Digital convergence
Encyclopedia
Digital convergence refers to the convergence of four industries into one conglomerate, ITTCE (Information Technologies, Telecommunication, Consumer Electronics, and Entertainment).
This provides new, innovative solutions to consumers and business users. Based on digital technologies and digitized content it encompasses converged devices (such as smartphones, laptops, internet enabled entertainment devices and set top boxes), converged applications (e.g. music download on PC and handheld) and converged networks (IP networks).
Examples of this shifting trend are: Microsoft's Xbox
(From IT to Entertainment), Apple's iPhone
(From IT to Telecomm), and Sony's Vaio
(From Consumer Electronics to IT).
According to Harry Strasser, former CTO of Siemens
"[digital convergence will substantially impact people's lifestyle and work style]". The next hot trend in digital convergence is converged content, mixing personal (user generated) content with professional (copyright protected) content. An example are personal music videos that combine user generated photos with chart music. The German startup Trivid GmbH has developed an award winning solution, Clipgenerator, that enables users to create personal music videos with popular chart music and to share them in social communities such as facebook
, myspace
and Bebo
.
Digital convergence also refers to the digitizing
of traditional media. For example, during the advent of personal computers, text-only documents were the first to be digitized. Increasingly, graphics would be digitized, at first simple illustrations, then eventually photographs. Digital sound evolved from series of single-tone "beeps" to very detailed audio encodings.
The term doesn't necessarily refer only to the existence of technology, but also the mainstream integration of such technology. For example, as of the beginning of the 21st century, animated holograms exist, but are far from being commonplace, whereas one might imagine that such technology will be available for home use in the same way as laptop
s are available to the general public today.
Other terms may be used for this phenomenon. Siliwood, for example, is a portmanteau of Silicon Valley
and Hollywood, referring to all aspects of cinema
digitizing, from digital camera
s replacing film stock
, to computer-generated effects replacing physical special effects.
This provides new, innovative solutions to consumers and business users. Based on digital technologies and digitized content it encompasses converged devices (such as smartphones, laptops, internet enabled entertainment devices and set top boxes), converged applications (e.g. music download on PC and handheld) and converged networks (IP networks).
Examples of this shifting trend are: Microsoft's Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
(From IT to Entertainment), Apple's iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
(From IT to Telecomm), and Sony's Vaio
VAIO
VAIO is a sub-brand used for many of Sony's computer products. Originally an acronym of Video Audio Integrated Operation, this was amended to Visual Audio Intelligent Organizer in 2008 to celebrate the brand's 10th anniversary...
(From Consumer Electronics to IT).
According to Harry Strasser, former CTO of Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
"[digital convergence will substantially impact people's lifestyle and work style]". The next hot trend in digital convergence is converged content, mixing personal (user generated) content with professional (copyright protected) content. An example are personal music videos that combine user generated photos with chart music. The German startup Trivid GmbH has developed an award winning solution, Clipgenerator, that enables users to create personal music videos with popular chart music and to share them in social communities such as facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and Bebo
Bebo
Bebo is a social networking website launched in July 2005. It is currently owned and operated by Criterion Capital Partners after taking over from AOL in June 2010....
.
Digital convergence also refers to the digitizing
Digitizing
Digitizing or digitization is the representation of an object, image, sound, document or a signal by a discrete set of its points or samples. The result is called digital representation or, more specifically, a digital image, for the object, and digital form, for the signal...
of traditional media. For example, during the advent of personal computers, text-only documents were the first to be digitized. Increasingly, graphics would be digitized, at first simple illustrations, then eventually photographs. Digital sound evolved from series of single-tone "beeps" to very detailed audio encodings.
The term doesn't necessarily refer only to the existence of technology, but also the mainstream integration of such technology. For example, as of the beginning of the 21st century, animated holograms exist, but are far from being commonplace, whereas one might imagine that such technology will be available for home use in the same way as laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
s are available to the general public today.
Other terms may be used for this phenomenon. Siliwood, for example, is a portmanteau of Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
and Hollywood, referring to all aspects of cinema
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
digitizing, from digital camera
Digital camera
A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...
s replacing film stock
Film stock
Film stock is photographic film on which filmmaking of motion pictures are shot and reproduced. The equivalent in television production is video tape.-1889–1899:...
, to computer-generated effects replacing physical special effects.