for devices that have access to WiFi without internet. It's too easy for the manufacturer to slip in the internet requirement and not put it on the box. Using other protocols makes the expectation disappear.

[hardwaresofton]

This is a good point I haven't considered until now. Inability for the ad-supported model to ever sneak in.

Now I'm really wondering why over wifi didn't take off.