Convergence

‘Our culture wants both to multiply its media and erase all traces of mediation: ideally, it wants to erase its media in the very act of multiplying them’, Bolter et al (2000, p.5). This statement, one believes, defines the term convergence as it highlights the coming together of different media devices. An example of this is the idea that the internet is now a television, as well as a source designed for information and interaction. I can now watch catch-up channels, such as ‘BBC iPlayer’, on the internet, my ipod and my phone, as well as on the television. Furthermore, another example can be looked upon with the contemporary creation of ‘i Cloud’. This allows a user’s facilities to be combined together including photos, applications, videos, files, etcetera on multiple devices, such as their ipod, computer, iphone and so forth. The convergence of technologies is therefore becoming increasingly convenient, enabling access and the utilisation of numerous sources whenever the user desires.

 In Bolter’s book, he further highlights the idea of web cams being a form of convergence. They make you feel present at situations that you are focusing on. Additionally, you can take photos on a web cam which automatically uploads on to your computer, being a remediation of a camera. Along with web cams, there are also microphones which are connected to a computer, or are already installed; you can use these for websites such as Windows Live Messenger and Skype, a new way of making a telephone call. Paralleling with this, the ipod and iphone have an application called ‘Face Time’, which is similar to a telephone call; however the contact can be simultaneously viewed.

Bolter et al (2000, p. 225) claim that convergence means greater diversity for digital technologies in our culture’ which suggests that there are more devices which offer similar services for individuals. People can use different technological devices to receive more substantial results or use them for convenience- such as the fact that I own a ‘Kindle’, a device which stores all of my books so that I don’t have to luggage various copies around. Additionally, I rarely use my laptop as my phone and ipod has similar functions.

References

Bolter, J.D. & Grusin, R. (2000) Remediation: Understanding New Media, Massachusetts, MITT Press [Introduction and Chapter 14]