The document discusses the future of communication technology in 2023. It covers the future of smartphones, next generation gaming, and television. For smartphones, it predicts further improvements in voice recognition, flexible screens, built-in projectors, 3D screens, and holograms. For gaming, it sees the PC becoming the dominant platform, with innovations like Steam OS and Steam Machines bringing PC gaming to the living room. Television is predicted to have 3D and holographic screens, with on-demand viewing replacing traditional channels.
2. Uses and Gratification Theory
This is an approach used to understand why and how people
actively seek out specific media to satisfy specific needs. To put it
simply, the main question asked with this theory is, “what do people
do with media?”
This theory allows researchers and developers to better understand
the demand of the market and further allow them make business
decisions based on these results.
Technological developers use this information as an indicator of
what should be made next.
3. Technology of the Future
Throughout the past fifty years the face of communication
technology has evolved into what it is today. New innovations and
technological advances have been solely responsible for shaping
how we communicate with each other. Through our developments
we have created faster, more efficient methods to interact. There
are several topics covered in this slide show illustrating the history
and future of our technological landscape. The topic covered will
be:
The future of Smartphone technology
Next Generation Gaming
Television
4. History of the Telephone
Throughout the course of history, communication has been essential
to humanity’s success. In 1870, Alexander Graham Bell changed the
way we communicate upon inventing the telephone. The
telephone allowed people to talk in ways no one had experienced
before. The rate of communication was drastically sped up because
of the instant connectivity the telephone provided.
Over the course of the telephone’s development we have seen
many different variations. The rotary dial, touch tone, cordless and
finally the mobile phone. Until recently, the mobile phone was very
similar to the home LAN line phone. Now, we have mobile phones
as powerful and capable as some home personal computers.
5. Current Smart Phone Technology
In 2013, smartphones are taking communication to levels it has
never been to. With applications like Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram, people in today’s society have more outlets to
communicate than ever before. Smartphones are becoming so
prevalent they are starting to phase out the home phone. This is not
only because people have the ability to make calls anywhere they
are but also because of the increased ease at which they can
choose to communicate. If they don’t want to commit to a full
blown conversation they have the option to send a text message or
chat on Facebook. Along with the telephone, the original mobile
phone is also disappearing. Most wireless carries don’t sell the
devices anymore because of their outdated technology and
drastic decrease in demand.
6. The Future Smartphone
There are many possibilities the smartphone could evolve into.
The features of smartphone will continue to evolve allowing ease of communication. Already we
are seeing new developments in voice recognition services through Android’s new OS called
KitKat and Apple’s I0S.7.
With accessories like Samsung’s new Galaxy Gear, we are already witnessing the emergence of
smartphone accessories. This device looks and is in fact a watch but is also completely run by
AndroidOS and linked to a Galaxy smartphone.
Flexible screens should also be expected in the future. With smartphones technology
increasing, flexible screens will allow these expensive devices to take more wear and tear. They
are made possible by Organic Light-Emitting Diode technology which allows the screen to be
folded to pocket size.
7. The Future Smartphone
Built-in projectors are also on the near horizon. The Samsung Galaxy Beam is an early projector device
that hooks into a Galaxy smartphone. It allows the device to display 3D projections turning the phone into
a screen anywhere with a flat surface. While this seems extremely handy, there is a massive issue with
battery life. This is why projection devices are not being widely made yet.
http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxybeam/spec.html
3Dimensional screens and Holograms are the final technological advancement we should expect to see
in our smartphones. Screen resolution is at its climax of advancement. With screens like Apple’s retina
display, manufacturers have maxed out the technology currently present to them. Naturally, we want
more. The 3D screen is in its early development stages with few devices currently on the market such as
the Samsung AMOLED 3D and the Motorola MT810. Once again, the issue with these devices is battery
life. Once developers create a way to improve the processing power of the devices, Id expect to see 3D
screens rapidly advancing.
The next step after 3D screens would be holographic projections. This technology will combine the 3D
screen technology with projection screen technology to allow the user to view 3D images on the screen
itself.
9. Next Gen Gaming
Console gaming has generally been the focal point for video games in mainstream outlets for years. The new
XBOXONE and PlayStation 4 have recently been released and one has to question, is this really next gen material?
I bring this up because there is a fairly unknown way to play true next generation games with real next generation
hardware. PC gaming has been around for as long as any console can be remembered. While popularity for the
system has wavered over the years, the PC world is booming. Growing in numbers everyday members of a
subgroup called PCmasterrace on a popular site named Reddit, users discuss the overwhelming advantages to
PC gaming.
While the XboxONE and PS4 figure out their graphical performance issues with the most vital aspect of the next
gen gaming war, the PC is having no such issues. With both consoles promising 1080p resolution and failing to do
so (xbox runs at 720p and PS4 is boosted to 900p currently), why would one spend $600 on something last
generation could easily do? Here is a link to three different PC builds which will allow PC gaming, all in different
levels of quality depending on their hardware capabilities: Reasonable PC Build
Current next generation gaming technology is completely available today, the only difference is it does not
come packaged in lime green or royal blue. You may have to do a little extra work and a little extra research in
order to be playing something that looks better than systems of yesterday, but it is worth it. With machines
capable of running dual graphics processing units, maxing up to 350 frames per second all at 1080p resolution
and some even higher at 1440p, why buy a console?
10. Next Gen Gaming (Future)
In terms of next generation gaming, consoles are a thing of the past. The only system continuing
to make leaps and bounds of improvement is the PC.
Currently on the PC there are several ways you can access games. Origin developed by EA and
Steam developed by Valve Corporation, are video game clients which allows users to manage
and download all their games. Any developer who is trying to make it in the industry goes to valve
for a place to sell their product. It is products like Steam and Origin which are free to download
and use, that make PC gaming so easy.
On Dec 13, 2013 Valve corporation has announced they are releasing the first version of a new
gaming focused operating system called SteamOS. It is a Linux based platform meaning this OS
will be focused on a new type of console, which is completely integrated with your PC steam
library. Along with the release of their new OS in which any user can download for free and install
on a computer, they have announced premade “Steam Machines” along with a new controller
which attempts to bring the sensitivity of a mouse and keyboard to the living room with sensitive
track pads, which will be priced cheaper than the current next get consoles.
Innovations like this are attempting to bring the processing power and graphical power of the PC
to the living room through the Steam Machine and SteamOS’ streaming capabilities. On top of
this Valve is rewriting most of their thousands of games to Linux, so every Steam game will be
available to play on the new Steam console.
11. Next Gen Gaming (Future)
Steam Machine
Innovations like the Steam Machine and SteamOS will finally cross the void between PC and console gamers
allowing for both groups to get a flavor of the other. New multiplatform integration will be a main focus over the
next 10 years as companies try to sort out how to make the best video game system.
Interactive systems like Xbox Kinect and Nintendo’s Wii will also be a focus of development. Id expect the next
line of consoles to be fully equipped with sensitive, accurate motion sensor controls.
Last but not least, 3D gaming will be an innovation of the next 10 years. With rapid developments in 3D televisions
and smartphones, it is only a matter of time before all game developers are writing their games for 3D play.
Steam Machine Information
12. Long Tail Theory
The long tail theory describes specific niche marketing and the way it works on the
internet. Generally, when companies created a product, they focused on a “hit”
item. The internet changes this because it allows consumers to view and examine
alternate products that would most likely never make it to a store shelf. There is profit
in this for vendors as well. Amazon benefits from selling off the wall books and Netflix
can stream weird unheard of movies.
I believe this theory applies directly to the next gen gaming war because of how the
internet can provide alternate information for better ways to game in 2013 and in the
future. There aren’t ads in the paper, on Television or the radio promoting PC gaming.
It is an underground world that can only be discovered through the internet.
Microsoft and Sony spend billions on advertising each year in order to ensure their
product is the highest selling for the holidays. Most people aren’t aware video games
can be played on a PC and the internet gives them an opportunity to discover the
PC side of gaming.
13. Television
The television has had a massive impact on humanity and
specifically, how we interact with each other.
The amount of influence conveyed through a television screen is
rather alarming and the United States has been witnessing its effects
for more than the past half century. People act accordingly to how
they see things on television and can even be influenced into doing
stupid things, the show Jackass comes to mind.
In the early stages of television it was widely used for propaganda
during war times and for basic news casts. Throughout its
development, the television has changed and its influence with it.
Through its progression we have seen the alterations in our
clothing, the addition of sex appeal and tons of advertisements
using the same techniques.
14. Television’s Future
Television will likely begin to drastically alter in the next ten years. With
3D screen technology being perfected and holographic projectors in
the works, it isn’t ridiculous to say out televisions may just be
materializing before our eyes in 2023. Current voice recognition services
are as advanced as ever, coupling that communication with a
television is most likely the immediate step to be taken.
Aside from the hardware innovations I expect to see, I also expect a
radical change in the way we choose our programming. In ten years
we wont be paying a lump sum fee for 800 channels we don’t watch.
Everything will be by choice. If you want to watch Game of
thrones, you command your television to play Game of Thrones. Each
television series will essentially be its own channel, but will not be
constantly streaming. It will be available when each individual user
desires it. Essentially, On Demand viewing will be the only way of
viewing.
15. Diffusion of Innovations Theory
This theory directly seeks to explain how, why and at what rate new
technology is spread through varying cultures.
There are five steps of this theory and are as follows:
knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation and confirmation.
These five steps are the process used by consumers to choose which
item they desire, why and how they will use it.
This theory applies to this project because it relates to the decision
making process. This process for consumers may not seem important
but in reality, it is. Companies use these decisions to base their next
business move and to decide what they should focus on producing.
Without this type of data consumers would end up with products
they aren’t happy with or have no use for.
16. The Future
Upon examining the history of our technological landscape and
researching its future, Id say the next ten years have a lot in store for
communication technology. With devices as capable as a smart
phone and televisions displaying 3D images, where could we go
next? Judging by the rapid pace we have been progressing, it looks
as if it will only continue. New screen technologies, new video game
systems and a new way of watching television are all aspects of
communication we should expect to see changed and with
them, expect to see innovations that aren’t even fathomable yet.
17. Sources
Bellis, Mary. “The History of the Telephone Alexander Graham Bell.” About.com Inventors.
About.com, 2013. Web 6 Dec, 2013.
<http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventors/a/telephone.htm>
Henry, Alan. “The Best PC’s you can build for $300, $600 and $1200.” Lifehacker DIY.
Lifehacker.com, 2013. Web 6 Dec, 2013. <http://lifehacker.com/5840963/the-best-pcs-you-canbuild-for-600-and-1200>
Poh, Michael. “5 Key Features to Expect in Future Smartphones.” Honkiat Technology.
Honkiat.com, 2013. Web 6 Dec, 2013. <http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/future-smartphonefeatures/>
Young, Chris. “The Future of Television: Countless Options, Multiple Screens.” Wired Innovation
Insights. Wired.com, 2013. Web 6 Dec, 2013. <http://www.wired.com/insights/2013/09/the-futureof-television-countless-options-multiple-screens/>
