Convergence in the media
(Redirected from Convergence in the Media)
Categories: Articles to be merged
Convergence of media occurs when multiple products come together to form one product with the advantages of all of them.
For example, the PlayStation 2 is not only a games console, but also a CD player, DVD player and Internet connector. Mobile phones are another good example, in that they increasingly incorporate digital cameras, mp3 players, camcorders, voice recorders, and other devices.
This type of convergence is very popular. For the consumer it means more features in less space, while for the media conglomerates it means remaining competitive in the struggle for market dominance. The announcement of a new cell phone that incorporates iTunes music songs is an example of media convergence in consumer electronics.
However, convergence can have its downside. Particularly in their initial forms, converged devices are frequently less functional and reliable than their component parts (e.g. a DVD may perform better on a traditional DVD player than on a games console). Further, as single devices address a wide spectrum of consumer needs, breakdowns and problems become more likely, and more disruptive to the consumer. The greater the degree of convergence in a device, the more vulnerable consumers are to the failure of that device and face more complex user-interfaces.
Regardless, an ever-wider range of technologies are being converged into single multipurpose devices.
See also
- Technological convergence (see merge request above)
- Concentration of media ownership for the similar sounding phrase of media convergence.
- Digital Convergence Initiative