Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Can Your Television Tweet?

By Eric James


Computers continue to be an integral part of the daily lives of millions of people all over the world by offering the best platform for work, entertainment and multimedia. However, as technology advances and the world becomes ever more connected, many household devices, such as the television, are being transformed into multi-tasking devices of the future.

With the release of HDTVs featuring built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi, you can access the Internet whilst watching a favorite television show. This offers several types of multimedia functionality. Technology manufacturers have been supplying high-resolution screens for numerous years but until recently they were too pricey for the home and personal market. However, production costs inevitably lowered and HDTVs can now be found in many homes.

When technology advances, consumer demands also increase which means manufacturers incorporate many more new features. Televisions (are also involved in this process. Considering the number of devices and gadgets we have to use daily, streamlining our lives has become a useful marketing strategy for technology companies. The telephone used to only feature calls and nothing else, but now you can access the Internet, take pictures and listen to music. The Internet is a key factor in facilitating this, pushing the potential of home technology further.

Websites are itching to take advantage of the new markets. National broadcasters are offering online streaming through televisions and many popular websites such as YouTube can now be accessed by your television. However, more and more services (such as online book marking and social networks) will undoubtedly be available soon. Imagine being able to save favorites online and access all your bookmarked websites without turning on your computer. Personalization and customization are key features of the Internet. Imagine being able to design, build and publish a personalized homepage and then access it by a button on your remote control called "my homepage".

Despite many people welcoming these technological advances, some people object to the convergence of so many features into one domestic device. Reasons range from wanting to "switch off and get away from being constantly connected to the world" to just wanting to "use the TV as a form of escapism".

Ultimately, a modern day laptop can do a much better job at providing online connections. But the magic is within discovering new functionalities in traditional objects such as the new TVs.

The question arises: should designers embrace innovation or tradition? Is this a worrying indication of the encroachment of technology in every part of our lives?




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