[14] NMT - Playstation 3

A newly realised piece of media technology is the awaited playstation 3. It was invented to be an updated version and to replace the playstation 2. its purpose as a games console but has now developed into television, computer and HD technology.

The PS3 is the third in the range produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and released in Europe on March 23rd. The hype around this piece of equipment was huge as the memory had increased, two forms could be bought – 20GB and 60GB. The advanced new games would be saved onto memory that now is not visible, making the 60GB more popular. The attractive feature of the PS3 is that all PS1 and PS2 games will work on it, this is a feature that will remain very desirable for all consumers as all previously owned games know will continue to be of use.
The features that know differ from a PS2 or older console are:

· Next Generation Cell Processor
· HDMI output
· Includes: Memory Stick/SD/Compact Flash Slots
· Wireless
· Ethernet Connection
· Wireless Bluetooth Controller
· Blu-ray drive
· USB keyboards and mice
· Stream audio and video
· 4 USB 2.0 ports
· Compatibility PS1 and PS2 games
· Virtual Memory card

The dimensions are 325mm x 98mm x 274mm. Weight is 5kg.

The huge amount of data storage offered by Blu-ray makes it ideal for High Definition. The ability to access more data shows the development in technology. PS3 can now store music, pictures, videos and other data files. The ability to connect to the net means that you can play against other players online. High processing power means that the quality overall is better. Convergence of HD, Computer storage and internet shows that the console can now cater to many needs eliminating the need for other technologies.

[12] Converged, Portable Technology - W810i

An example of a converged portable piece of technology is a mobile phone. This displays the features of convergence (bringing together lots of media technology) and is lightweight and miniature for everyday use.

The phone I have chosen to discuss is a Sony Ericsson W810i which incorporates a camera, mp3 player, video recorder, voice recorder, an internet surfer, a games console (to an extent) all alongside its sole purpose of communication. As mobile phones develop, the technology develops alongside and quality of technology is improving massively.

The W810i is advertised as a walkman phone, so its converging the features of an mp3 player and a mobile phone in a stylish handset. There is the obvious use of texting and calling, but over the years a camera has become a standard function of a mobile phone. The W810i has a 2 mega pixel digital camera, the ability to zoom and change to night-vision, a flash and effects, also used to take videos. It includes a web browser which gives internet access and Bluetooth and infrared connectivity to transfer from phone to phone. A USB cable is also included so that the phone can communicate with the computer. It has been described as a ‘multitalented success’.
There is a slot for expandable memory of up to 2GB alongside the built in phone memory overall giving a standard mobile phone lots of media uses.

The converged Media is therefore:

· a digital camera

· video camera

· internet

· radio

· mp3

There is further use, as the mobile phone can connect to other technology and be used as a remote control.

For the consumer, there is a small portable piece of technology that is convenient and is able to multi-task. For the producer, there is fierce competition and in order to compete they must produce something different and something more than just a mobile phone.

If the producer carries on cramming in lots of media then the quality will being to reduce as they are not as reliable or as good a quality as a single component. For example, the camera on the phone will not be as good as a single piece of technology whose function is solely to take photographs. This will later be more likely to break down and have a shorter shelf life. The newer technologies that are trying to be incorporated are 3G phones and video calling, alongside watching television on your phone. Both of which cannot compete with the experience of watching the television or seeing someone face to face.

[10] Podcast

A podcast is an audio method of hearing or finding out about something. A series of episodes have been created in which people discuss or provide entertainment. Popular podcasts are those of LOST, Ricky Gervais, Television in General and following on from before, radio stations take advantage of podcasting as well. A podcast replaces all audio technology to an extent, including radio, cassettes, CD’s and is constantly adapting. It can also be used as catch up on news and weather updates which are increasingly becoming more popular. Podcasts are available in the form of downloading which means that an mp3 player would be used most commonly to listen to the podcast.

As podcasts are very particular in what they talk about, they tend to be very narrow-casted and concentrate on a particular topic which is aimed at a particular niche. They are found and imed at those with similar interests and therefore offer a personal experience as they are relating to what they are hearing. A range of media can be consumed through podcasting including books, films, reviews, clips, sounds, and radio intereviews and programmes, being an alternative from buying the media and having to read or get unnecessary information.

Broadcasters are involved as they are using the internet to promote and distribute their programmes in the form of podcasts which are easily accessible. The podcasting technology has enabled convenience and reinvented the ideology of radio shows being entertainment. This is also just a marketing technique, letting people know about the new shows or up-coming movies creating a fan base before its even started. To concentrate on the podcast effect, I have chosen to discuss Ricky Gervais. He has created a successful show with humour and comedy including interactivity and feedback from listeners. Once free from the BBC, it made a series which has become increasingly popular and almost like a television series which now they are asking a fee for. The initial intention was to just provide free entertainment, but globally this has become a phenomenon which has been distributed across the internet.

To concentrate on the podcast effect, I have chosen to discuss Ricky Gervais. He has created a successful show with humour and comedy including interactivity and feedback from listeners. Once free from the Guardian Unlimited, it made a series which has become increasingly popular and almost like a television series which now they are asking a fee for. The initial intention was to just provide free entertainment, but globally this has become a phenomenon which has been distributed across the internet.

[8] Blogging - Facebook, Myspace

Blogs are public diaries. They are made up of short and frequent posts, written my normal ordinary people which can be accessed by all those on the internet. They allow and expression of opinion without any sort of limitations. This replaces the idea of keeping a diary to an extent but with bearing in mind that everyone can read all that you right, it may be difficult to be totally honest. it also replaces to an extent, phone calling, texting, emailing and msn...as it becomes a new form of communication!

There are many popular blogging sites, although most sites have some sort of blogging section. The most popular are myspace.com, blogger.com and recently facebook.com. These are all social networking hosts which ‘brings people together’ using the internet. Theses social sites allow you to express yourself in how you want to be portrayed. Myspace allows you to change the background and play music when people visit your profile. People can comment on your page and have conversations. It relates to many different audiences – specifically teenagers to young adults (13-23) as it’s a way of communication. It allows people to keep in touch, reunite, meet new people, share your interests, post links, and express views.

Blogging and social networking therefore are complimentary for each other as sites like myspace and facebook replace msn in some form – but in a more public matter as what you say is available for everyone to read. It allows expression of thought and sharing photographs – all of which teenagers do but now at more convenience, and are able to comment on them, which essentially is what the younger generation are interested in.

Blogging combines many different forms of media. Videos, Sounds, Music and pictures can all be uploaded to share with others. Blogging concentrates mainly on personalisation and globalisation, as it allows you to be you and others all over the world to learn about you. Furthermore, these sites are controlled to a certain extent, to whom can visit your profile, making it slightly safer than it being totally available for everyone to see. The levels of interaction are endless – as you can keep uploading and linking to present yourself and keep communicating.

[4] Radio Station

Capital fm, 95.8 is one of the most popular stations playing round the clock. The website contains station updates, music, presenter profiles, local rolling news and sport updates, entertainment and games. The website gives a further insight into the studio and the music that is provided by the radio station, and doesn’t specifically replace anything. The technologies involve webcam, podcasts, online radio, and internet.

There is a lot of interaction through the site, especially into the studio itself. There is an opportunity to watch the presenters in the studio by webcam and hear it on the radio. The interactivity that the station has is that the audience participates 24 hours a day by call, text, email and the various competitions and games throughout. The audience range is large as it attracts members of all ages and genders and is a family show which keeps the station so popular. The music is generally up-to date, but classics are played at various stages depending on the radio show and presenter. The bulk of the music is chart music and can be found on the play list on the website, this is more aimed at the younger teenage generation.

The website is FULL of links, to news, to listen to the radio, to take part in competitions, to weather updates, to podcasts of spectacular moments in the show, or a daily ‘funny’ like ‘welshy calling..’ which is available for download every day.

The phone number and text number is very clearly positioned, encouraging people to take part with the show. There is also a chance to be interactive by joining the VIP club by signing up online. This allows you to access behind the scenes, reap the rewards, get to know everything first and it’s totally free in the form of an email to you inbox every month. The next most obvious is ‘listen now’ converging the radio technology online. Overall, this means that the station can be listened to with out a radio or without even being in London.

There is also a search option which helps the listener get straight to what they are looking for with convenience and ease making it more personal as they are finding surfing incredibly easy.

[2] Channel 4 News

By clicking on the News section on the homepage browser, you are directed to the Channel 4 News Page. It replaces the newspapers and the television show as it provides the same information but with more ease.

The top story is centralised on the page and has a bigger picture than anything else on the page. This is then followed by 3 other news stories, with pictures and simple descriptions. For all of these stories, there is a chance to ‘watch the report’, in which a video screen appears and you see the reporter, making it a interactive event as the audience is choosing what they want to watch and when. This makes the experience of watching the news personal and non-linear. At the top of the page, there is a banner with rolling news, for convenience for the audience to instantly see the current news. If the mouse is then moved on top of the banner, the news pauses and gives the audience a chance to click on the headline and further read into the story.

On the left hand side of the page, the news is categorised into UK, World, Society, Politics, Business and Money, Arts and Entertainment, Sport, Science and Technology and Weather. Under the ‘top stories’ we are able to see the top stories in each of these categories, some of which are links to videos. This allows the audience to easily concentrate on the areas in which they are interested in. There is a regional page for weather in the form of a map. It allows you to check the weather for your area and across the world.

The right hand side of the page shows a section ‘from the editor’ displaying the videos, blogs, and interactive features. Channel 4 also gives the opportunity for viewers to catch up with the last seven days news, in case you have ‘missed the show’.

A News podcast from channel 4 radio is available allowing audiences to listen rather than watch or read the news, at there own convenience and timing, rather than having to wait for the news show.

In the ‘comment’ section, there is a chance to get to know the presenters, reporters and correspondents giving the audience the chance to read biographies and comment on their individual blogs. There are ‘newsroom blogs’ in which you can read up about the behind the scenes. There is also a forum in which viewers can share opinions on stories. This gives the viewers a more personal insight and be more interactive in the way the news is discussed and who by.

You can also subscribe to the channel 4 website and get the news emailed to you on a daily basis.