Media Concepts in Modern World - Assignment Example

 Media Concepts in Modern World Section 1 Digitization According to Kelion (2012), a research that was carried out by Informa showed that, there were 82 million TVs that are connected in homes across the globe by the close of 2011. Its forecasts show that, this number will have increased to 892 million by 2016. Samsung as well as other vendors have tried installing applications on televisions in previous years. However, smart TVs’ future was displayed in this year’s Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas. For several years, a bigger portion of the technology industry has put efforts on visualization of the computer being a digital hub in homes. Home owners copied photos from digital cameras, downloaded movies and music using their personal computers, and then transferred them to compatible devices. Today, the development of cloud services along with high internet speeds gives televisions to assume the personal computer’s place. Users are presented with numerous apps enabling them to play games, access social networks, track exercise routines and operate educational software. But, manufacturers of smart TVs are aware that, people need a sit-back instead of a lean-forward experience always. Google takes a second breakthrough in offering its services of smart TV, as Panasonic and Samsung continue advancing their individual system software. At the electronics show, Vizio and LG displayed their new sets with built-in Android-based search software. Sony has installed the device in two gadgets including Blu-ray player and a set-top box. Lenovo, Sharp, Haier, Hisense and Toshiba were also among those introducing their smart TV models during the show in Las Vegas (Kelion 2012). Convergence DBCDE (2010) maintains that, convergence implies coming together. When it comes to communications technology, the main communication platforms such as telecommunications, online and broadcasting are uniting in order for their once distinct functions can now overlap. For instance, video content that previously was only available on TV can now be viewed on the internet. An individual is now able to watch an identical TV program on laptop, TV set or mobile device. Nevertheless, the fundamental networks that broadcast such a program is totally different like cable network, broad spectrum or the internet. The key factors that have driven convergence are digital economy’s growth, rapid advancements of network technologies, devices and speed of internet connection. Some of the impacts of convergence on Australians has been a decline in time spent watching TV, increased mobility and increased online participation. The expansion in the range of platforms and devices through which customers may communicate and participate in media has transformed income structures for conventional media firms, and led to creation of changed and new business models. The maturity of Internet-connected HDTVs was marked in 2011. Though the Ethernet TV cable will not fully substitute cable TV, several additional video services and apps can now be used with the TV. This is different from 2010’s connected TV components which usually amounted to YouTube and Netflix. At the present, TVs come with numerous general services for video-streaming like Hulu Plus, YouTube and Netflix, a few rental services for video-on-demand like Vudu and CinemaNow, and a Rhapsody and Pandora Internet radio. The five popular Smart TV convergence platforms include; LG Smart TV, Samsung Apps, Viera Connect from Panasonic, Internet Video from Sony Bravia and Vizio internet applications (Miller 2011). Remediation Remediation has some relations to the DADA movement. It involves the use of borrowed designs from previous inventions, to convey a different message or meaning rather than what is implied in the original design. A good example of remediation is designer Colbert’s Urinal Dress of the 21st century, which is adapted from DADA artwork of 1917 by Duchamp. Duchamp’s artwork was a sign of resistance to First World War. On the other hand, Colbert’s Urinal dress is an expression of niche fashion, which retails at a very high price (Beale 2011). Remediation is a significant media concept which may be used to remind people of significant historical events like world war, struggle for independence and slavery. It can also be used to develop historical works of art and hence, prevent them from being extinct. On the contrary, the use of remediation may bring about confusion especially on old generations due to imitation of past art works that have totally different meanings. Moreover, it can be viewed as a lack of originality and ideas in the designing of art works since a good designer should be in a position to maintain originality to avoid monotony. Section 2 Digitization The article, ‘How 2001: A space Odyssey Predicted the Future,’ talks about digitization in the media world. A new operation was launched by NASA on 5 August, 2011, where the Juno study was to make a tour to Jupiter. Juno is expected to arrive at Jupiter, the largest planet of the solar system at mid-2016, from where it will begin analyzing the planet. Juno is a scientific phenomenon. The idea of digitization comes in where the sensors of Juno will enable scientists to analyze the gravitational field of Jupiter which is considered to be so powerful that any object that got into its atmosphere in the past four billion years during its formation is still ensnared there. The detectors of Juno will also examine the planet for water signs, so as to evaluate the possibility of life existence (Kubrick 2001). Kubrick visited Jupiter before Juno, in his space epic; he took filmgoers to Jupiter on a divine sleigh ride. Kubrick’s film predicted Juno’s trip, as well as foresaw digital inventions such as iPad and other technological developments in 1968. The film highlights several digital technologies. To start with, in the clip, astronauts are using tablet computing gadgets to communicate with people on earth when they are in space. Other digital technologies described in the movie include flat-screens, voice-controlled computers, game-playing computers, video teleconference and in-flight entertainment. In other words, a bigger percentage if not all of the predicted digital technologies in the 2001 film has turned out to be real (Kubrick 2001). Media diversity At the present, different types of media are being used by users of different ages and professions for different purposes. Social media has become dominant in the media world with the development of a range of social networking services and sites. IBM provides a glossary of social media terms that are aimed at familiarizing people with crucial Web 2.0 vocabulary that all skilled users of social media should know. One of these terms is Baidu Space which refers to a social network owned by Baidu search engine, and allows its users to develop personalized homepages such as photo albums and blogs. Additionally, Flickr is a famous photo sharing site. Another terminology is profile, which refers to a person’s identifying details requested when a person creates an account in a social networking service (IBM 2012). Different terminologies and services are used and provided by different media, which shows how diverse the media is. Drawing from Apps (2011), anti-government activists in Egypt and Tunisia used Facebook, Twitter and other tecnhiques to carry out rings on censorship and plan demostrations, which overthrew presidents Hosni Mubarak and Zine. Those events acted as an alert call to the administrations of both countries. By enabling millions of people to organize political action speedily and habitually without conventional control, the current technology is a challenge to conventional political power compositions. With this kind of influence, it is advisable for governments to give priority to adopting socil media in order to be able to manage the infleunce in today’s ever chnaging world. Diversity of devices According to ABC (2012), ABC offers different applications through a wide range of devices that are able to load fast and give a better experience as compared a typical mobile site, with video and audio content. The first application is Radio App which is used with Android phones and iPhones to easily access over 19 radio broadcasts through the phone. In addition, iPad applications include ABC iview, which allows the user to watch full-length drama, news, comedy, kids’ programs, documentary, as well as exceptional programs that are on demand. Moreover, ABC iPad application is a new, customized app that presents the user with a wide array of ABC news, radio and TV content and is available from iTunes free of charge. ABC also offers ABC iPhone app for local radio fans. Through this application, users can connect and hear ABC metro stations’ broadcasts through the newest iPhone and iPad apps. This app also has graphics that are used for retina display along with support for multitasking. Bananas in Pyjamas is an additional iPhone app that is designed especially for kids aged between 2 and 4 years. The digital toy educates them on the way of preventing exposure to sun of B1 and B2 through the use of hats, sunscreen and glasses. Other applications include ABC news widget, which enables the user to be updated on the latest local, national and international news. It is exclusively created for Samsung wave gadgets, and is available in Australia as well as in other countries (ABC 2012). Bibliography ABC. "Applications." 2012. http://www.abc.net.au/services/mobile/applications.htm (accessed November 29, 2012). Apps, Peter. "Insight: Social media - a political tool for good or evil?" Reuters, September 29, 2011. Beale, Scott. "Duchamp Urinal Dress." June 9, 2011. http://laughingsquid.com/duchamp-urinal-dress/ (accessed November 29, 2012). DBCDE. Convergence Review - Background paper. Canberra: Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 2010. IBM. Glossary of social media terms. 2012. https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/swg_com_sfw_social_media_glossary_terms (accessed November 29, 2012). Kelion, Leo. "CES postscript: Smart TVs get ready for prime time." BBC News, January 15, 2012. How 2001: A Space Odyssey Predicted The Future. Directed by Stanley Kubrick. 2001. Miller, Patrick. "The 5 Best Smart TV Platforms of 2011." PCWorld, September 25, 2011. Read More