Betamax to DVD Conversion or Transfer in the UK

Article: Convergence of Mobile media and the success of the polyphonic ringtone

Convergence is a term thrown around a lot these days and with it many misconceptions. In this article I will try to put my thoughts on it forward, if you disagree please mail me with your thoughts.

To understand convergence we first need to understand the potential of media.

Now convergence really brings all of these different types of media into one self-contained physical unit. We are already seeing video mobile networks in the UK and polyphonic mobile ringtone have outsold cd singles last year in the UK. We have palmtops that run fully integrated Windows CE OS and allow a further level of Convergence.

So where to now? My neighbour asked me recently if it was possible to build a computer that could act as computer, TV, DVD player and video recorder. This is certainly possible with hard drives exceeding 200gb and low end capture cards around but the price still dosent come close to the affordability of the same 4 functions in set top players. This is probably due to supply and demand and if someone came up with the idea it would probably take a while to get going so the initial investment would be high for the end-user. However if that uint provided wireless networking so that palmtops and laptops around the house could interface and enhance peoples lives im sure its not too far away.

In some cases however convergence dosent work. A few years back it was said that the eBook would replace the paper version in a few years. This has certainly not been the case. It must probably be pointed out that these are the same people who said the internet bookstore will kill the conventional one.