Convergence of Devices

(IMPORTANT NOTE: I have included altered and edited versions of other photos in a later post. I hope this reflects that I have the necessary skills and completed the task although not specifically for the pictures of convergent communication technology. If the later pictures aren't satisfactory, I will edit the ones in this post in order to complete the task properly, please let me know should that be the case.)

"Technological convergence is the trend of technologies to merge into new technologies that bring together a myriad of media. While historically, technology handled one medium or accomplished one or two tasks, through technological convergence, devices are now able to present and interact with a wide array of media."
(Taken from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-technological-convergence.htm)

The internet is the prime example of technological convergence. Every entertainment technology you can think of us been integrated within, including radio, television, video, games and even books all of which can be accessed online.

Nowadays, our ability to communicate has evolved... However, the creation of most modern technology is more useful than original. Each and every form of modern communication is merely an upgrade or collaboration of old devices.

For example, nowadays everyone has a mobile phone, a device that not only lets you communicate orally or send messages from anywhere to another individual, but is also packed with additional features including internet access, messenger, images, movies, games, clocks, radio and any number of things.

Mobile phones, while amazingly innovative have been around for years. And before them was the telephone which started it all. Fortunately, the mobile phone has decreased in size and now generally fits in the palm of ones' hand.

Not every creation in communication is necessarily amazing, however, many devices go overlooked, just because they aren't as necessary as the mobile phone.
Though not something used by everyone, when the situation calls for it, a megaphone is a great communication device, amplifying oral or audio presentations in order to reach across a crowd or large gathering of people. Basically, the funnel like megaphone as seen above, was the precursor to devices like the microphone which electronically alter the pitch of the speaker and allow for the same effect as the megaphone except it can be combined with speakers to reach all kinds of other areas.
Other convergent communication devices inclyude the internet which originally started with only email, but nowadays has evolved into a crucial icon of pop culture with its countless social networking sites. Social Networking sites create a newer more detailed experience and act as a quick way of sharing files and information.


In terms of technology advancing and helping communication it is clear that advancements are vast and intricate in their development. Communication has certainly evolved, and that is all it seems to be doing as all aspects of communication being textual, visual, audio, oral are being melded together as computers in our homes, as mobile phones to carry with us. There is no longer any need for anything but our computers. Instead of newspapers we can simply access the internet and read news feeds, instead of books we can explore online encyclopedias, instead of television we can stream videos online. Where will the future of communication take us? Who knows. Surely technology will continue to evolve, but will there be anymore creative additions to the world of communication, or have we already reached our peak?

The following video shows some insight into where technology is at presently and where it might be going in the near future. Enjoy, I'm going to go on Facebook and communicate :)