ReferencePicture Gadget (2007): Samsung-Q1-ultra-mobile-pc-3 Availabe at www.gadget-blog.co.uk (Accessed October 2009)
Friday 30 October 2009
Technological convergence and Mediamorphosis
One of the ways of thinking about the changes in media today is by thinking of convergence and technological convergence seems to be the most popular of them all (others includes; Professional, Cultural and Institutional).
New media technologies are able to provide the user with various features in a smaller amount space. Iphones for example can download files from the Internet, take very clear pictures, record videos, play music/ videos and connect to other gadgets via Bluetooth. It’s amazing what one can do with just one device.
It has become very uncomfortable now to carry around a stereo (no matter how small it might be) to listen to the news or the weekly top ten songs, while at the same time tucking a newspaper under your arm while on your way to the cyber cafe. Preferably just buy a mobile phone that is digitally and media compliant to perform all those news media functions. Roger Fidler, an ex-journalist and newspaper designer who has become an authority on online and digital publishing development described that kind of technological convergence as mediamorphosis.
Since the early 1990s, communication sages have been
predicting that in the next decade so-called information
super-highway networks will routinely bring an ever
expanding universe of interactive information, entertainment,
shopping and personal services to nearly everyone through
some form of what futurist George Gilder has called a
teleputer- a new device that would blend attributes of
television and telephony with a personal computer
(Fidler, 1997, p.6).
However, there is a lot of work that needs to be done on these new media technologies. For one, the almighty Iphone has major pitfalls of its own that disrupts easy communication. One of the most recent complains are poor signals (a major requirement for the phone) and the screen’s insensitivity to touch after a period of time.
References:
*Fiddler, R. (1997) Mediamorphosis: Understanding New Media. Pine Forge Press
*Truman Lewis (2008): Signal Problems Plague iPhone 3G . Available at http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/08/iphone_chipset.html (Accessed on October 2009)
*CBS (2007): A Closer Look At The iPhone Available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk (Accessed October 2009)
New media technologies are able to provide the user with various features in a smaller amount space. Iphones for example can download files from the Internet, take very clear pictures, record videos, play music/ videos and connect to other gadgets via Bluetooth. It’s amazing what one can do with just one device.
It has become very uncomfortable now to carry around a stereo (no matter how small it might be) to listen to the news or the weekly top ten songs, while at the same time tucking a newspaper under your arm while on your way to the cyber cafe. Preferably just buy a mobile phone that is digitally and media compliant to perform all those news media functions. Roger Fidler, an ex-journalist and newspaper designer who has become an authority on online and digital publishing development described that kind of technological convergence as mediamorphosis.
Since the early 1990s, communication sages have been
predicting that in the next decade so-called information
super-highway networks will routinely bring an ever
expanding universe of interactive information, entertainment,
shopping and personal services to nearly everyone through
some form of what futurist George Gilder has called a
teleputer- a new device that would blend attributes of
television and telephony with a personal computer
(Fidler, 1997, p.6).
However, there is a lot of work that needs to be done on these new media technologies. For one, the almighty Iphone has major pitfalls of its own that disrupts easy communication. One of the most recent complains are poor signals (a major requirement for the phone) and the screen’s insensitivity to touch after a period of time.
References:
*Fiddler, R. (1997) Mediamorphosis: Understanding New Media. Pine Forge Press
*Truman Lewis (2008): Signal Problems Plague iPhone 3G . Available at http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/08/iphone_chipset.html (Accessed on October 2009)
*CBS (2007): A Closer Look At The iPhone Available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk (Accessed October 2009)
Saturday 24 October 2009
NEW MEDIA- HERE TO STAY??
"New Media" a simple yet tricky term got me mulling over it all through Friday evening. I mean, I’m studying New Media and Internet Technologies so one would expect that I should know much about the subject but when Mr Conway asked the question: “…what happens to new media when it becomes old?”
Hmmn, honestly, never really gave that a thought. What happens to me when what I’ve studied goes extinct? After deliberating the issue with my sister, she said after a short pause, that New Media would always be New Media.
That made a lot of sense because New Media is not just the IPhone or the Internet and when those evolve into something more high tech, it would still be New Media and the IPhone would just be old like the Newspapers and soon the televisions. According to Gavin (Lecture MED 506-6. 23 October 2009), it’s the form the content takes that actually makes it New Media- “the hard drive of the technology”. As long as "communication is mediated through a computer" (Lister et al 2003), there would always be New Media.
Televisions for example are neither old nor new media because there are still analogue TVs in use around the world. However, I believe it’s in transition and has been for decades. TV would probably change further to become entirely digital and even more sophisticated (become more interactive). There will probably be better consumer choice even possibly deciding whether or not to allow interruption by advertising.
There would always be New Media because of the insatiable hunger for better, faster and easier means of communication and they would have evolved from what we have now.
References:
Picture Source: ammaro.com
MartÃn Lister et al (2003): New media a critical introduction . Available at http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UkqomXHmoAEC&lpg=PP1&ots=_j-1ARNb45&dq=new%20media%20a%20critical%20introduction&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=&f=false. (Accessed October 2009)
Sunday 18 October 2009
"a new political era of computer-mediated democracy"
Like never before, people around the world have now found ways to systematically use the Internet to gain freedom of speech. Through reports, blogs, online communities, online movements etc, dissatisfied citizens who cannot exercise their right to speak because of government sanctions on the print or broadcast media have used the cyberspace to make their government sit up and the international community pay attention till there's a positive change.
The following links help to show example of computer-mediated democracy
For one, next time the Iranian government prepare for elections they would be more careful knowing the world would definitely be watching this time around. The people, through cyberspace and the Internet have made the government sit up. If you watch the grusome death of Neda captured on video during a protest rally on youtube.
Young Nigerians around the world are joining a cause hoping somehow their united voice can finally make the government provide citizens with constant electricity supply. Already this group has more than 22, 000 members on facebook alone- they're also on twitter. This would never have been actualised outside cyberspace in such a short time. Also young people who naturally would have suffered in silence for fear of getting jailed are now lending their voice and uploading pictures- speaking up against the government (some anonymously) and making authority get uncomfortable.
References
Alejandro (2009): Iran, Internet and Democracy. Available at http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/aribo/2009/06/17/iran-internet-and-democracy/ (Accessed October, 2009)
RIP NEDA- graphic story! Iran protest! girl shot by militia. Available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVR2rLLqYJw (Accessed October, 2009)
The Light Up Nigeria Movement (2009): Available at http://www.lightupnigeria.org/ (Accessed October 2009)
Andy McSmith (2007):The Big Question: Does the Internet liberate or undermine democracy?Available at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-big-question-does-the-internet-liberate-or-undermine-democracy-437477.html (Accessed October 2009)
The following links help to show example of computer-mediated democracy
For one, next time the Iranian government prepare for elections they would be more careful knowing the world would definitely be watching this time around. The people, through cyberspace and the Internet have made the government sit up. If you watch the grusome death of Neda captured on video during a protest rally on youtube.
Young Nigerians around the world are joining a cause hoping somehow their united voice can finally make the government provide citizens with constant electricity supply. Already this group has more than 22, 000 members on facebook alone- they're also on twitter. This would never have been actualised outside cyberspace in such a short time. Also young people who naturally would have suffered in silence for fear of getting jailed are now lending their voice and uploading pictures- speaking up against the government (some anonymously) and making authority get uncomfortable.
References
Alejandro (2009): Iran, Internet and Democracy. Available at http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/aribo/2009/06/17/iran-internet-and-democracy/ (Accessed October, 2009)
RIP NEDA- graphic story! Iran protest! girl shot by militia. Available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVR2rLLqYJw (Accessed October, 2009)
The Light Up Nigeria Movement (2009): Available at http://www.lightupnigeria.org/ (Accessed October 2009)
Andy McSmith (2007):The Big Question: Does the Internet liberate or undermine democracy?Available at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-big-question-does-the-internet-liberate-or-undermine-democracy-437477.html (Accessed October 2009)
MYTH (OR FACT) OF CYBERSPACE
One of the myths of cyberspace talks about how the "technology of the Internet is bringing about prosperity and well-being based solely on a weightless, 'knowledge-based' economy."
Although, I respect the opinion that there is little or no reality in this statement because of the large number of under privileged people scattered across the world who cannot afford Internet services (especially when feeding and living is hard to afford) which to this extent, the weightless, 'knowledge-based' economy" on the Internet cannot directly an effect on their well-being.
However,indirectly over the years, through the 'knowledge-based' economy, people who have access have been enlightened about the plight of these under-privileged people. Through uploaded web photos or videos probably by tourists or missionaries, people have been moved to take action and improve the lives of these people by donating money or sending relief teams to improve health and general well being of millions around the world- some of whom have never even heard of the Internet before.
According to BBC (2003), Kofi Annan the former United Nations chief, supported the fact that "technology was able to improve the lives of millions of the Earth's poorest people." He believed the Internet could “help poor nations leapfrog into the future if they can get assistance to harness the new technology.” Already in Nigeria, moves have been made to get all villages wireless Internet connection.
BBC (2003):How has information technology changed your life? Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/3257256.stm (Accessed: 16 October 2009)
Although, I respect the opinion that there is little or no reality in this statement because of the large number of under privileged people scattered across the world who cannot afford Internet services (especially when feeding and living is hard to afford) which to this extent, the weightless, 'knowledge-based' economy" on the Internet cannot directly an effect on their well-being.
However,indirectly over the years, through the 'knowledge-based' economy, people who have access have been enlightened about the plight of these under-privileged people. Through uploaded web photos or videos probably by tourists or missionaries, people have been moved to take action and improve the lives of these people by donating money or sending relief teams to improve health and general well being of millions around the world- some of whom have never even heard of the Internet before.
According to BBC (2003), Kofi Annan the former United Nations chief, supported the fact that "technology was able to improve the lives of millions of the Earth's poorest people." He believed the Internet could “help poor nations leapfrog into the future if they can get assistance to harness the new technology.” Already in Nigeria, moves have been made to get all villages wireless Internet connection.
BBC (2003):How has information technology changed your life? Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/3257256.stm (Accessed: 16 October 2009)
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