Technological Convergence

By Elizabeth Hyer

According to Wikipedia Technological Convergence is the modern presence of a vast array of different types of technology to perform very similar task. A few examples of technology Convergence is PlayStation 2 and 3. The PlayStation 2 and 3 have different components for instance PS3 has a view photos options that you cannot do on the PS2 system. The PS3 system also has a software update like what you find on your computer. Basically the two systems have internet capability, view DVDs, and play music CDs. Another function that PS3 has is that you can connect with friends to play. What I found interesting is that PlayStation 3 can view photos. I have not heard of a play console that could do this.

Another example is Portable SanDisk Player with PC-TV called Sansa Take TV. Portable SanDisk Player downloaded video files from the internet and watches them on the television instead of the pc screen. One it is bigger and easier to see and you can relax better for a movie. I tried watching a DVD on my laptop and I could not get comfortable watching it on the laptop. I tried the laptop on the bed and it was easier, but still could not get comfortable watching it on the laptop. According to SanDisk the player display is a simple on-screen guide that allows the user to use an onscreen menu to download the video to watch. This devise also comes with a remote control. SanDisk also said that it is the most easy-to-use and straightforward solution for watching downloaded videos of family and friend and shows and watch them on the television. This can be done using a remote control that comes with the package. The SanDisk works with TV systems that have standard AV composite inputs or S-Video, also supports DivX, Xvid and Mpeg-43. The player is a DivX certified for home theater and works with windows Vista, XP, and the latest versions of Mac OSX and Linux. There are two versions the 4GB that holds 5 hours of video and 8GB that can hold up to 10 hours cost of these items is about $100. This feature one of the most popular for people who have large collections of digital video. SanDisk says most people prefer using their TV's to watch videos. PC has become the foremost vehicle for searching and downloading digital content. To me one down fall is ad-supported and free while some is fee-based, according to SanDisk.

WiMax according to Intel, the WiMax will change people experience in communications, new freedom in mobile information, interactions, user generated content. It is an Intel chip that enables new freedom in mobile information, interaction, user-generated content, and social networking. According to Intel it is all supposed to be delivered on-the-go. WiMax supposed to be the first technology that is to be added to the International Mobile Telecommunications 2000. Have possibilities of Internet, email, online multimedia, live video conferencing, mobile TV. Music downloads-practically any data-intensive application-delivered "on the go" WiMax is an open, worldwide standard that covers both fixed and mobile deployments. Only broadband wireless standard built specifically to deliver data. Also enables development in developed and emerging countries. A feature of the chip is a standard broadband wireless that is built to deliver data. The mobile WiMax can carry more data than the current system.

What caught my attention with IPhone was widgets and YouTube. We all know that Iphone has internet capabilities, but I was unaware of the widget features. These contain weather at home and around the world. The other feature I was unaware of is that YouTube has its own slot on the phone. Also, I found out is that you can email the video to friends and family.

One of the opposing factors that I came up with is how we have one device for several functions. When one of those functions does not work you have to take in the whole machine and not just that one part. One of the questions that I asked the class would you want this technological device when you have one function not working and the whole system has to be taken into the repair shop or would it be easier to have several different devices. This may not work for cell phones, but what about the printer/scanner/picture features/fax machine. When I ask this question I was wondering if anyone had difficulty with a piece of technology that would better off as individual pieces then as one. Sometimes I prefer separate pieces instead of one.

In doing the research I felt that one of the benefits was less equipment to understand, use, and plug in. I like the option of one piece of equipment especially phone like the Iphone. Can you think of reasons why or why not we should use items with multiple features?