Saturday, 15 October 2011

Multi-functional Technology Gadgets in the Home

By Eric James


For work and entertainment, the desktop computer continues to be a key part of our daily lives. However, as technology continues to advance and the world becomes increasingly connected, many household devices, such as the humble television, are being transformed into multi-tasking devices of the future. The past couple of years have seen companies release HDTVs with Ethernet and Wi-Fi allowing you to connect to the Internet wit your TV. This provides several types of multimedia functionality. Computer hardware manufacturers have been building high-resolution screens for many years but until recently they were too pricey for the home and personal market. However, production costs inevitably lowered and now HDTVs can be found in many houses.

When technology advances, consumer demands also go up which means manufacturers incorporate many more new features and functions. Televisions (are also involved in this process. Considering the number of gadgets we have to use daily, streamlining our lives has become a useful marketing strategy for the technology companies. Phones used to simply be phones, but now they have access to the Internet, have built-in cameras and can be used to listen to the radio. The Internet continues to be a key factor in advancing technology.

Online businesses are eager to take advantage of the new opportunities. You can now access online television streaming and popular websites such as Twitter and YouTube, all through your humble television. However, features such as social book marking will no doubt be available soon. Imagine being able to save your bookmarks and access them all without turning on your computer. Personalization and customization are key features of the Internet. Imagine being able to design, build and launch a personalized homepage and then access it by a button on the remote control called "my homepage".

Whilst most people enjoy the convergence of features into a single multi-functional device, some people dislike them. Many people prefer to switch off from the constant connectivity with the world, whilst others like having specific devices for specific functions. Indeed there is an argument that it is better to do one job really well rather than many jobs poorly.

Nevertheless, conventional computers still arguably offer the best web browsing experience. But the magic is within discovering new functionalities in traditional objects.

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




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