[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.