Convergent Technologies - Basic 221s1i

Convergent Technologies APIT 268 – Web and Media Technologies Fall 2008

Preparatory Set for in-class session: Objective 1

Narration by: BNapoli

What is convergent technologies?

What technologies enable convergence? Internet

Example: iPod (hardware) iTunes (music) …has the whole distribution channel: e-commerce, sell, share ….

Satellite

Example: GPS … satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit …

Wireless

Example: in-home …purely wireless, information and data is pushed around via a router…

Combined technologies that enable convergence?

Cell phone with GPS

Google Earth

What is driving convergent technologies?

First and foremost The proliferation of digital data This provides a common base for handling diverse types of information – numbers, words, pictures, video, etc. using similar devices, processing techniques and media.

What is driving convergent technologies? Second… Widespread connectivity Widespread connectivity helps to bring diverse information together. It extends the value and capabilities of a device beyond its out-of-the-box functionality.

What is driving convergent technologies? Last but not least… Continuous advances in technology

From battery life…

…to processor speed

…started with business-side convergent technology need • Originally, this drove convergent technologies  Remote diagnostics  medical data gathering from remote clinics and clients  Sales force automation  Inventory, GPS, wireless, route information

..medical remote monitoring

…on call sales systems

…growing stronger with consumer convergent technology

What are some examples of consumer convergent technologies? Mobile messengers

Internet services delivered to TV sets Motor vehicle ‘On Star’

Cell phone with Internet

Web casting of radio and TV programming on the Internet

…now business is following the consumer convergent technology trends Examples:  businesses are starting to think that they should have forums for their customers  professionals are participating in online forums for “social networking” and (www.linkedin.com)

How has the consumer been empowered to lead the industry? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Availability of affordable computers and peripherals Low-cost connectivity LAN technology Mass-market server software Digital media creation tools

Individually each of these mediums are significant. Each is a force driving the future growth and development of the desktop pc and computer technology. Together, with Internet capabilities, these mediums help to create a growth dynamic with incredible power and global-reaching capability.

…what to look for in emerging convergent technology RFID Radio Frequency Identification RFID is an automatic identification method, reliant on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders amplifies or transmits a signal An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radiowaves. Its initial enterprise seems to be focused on supply chain management (like inventory tracking).

In closing 

In this presentation, we have reviewed: • • • •

Technologies that enable convergence What is driving convergent technology’s growth How convergent technology came to be What is it that’s making convergent technology’s growth so strong currently • Current trends • How the consumer has become empowered • Future implications for converged technologies such as RFID