Convergent Convergent TechnologiesTechnologies

APIT 268 – Web and Media TechnologiesAPIT 268 – Web and Media Technologies

Fall 2008Fall 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

Wireless

Example: in-home

…purely wireless, information and data is pushed around via a router…

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

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 similardevices, processing techniques and media.

What is driving convergent technologies?

Second…

Widespread connectivity

Widespread connectivity helps to bring diverse informationtogether. It extends the value and capabilities of a devicebeyond 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 needs

• 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?

Cell phone with

Internet

Mobile messengers

Motor vehicle‘On Star’

Internet services delivered to TV sets

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 support (www.linkedin.com)

How has the consumer been empowered to lead the industry?

1. Availability of affordable computers and peripherals2. Low-cost connectivity3. LAN technology4. Mass-market server software5. Digital media creation tools

Individually each of these mediums are significant. Each is a forcedriving the future growth and development of the desktop pcand computer technology. Together, with Internet capabilities,these mediums help to create a growth dynamic with incrediblepower 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 supplychain management (like inventory tracking).

In closingIn closing

In this presentation, we have In this presentation, we have reviewed:reviewed:• Technologies that enable convergenceTechnologies that enable convergence• What is driving convergent technology’s growthWhat is driving convergent technology’s growth• How convergent technology came to beHow convergent technology came to be• What is it that’s making convergent technology’s growth What is it that’s making convergent technology’s growth

so strong currentlyso strong currently• Current trendsCurrent trends• How the consumer has become empoweredHow the consumer has become empowered• Future implications for converged technologies such as Future implications for converged technologies such as

RFIDRFID