Technological Convergence
Technological Convergence
Jennifer A. Spry
INF 103
Nelson Stewart
December 2, 2012
Technological Convergence Technological convergence is when technologies currently in use are combined or improved to form newer technologies. The internet is one example of technological convergence. It has brought together the radio, games, books, television and much more. In the past, each entertainment medium had to be played on a specific device. Video displayed on a television through some type of video player, music came through a tape deck or Compact Disc (CD) player, and video games were played through a console of some sort. Technological convergence has resulted in devices that not only interact with the media they are primarily designed to handle, but also with a number of other formats. Digitalization and convergence allows people to do these entertainment activities from the palm of their hand via a Smartphone, iPad, iTouch, or eReader, and schools such as Stanford, MIT, Harvard and Abilene Christian University have started projects that provide students with equipment to access the college databases anywhere within campus grounds. The convergence of technology has the potential to simplify life’s activities, but caution must be used because making things in life to easy could produce catastrophe. The animated movie WALL-E, produced by Pixar, depicts what could happen if convergence goes too far. These advancements have touched almost every aspect of modern living. Along with the positive effects of convergence come social implications, as well as, improvements to education and the medical field. There are many people who have been credited with the invention and improvements of the radio. However, Lee De Forest’s work resulted in amplitude-modulated (AM) radio. (about.com, n.d.). Because the radio is a combination of the telegraph and the telephone, convergence, although not yet discovered or named, was present and effected the invention of the radio.
Jennifer A. Spry
INF 103
Nelson Stewart
December 2, 2012
Technological Convergence Technological convergence is when technologies currently in use are combined or improved to form newer technologies. The internet is one example of technological convergence. It has brought together the radio, games, books, television and much more. In the past, each entertainment medium had to be played on a specific device. Video displayed on a television through some type of video player, music came through a tape deck or Compact Disc (CD) player, and video games were played through a console of some sort. Technological convergence has resulted in devices that not only interact with the media they are primarily designed to handle, but also with a number of other formats. Digitalization and convergence allows people to do these entertainment activities from the palm of their hand via a Smartphone, iPad, iTouch, or eReader, and schools such as Stanford, MIT, Harvard and Abilene Christian University have started projects that provide students with equipment to access the college databases anywhere within campus grounds. The convergence of technology has the potential to simplify life’s activities, but caution must be used because making things in life to easy could produce catastrophe. The animated movie WALL-E, produced by Pixar, depicts what could happen if convergence goes too far. These advancements have touched almost every aspect of modern living. Along with the positive effects of convergence come social implications, as well as, improvements to education and the medical field. There are many people who have been credited with the invention and improvements of the radio. However, Lee De Forest’s work resulted in amplitude-modulated (AM) radio. (about.com, n.d.). Because the radio is a combination of the telegraph and the telephone, convergence, although not yet discovered or named, was present and effected the invention of the radio.
References: About.com. (n.d.). Invention of the Radio. Retrieved from http://inventors.about.com/od/rstartinventions/a/radio.htm Cybercollege.com. (2012). The Social Impact of Television. Retrieved from http://www.cybercollege.com/frtv/frtv030.htm Dartmouth.edu. (n.d.). Convergence Technology: Empowering Us or Controlling Us?. Retrieved from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writ8/index.php/perspectives/convergence-technology Didyouknow.org. (n.d.). The History of Radio. Retrieved from http://didyouknow.org/history/radiohistory/ National Crime Prevention Association. (n.d.). Cyberbullying. Retrieved from http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying Television Curated Facts. (n.d.). Jessica Fields. Retrieved from http://www.citelighter.com/technology/technology/knowledgecards/television Time.com. (n.d.). A History of Video Game Consoles. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,3183,2029221,00.htm Wisegeek.com. (n.d.). What is Technological Convergence?. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-convergence.htm