"What 'converged' apps do you use? (if any)...Or what would you use if you had the chance?"
Like most people in the western world, I have a mobile phone. And like most young people of today I have everything on there - my contacts, my diary, alarm, my music. If I ever misplace my phone I freak out, thinking that I won't be able to find it again or get it back, which really, is quite sad. Another convergent technology that I find very handy is my GPS. Since I often have to travel for work or to find peoples houses in unfamiliar areas, my GPS makes it so much easier. When I think about it though, I have only had this piece of machinery for just over a year and before that, I got around fine with just a map book. Now though, I find that I can't go anywhere I haven't been to before without the aid of my GPS to give me directions.
As far as technologies I would like to own - I would very much like to have an IPhone, simply because you can do so much more on it and it's more user-friendly than my little Motorola phone. It's large screen, qwerty keyboard, onboard itunes and downloadable/customisable apps are all very appealing to me, and I keep finding new reasons and justifications as to why I need/want one. Again, it is a technology that is not necessary to our lives, as we have all gotten along just fine without the IPhone for hundreds of years, but suddenly with all that it offers, this gadget has become a sought-after commodity.
I was watching NextWorld on the Discovery channel the other day and the episode was all about future cars. What I found really interesting about these concept cars of the future is that so many of them include built-in robots, personalities, GPS systems, and all sorts of other 'user-friendly' devices. The Nissan PIVO was a very cool little Japanese car that has a mini-robot who is able to scan and detect the emotions of the driver - it can tell when you are happy, sad, angry, tired, and then offers advice such as 'you look tired, there is a coffee stop five-hundred meters ahead, on the left.' It can also control the car if the driver turns on a sort of 'auto pilot' which allows the car to park itself. For added safety this car contains LCD screens which give a 360 degree view of the surroundings of the car so the driver can 'see' in every direction, through a sort of augmented reality. Wikipedia has more details:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Pivo
and to view a video of the PIVO check out this site:
http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/nissan-pivo-2-from-next-world/261658
Maybe this cute little car could be the end of road rage?!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Week 9 Speed Writing
The random words that came spilling out of my head during this weeks speed writing session:
I begin to wake and my senses come back one by one. As I become aware of my surroundings I start to think of all the possibilities for the next few hours, and in doing so my thought processes fire and these options become available for my access. My partner likes to think he controls me but hasn't yet realised that I control him in the most dangerous of ways. He can't do without me, I'm in his head. Anyway, as the day begins my boxes spin and the colours within me ignite, a wonderful spectacle of power and light. My abilities are unchallenged - control, entertainment, suggestions, connections - I can provide them all. But I'll always be watching when he takes advantage and tries to take over. He calls me tempremental sometimes and gets frustrated when I've had enough and begin to shut down, but it's my perogative when he pisses me off. Don't cross her they said, she'll give you hell. They were right and he should listen to those who are smarter than him more often. But I always open up to him again when he is gentle and patient. We have a love hate relationship like most. This time we are in perfect unison, the tempo and speed matched exactly and as we work together all other tensions fade away. As he strokes and turns, I change and morph into whatever he desires me to be, moulding perfectly to his every will. I may not like him trying to control me but I enjoy it when we are in harmony. It's bliss. As he becomes faster and faster, searching for something within me I keep up by displaying every possibility, every avenue, every color, expression, thought, option. Eyes locked he seems to stare through me as he searches wave after wave, stroke after stroke. I'm not sure exactly what he wants but I deliver every time. Why do you think he keeps cooming back? Finally his face lights up as he reaches his destination, the final screen is intoxicating to him, the end of his search, the satisfaction in finding what he has desperately wanted. I glow brighter as the music streams through my being and reaches out to his ears. The song he has wanted to hear all day and I, as usual, am the one to provide it. I watch him as he relaxes back into the couch, eyes closed, bathed in satisfaction. I too close my eyes, going dark and quiet inside with his music still streming from me. A rare moment of silence after we worked together to achieve harmounious bliss. A sudden sound interrupts our precious moment. A ringing. I open my eyes to see who is calling and dim when I see the name Charlotte. The girlfriend. His expression doesn't falter as the draws me up to his face. The happiness in his eyes evident when he taps me to answer, a little to hard for my liking but I connect him anyway, to tired to argue. For a moment we were one, but once again his reality comes calling and I am pushed aside as nothing but a toy, comething to be used. But I know I will always come first. I'm in his head, I'm his everything, no man can be without their IPhone.
I begin to wake and my senses come back one by one. As I become aware of my surroundings I start to think of all the possibilities for the next few hours, and in doing so my thought processes fire and these options become available for my access. My partner likes to think he controls me but hasn't yet realised that I control him in the most dangerous of ways. He can't do without me, I'm in his head. Anyway, as the day begins my boxes spin and the colours within me ignite, a wonderful spectacle of power and light. My abilities are unchallenged - control, entertainment, suggestions, connections - I can provide them all. But I'll always be watching when he takes advantage and tries to take over. He calls me tempremental sometimes and gets frustrated when I've had enough and begin to shut down, but it's my perogative when he pisses me off. Don't cross her they said, she'll give you hell. They were right and he should listen to those who are smarter than him more often. But I always open up to him again when he is gentle and patient. We have a love hate relationship like most. This time we are in perfect unison, the tempo and speed matched exactly and as we work together all other tensions fade away. As he strokes and turns, I change and morph into whatever he desires me to be, moulding perfectly to his every will. I may not like him trying to control me but I enjoy it when we are in harmony. It's bliss. As he becomes faster and faster, searching for something within me I keep up by displaying every possibility, every avenue, every color, expression, thought, option. Eyes locked he seems to stare through me as he searches wave after wave, stroke after stroke. I'm not sure exactly what he wants but I deliver every time. Why do you think he keeps cooming back? Finally his face lights up as he reaches his destination, the final screen is intoxicating to him, the end of his search, the satisfaction in finding what he has desperately wanted. I glow brighter as the music streams through my being and reaches out to his ears. The song he has wanted to hear all day and I, as usual, am the one to provide it. I watch him as he relaxes back into the couch, eyes closed, bathed in satisfaction. I too close my eyes, going dark and quiet inside with his music still streming from me. A rare moment of silence after we worked together to achieve harmounious bliss. A sudden sound interrupts our precious moment. A ringing. I open my eyes to see who is calling and dim when I see the name Charlotte. The girlfriend. His expression doesn't falter as the draws me up to his face. The happiness in his eyes evident when he taps me to answer, a little to hard for my liking but I connect him anyway, to tired to argue. For a moment we were one, but once again his reality comes calling and I am pushed aside as nothing but a toy, comething to be used. But I know I will always come first. I'm in his head, I'm his everything, no man can be without their IPhone.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Week 8 Motivation to Play Article
Motivations for Play in Computer Role-Playing Games:
by; Anders Tychsen, MichaelHitchens, Thea Brolund
http://indacan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tychsen.pdf
This article focuses on the motivational factors of gamers when playing various role playing games. The authors undertook a study on what motivates game players to play games and what keeps them interested in the game. The article identified ten categories of motivation for playing games: "Advancement, mechanics, competition, socializing, relationship, teamwork, discovery, role-playing, customization and escapism." Looking at these categories they seem like pretty obvious motivational tools for games to employ in order to keep the players interested. In addition to this there were "six principal reasons for video game play: Competition, challenge, social interaction, diversion...fantasy and arousal," which again are crucial elements that most popular and widely successful games employ. In role playing games it was found that, "discovery & immersion and character uniqueness" were the most important motivations for gamers participating in the survey, while "competition, 'grief play,' domination over other players and real-life" aspects hardly contributed to the enjoyment or motivation to keep playing the game.
All in all I found that this article was not very useful as it re-iterated what I already knew about how games motivate people to play. It perhaps defined the specific elements that game designers should concentrate on including in their games, and provided concise lists of these aspects, though the long winded study and data correlation tables were irrelevant and quite frankly boring. As far as incorporating this data into my own idea, I will strive to utilise the concise lists of motivational tools and I will keep the main reasons for game-play in mind to ensure I come up with an idea for a game that will incorporate all of the elements of the most successful games.
by; Anders Tychsen, MichaelHitchens, Thea Brolund
http://indacan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tychsen.pdf
This article focuses on the motivational factors of gamers when playing various role playing games. The authors undertook a study on what motivates game players to play games and what keeps them interested in the game. The article identified ten categories of motivation for playing games: "Advancement, mechanics, competition, socializing, relationship, teamwork, discovery, role-playing, customization and escapism." Looking at these categories they seem like pretty obvious motivational tools for games to employ in order to keep the players interested. In addition to this there were "six principal reasons for video game play: Competition, challenge, social interaction, diversion...fantasy and arousal," which again are crucial elements that most popular and widely successful games employ. In role playing games it was found that, "discovery & immersion and character uniqueness" were the most important motivations for gamers participating in the survey, while "competition, 'grief play,' domination over other players and real-life" aspects hardly contributed to the enjoyment or motivation to keep playing the game.
All in all I found that this article was not very useful as it re-iterated what I already knew about how games motivate people to play. It perhaps defined the specific elements that game designers should concentrate on including in their games, and provided concise lists of these aspects, though the long winded study and data correlation tables were irrelevant and quite frankly boring. As far as incorporating this data into my own idea, I will strive to utilise the concise lists of motivational tools and I will keep the main reasons for game-play in mind to ensure I come up with an idea for a game that will incorporate all of the elements of the most successful games.
Week 8: Clustering Exercise
The following is the excerpt I wrote from our clustering exercise:
I wonder what it's like in the blackness; a void of non-existence until someone wakes you up- 'cybernetic oblivion' and eternal blackness, until someone calls you forward and you become and imitation of life once more, that presents to your controller the ideal or perfect version of themselves. But what if the construction? If they only exist within the digital realm, surely they are unreal: not you at all- simply a construction. An unrealistic digital reality. But what if that 'version' of yourself was a perfect representation- a perfect copy? Would that make them you? Take all the data on yourself- every medical record, dental check, online profile, digital photograph, family history...all compiled...and you have you- the perfect digital copy- yourself formulated from your data. 'The digital age' has new meaning when thought of as a time when every life record is stored in a digital system, accessible through a digital portal, and able to render a complete and perfect digital version of you and me- a digital reality...no falseness, no construction, no picking out the best bits, augmenting, changing, selecting, editing...just YOU.
I wonder what it's like in the blackness; a void of non-existence until someone wakes you up- 'cybernetic oblivion' and eternal blackness, until someone calls you forward and you become and imitation of life once more, that presents to your controller the ideal or perfect version of themselves. But what if the construction? If they only exist within the digital realm, surely they are unreal: not you at all- simply a construction. An unrealistic digital reality. But what if that 'version' of yourself was a perfect representation- a perfect copy? Would that make them you? Take all the data on yourself- every medical record, dental check, online profile, digital photograph, family history...all compiled...and you have you- the perfect digital copy- yourself formulated from your data. 'The digital age' has new meaning when thought of as a time when every life record is stored in a digital system, accessible through a digital portal, and able to render a complete and perfect digital version of you and me- a digital reality...no falseness, no construction, no picking out the best bits, augmenting, changing, selecting, editing...just YOU.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Week 7 Thinking about the Final Assignment
"How can your final project can be delivered or marketed in an online environment?"
There are very few truly original ideas today, particularly when it comes to games, networks, movies or other media-related developments. So how do 'new' ideas within these mediums gain enough interest to become world-wide successes?
An important concept from Seth Godin's blog is "The Big Drop Off" - circles of people that spread our ideas...if they are worthwhile...which will inevitably reach the eyes and ears of marketers, producers and any other people who may be interested in what the idea-maker has to offer. This concept should always be kept in mind as our initial pitch to the 'first circle' must have enough impact for these people to spread it to a second circle and then to a third and so on in a ripple effect. If our initial pitch doesn't pack enough punch, the ripples will surely die away before the idea reaches those who could help us develop it.
But how to go about planning and presenting a pitch that will make people want to listen and develop our idea is another tactic altogether. As I was thinking of proposing an idea for an online networking game my challenge is to come up with something that is new, different from what is already popular and that will capture the interest of networking enthusiasts as well as average internet users. This will require research into what is already out there that could render my idea redundant and what exactly made the current networking/gaming sites so popular and thus successful. By incorporating this into my idea I should be able to ensure that my idea grabs the attention of those interested in supporting new interactive sites. Most importantly, one must make clear why these people should care about what they are proposing - why should anyone be bothered with this idea?! Answer that and you are well on your way to success.
There are very few truly original ideas today, particularly when it comes to games, networks, movies or other media-related developments. So how do 'new' ideas within these mediums gain enough interest to become world-wide successes?
An important concept from Seth Godin's blog is "The Big Drop Off" - circles of people that spread our ideas...if they are worthwhile...which will inevitably reach the eyes and ears of marketers, producers and any other people who may be interested in what the idea-maker has to offer. This concept should always be kept in mind as our initial pitch to the 'first circle' must have enough impact for these people to spread it to a second circle and then to a third and so on in a ripple effect. If our initial pitch doesn't pack enough punch, the ripples will surely die away before the idea reaches those who could help us develop it.
But how to go about planning and presenting a pitch that will make people want to listen and develop our idea is another tactic altogether. As I was thinking of proposing an idea for an online networking game my challenge is to come up with something that is new, different from what is already popular and that will capture the interest of networking enthusiasts as well as average internet users. This will require research into what is already out there that could render my idea redundant and what exactly made the current networking/gaming sites so popular and thus successful. By incorporating this into my idea I should be able to ensure that my idea grabs the attention of those interested in supporting new interactive sites. Most importantly, one must make clear why these people should care about what they are proposing - why should anyone be bothered with this idea?! Answer that and you are well on your way to success.
speed writing draft 2
edit of initial speed writing session: week 7
Beethoven Op.110 for piano~
A sun shower graces a grassy hillside. As the drops fall onto the ground, the grass, and the flowers a calm mist fills the air. One little drop among the thousands falling on the hill, tumbles down the petal of a flower at the peak of the hill, slipping along the yellow slide. It reaches the center of the flower and rolls onto the fluffy pollen, wiggling and wobbling as the flower bends in the breeze. As the rain fades and quietens to a stop, the single drop rolls off the flowers middle and tumbles down the stalk, coming to a leaf half way down. It rolls and wobbles up an down the soft green leaf, before reaching the end and gazing off the precipice. As it leans over the edge it begins to slip down bit by bit and falls slenderly onto the dampened ground. The hill is steep so our little rain drop slowly begins to roll down and down, curving through the stalks of flowers and blades of grass threatening to splice it into two. Down and down it rolls through the green, over the moistened earth and around the mounds of dirt and plants. A glimpse of sun reflects off what lays ahead. As the little rain drop rolls through the thinning hillside it sees the clear pool of water made by its cousins. The lake grows larger and larger as the millions of little rain drops tumble in. Our little rain drop is picking up speed rolling and rolling down the hillside. As it reaches the bank it launches off a shallow mound of earth, sailing through the air and enjoying the rays of sun dancing on the surface of the pool, before plunging into the lake to join the rest of the rain.
Beethoven Op.110 for piano~
A sun shower graces a grassy hillside. As the drops fall onto the ground, the grass, and the flowers a calm mist fills the air. One little drop among the thousands falling on the hill, tumbles down the petal of a flower at the peak of the hill, slipping along the yellow slide. It reaches the center of the flower and rolls onto the fluffy pollen, wiggling and wobbling as the flower bends in the breeze. As the rain fades and quietens to a stop, the single drop rolls off the flowers middle and tumbles down the stalk, coming to a leaf half way down. It rolls and wobbles up an down the soft green leaf, before reaching the end and gazing off the precipice. As it leans over the edge it begins to slip down bit by bit and falls slenderly onto the dampened ground. The hill is steep so our little rain drop slowly begins to roll down and down, curving through the stalks of flowers and blades of grass threatening to splice it into two. Down and down it rolls through the green, over the moistened earth and around the mounds of dirt and plants. A glimpse of sun reflects off what lays ahead. As the little rain drop rolls through the thinning hillside it sees the clear pool of water made by its cousins. The lake grows larger and larger as the millions of little rain drops tumble in. Our little rain drop is picking up speed rolling and rolling down the hillside. As it reaches the bank it launches off a shallow mound of earth, sailing through the air and enjoying the rays of sun dancing on the surface of the pool, before plunging into the lake to join the rest of the rain.
Week 7 Speed Writing
Beethoven Op.110 for piano
A sun shower graces a grassy hillside. As the drops fall onto the ground the grass the flowers a calm mist fills the air. One drop tumbles down a petal sliding sliding along the yellow slide. It reaches the center of the flower and rolls onto the fluffy pollen wiggling and wobbling as the flower bend in the breeze. As the rain fades and comes to a stop, the single drop rolls off the flowers middle and tumbles down the stalk, coming to a leaf half way down. It rolls and wobbles up an down the soft green leaf until it reaches the end and gazes off the precipice. As it leans off the edge it begins to slip down bit by bit and falls slenderly onto the dampened ground. The hill is steep so our little rain drop slowly begins to roll down and down, curving through the stalks of flowers and blades of grass threatening to splice it into two. Down and Down it rolls through the green over the moistened earth and around the mounds of dirt and plants. A glimpse of sun reflects off what lays ahead and as the little rain drop rolls through the thinning hillside it sees the clear pool of water made by its cousins. The lake grows larger and larger as the millions of little rain drops tumble in. Our little rain drop is picking up speed rolling rolling down the hillside and as it reaches the bank it launches off the shallow mound of earth, sailing through the air and enjoying the rays of sun dancing on the surface of the pool, before plunging into the lake to join the rest of the rain.
A sun shower graces a grassy hillside. As the drops fall onto the ground the grass the flowers a calm mist fills the air. One drop tumbles down a petal sliding sliding along the yellow slide. It reaches the center of the flower and rolls onto the fluffy pollen wiggling and wobbling as the flower bend in the breeze. As the rain fades and comes to a stop, the single drop rolls off the flowers middle and tumbles down the stalk, coming to a leaf half way down. It rolls and wobbles up an down the soft green leaf until it reaches the end and gazes off the precipice. As it leans off the edge it begins to slip down bit by bit and falls slenderly onto the dampened ground. The hill is steep so our little rain drop slowly begins to roll down and down, curving through the stalks of flowers and blades of grass threatening to splice it into two. Down and Down it rolls through the green over the moistened earth and around the mounds of dirt and plants. A glimpse of sun reflects off what lays ahead and as the little rain drop rolls through the thinning hillside it sees the clear pool of water made by its cousins. The lake grows larger and larger as the millions of little rain drops tumble in. Our little rain drop is picking up speed rolling rolling down the hillside and as it reaches the bank it launches off the shallow mound of earth, sailing through the air and enjoying the rays of sun dancing on the surface of the pool, before plunging into the lake to join the rest of the rain.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Week 6 Article Thoughts: Interactive TV
Week 6: 04/09/2009
"Primetime Emmy Awards Telecast to Include Interactive Element"
http://itvt.com/story/5556/primetime-emmy-awards-telecast-include-interactive-element
This article details the new feature that allows viewers to vote for the "Breakthrough Performance of the Year," similar to the voting for the Logies. As viewer voting becomes more and more popular due to programs such as Australian Idol, it makes sense that the show executives have chosen to include this element. As Jack Sussman of CBS states, "...their votes play a direct role in shaping part of the Emmy telecast," thus making the viewers feel more involved in the outcome of the show. This in turn should generate more interest in the program and more watchers/voters as today's consumers would much rather feel involved in the show rather than just a watcher. This expansion of interactive TV to include televisions biggest awards show demonstrates society's need to influence the programs they watch and the producers awareness of the profit potential of interactivity. As Jeff Clark, VP of TV.com said that this new interactive element is "...giving these fans the most complete Emmys experience possible." For avid fans of the show, the ability to vote for their favourites in a specific category is an excellent way to feel a part of the action on the night. For me, I'm quite happy to watch and let the program wash over me to be forgotten about the next day, but I'm just not the type of person to be bothered voting in a poll that determines the winner of a category that sounds completely made up - "Breakthrough Performance of the Year?"... I think I'll stick to best actress.
"Primetime Emmy Awards Telecast to Include Interactive Element"
http://itvt.com/story/5556/primetime-emmy-awards-telecast-include-interactive-element
This article details the new feature that allows viewers to vote for the "Breakthrough Performance of the Year," similar to the voting for the Logies. As viewer voting becomes more and more popular due to programs such as Australian Idol, it makes sense that the show executives have chosen to include this element. As Jack Sussman of CBS states, "...their votes play a direct role in shaping part of the Emmy telecast," thus making the viewers feel more involved in the outcome of the show. This in turn should generate more interest in the program and more watchers/voters as today's consumers would much rather feel involved in the show rather than just a watcher. This expansion of interactive TV to include televisions biggest awards show demonstrates society's need to influence the programs they watch and the producers awareness of the profit potential of interactivity. As Jeff Clark, VP of TV.com said that this new interactive element is "...giving these fans the most complete Emmys experience possible." For avid fans of the show, the ability to vote for their favourites in a specific category is an excellent way to feel a part of the action on the night. For me, I'm quite happy to watch and let the program wash over me to be forgotten about the next day, but I'm just not the type of person to be bothered voting in a poll that determines the winner of a category that sounds completely made up - "Breakthrough Performance of the Year?"... I think I'll stick to best actress.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Week 6 Article Thoughts: Interactive TV
Week 6: 03/09/2009
"IBM Files Patent for Blogging Remote Control"
http://itvt.com/story/5523/ibm-files-patent-blogging-remote-control
This article describes IBM's new idea for a remote control that will allow the user to blog or twitter about what program they are currently watching. In essence a network-capable remote that can automatically post what the user is watching, or allow them to customise the post, add a screenshot or comment about the program. The rationale states that "more than ever, people wish to be able to share their comments with others in real time as they experience life," thus a technology that allows the consumer to directly share their thoughts or even just enable the auto-blogging option to post what they are watching on TV, is a conveniant way for consumers to stay in touch with their friends and followers from their living rooms. While this may sound like just another absurd extension of interactivity and networking via a TV remote, it can also be seen as a consumerist trap for those obsessed with exposing their every move to the twittering or blogging world. Giving a generation of networkers the capability of updating their status or posts via a remote, may inevitably increase their time spent sitting on a couch, watching television and updating their profiles. To me it sounds like a ridiculous waste of time and money, as rather than encouraging our inactive, obese and increasingly unhealthy society to get up and do something with their lives, this remote seems to say, 'its ok, you can sit on your couch for as long as you like and still stay in touch with what is going on in the world.'
"IBM Files Patent for Blogging Remote Control"
http://itvt.com/story/5523/ibm-files-patent-blogging-remote-control
This article describes IBM's new idea for a remote control that will allow the user to blog or twitter about what program they are currently watching. In essence a network-capable remote that can automatically post what the user is watching, or allow them to customise the post, add a screenshot or comment about the program. The rationale states that "more than ever, people wish to be able to share their comments with others in real time as they experience life," thus a technology that allows the consumer to directly share their thoughts or even just enable the auto-blogging option to post what they are watching on TV, is a conveniant way for consumers to stay in touch with their friends and followers from their living rooms. While this may sound like just another absurd extension of interactivity and networking via a TV remote, it can also be seen as a consumerist trap for those obsessed with exposing their every move to the twittering or blogging world. Giving a generation of networkers the capability of updating their status or posts via a remote, may inevitably increase their time spent sitting on a couch, watching television and updating their profiles. To me it sounds like a ridiculous waste of time and money, as rather than encouraging our inactive, obese and increasingly unhealthy society to get up and do something with their lives, this remote seems to say, 'its ok, you can sit on your couch for as long as you like and still stay in touch with what is going on in the world.'
Week 6 Article Thoughts: Interactive TV
Week 6: 03/09/2009
"BBC Unveils Revamped Red-Button Interactive TV Service for Children's Channel, CBeebies"
http://itvt.com/story/5532/bbc-unveils-revamped-red-button-interactive-tv-service-childrens-channel-cbeebies
This news article was very interesting as it details BBC's new interactive channel for kids six and under called 'CBeebies.' In the article, Damian Vicary, interactive TV producer for BBC Children's, describes the features and educational benefits of the new interactive platform, such as information about the characters from some of the most popular children's shows, educational games about nature and even a feature for the parents, allowing mum and dad to link in to BBC online and find the latest hot topics or games to play with their kids. This level of interactivity mirrors the Internet as far as what is provided for the children/parents to access, as the CBeebies website could potentially contain the exact same platform. The biggest difference is that is can ass be accessed whilst watching TV from the comfort of your own living room.
By targeting young children with this new interactive platform, channels such as BBC are leading the way into a new generation of interactive TV. It can be assumed that a generation of children brought up within the world of interactive TV will not be satisfied with 'normal' TV once they grow up, but rather the demand for interactive programs and accessible features will inevitably increase. This new CBeebies platform is being presented under the banner of education, as are most new programs and features concerning children. The channel appears to have been created with the aim of extending the knowledge and interest in education of young children, which parents will eagerly accept and use. However, while the information presented as harmless and may well extend the knowledge of young kids, the interactive nature of the platform also creates an expectation and a need to have access to whatever they want whenever they want. By having schedualed games and activities such as kareoke and bedtime stories, the children indulging in the platform will come to expect the information they desire to be readily available whenever they feel like accessing it, unlike the 'traditional' form of TV where the viewer must wait for the schedualed time of their program to begin, with no entertainment to take up the time spent waiting. Younger generations dependance on technology is becomming more and more of a need than a want, as they are being brought up with these interactive platforms and multiple outlets for accessing information when and where they want.
"BBC Unveils Revamped Red-Button Interactive TV Service for Children's Channel, CBeebies"
http://itvt.com/story/5532/bbc-unveils-revamped-red-button-interactive-tv-service-childrens-channel-cbeebies
This news article was very interesting as it details BBC's new interactive channel for kids six and under called 'CBeebies.' In the article, Damian Vicary, interactive TV producer for BBC Children's, describes the features and educational benefits of the new interactive platform, such as information about the characters from some of the most popular children's shows, educational games about nature and even a feature for the parents, allowing mum and dad to link in to BBC online and find the latest hot topics or games to play with their kids. This level of interactivity mirrors the Internet as far as what is provided for the children/parents to access, as the CBeebies website could potentially contain the exact same platform. The biggest difference is that is can ass be accessed whilst watching TV from the comfort of your own living room.
By targeting young children with this new interactive platform, channels such as BBC are leading the way into a new generation of interactive TV. It can be assumed that a generation of children brought up within the world of interactive TV will not be satisfied with 'normal' TV once they grow up, but rather the demand for interactive programs and accessible features will inevitably increase. This new CBeebies platform is being presented under the banner of education, as are most new programs and features concerning children. The channel appears to have been created with the aim of extending the knowledge and interest in education of young children, which parents will eagerly accept and use. However, while the information presented as harmless and may well extend the knowledge of young kids, the interactive nature of the platform also creates an expectation and a need to have access to whatever they want whenever they want. By having schedualed games and activities such as kareoke and bedtime stories, the children indulging in the platform will come to expect the information they desire to be readily available whenever they feel like accessing it, unlike the 'traditional' form of TV where the viewer must wait for the schedualed time of their program to begin, with no entertainment to take up the time spent waiting. Younger generations dependance on technology is becomming more and more of a need than a want, as they are being brought up with these interactive platforms and multiple outlets for accessing information when and where they want.
interactive tv
Week 6: 03/09/2009
4. "What is your overview of the recent movements in Interactive TV?"
Having grown up in a world of technology and particularly in a household of the latest technology (my father is a nerd) I have become rather desensitised to the progression of interactive TV. I have come to expect the changes and advancements in technology and in television as a normal part of everyday life. I definitely enjoy certain aspects of interactive TV and indulge in them often, such as the interactive options on certain Foxtel channels and the voting capabilities that allow the consumer to contribute to the outcome of programs such as "Australian idol" and "so you think you can dance." I see it as an inevitable change as the upcoming techno generations will not be satisfyed with sitting and staring at a screen for very long - games have become more user-friendly and interactive, and TV is not far behind. The consumer can gain a level of satisfaction from knowing they contributed to person A winning over person B or in being able to choose which programs they watch and when (such as the Foxtel channels with a separate 'my pixs' launchable option), thus generating more interest and more time spent watching and interacting with TV, which in turn benefits the companies providing the interactive service.
All in all the development of interactive TV is, for now, a fairly harmless way of keeping consumers interested in a technology that has not changed much since it was first invented. Though when we look at examples of what the future may hold, such as the clip from the movie Farenheit 451, the concept of interactive TV where the consumer becomes part of the action is a scary thought. Making children get up and be active rather than sitting and staring at a box of pulsing lights is difficult enough in this and past decades - I can't imagine what a fully interactive TV program would mean for a society of consumers who want to be part of the action. We would all turn into watching, listening, staring zombies for the length of a program each day!
4. "What is your overview of the recent movements in Interactive TV?"
Having grown up in a world of technology and particularly in a household of the latest technology (my father is a nerd) I have become rather desensitised to the progression of interactive TV. I have come to expect the changes and advancements in technology and in television as a normal part of everyday life. I definitely enjoy certain aspects of interactive TV and indulge in them often, such as the interactive options on certain Foxtel channels and the voting capabilities that allow the consumer to contribute to the outcome of programs such as "Australian idol" and "so you think you can dance." I see it as an inevitable change as the upcoming techno generations will not be satisfyed with sitting and staring at a screen for very long - games have become more user-friendly and interactive, and TV is not far behind. The consumer can gain a level of satisfaction from knowing they contributed to person A winning over person B or in being able to choose which programs they watch and when (such as the Foxtel channels with a separate 'my pixs' launchable option), thus generating more interest and more time spent watching and interacting with TV, which in turn benefits the companies providing the interactive service.
All in all the development of interactive TV is, for now, a fairly harmless way of keeping consumers interested in a technology that has not changed much since it was first invented. Though when we look at examples of what the future may hold, such as the clip from the movie Farenheit 451, the concept of interactive TV where the consumer becomes part of the action is a scary thought. Making children get up and be active rather than sitting and staring at a box of pulsing lights is difficult enough in this and past decades - I can't imagine what a fully interactive TV program would mean for a society of consumers who want to be part of the action. We would all turn into watching, listening, staring zombies for the length of a program each day!
week 6 Speed Writing
The absurdity I came up with while listening to this weeks track:
Travelling, steam train at the station, as the smoke belches up to make more clouds in an already murky sky. The controller paces the station, as the fancily dressed passengers carefully board the train. The engine flares, the doors close and in a flurry of steam the old trim creaks to life. The controller sweeps onto the train as it pulls away from the platform. A single figure is left standing at the station, as the steam parts and the wind settles, the man all dressed in black paces along the platform. His eyes are shielded by black shades and he walks slowly, mysteriously back through the station. The train is out of sight. The man in black is unseen as he slinks away into the darkness of the muggy station. The patrons don't even seem to notice as the man disappears. What was he doing at the station? Seeing someone off? Waiting or hoping for someone to appear? The station is quiet. The clouds roll in and a mist settles in over the platform, ready to welcome the last train at dusk. Slowly by slowly the minutes tick by on the big station clock, and the man in black waits in the shadows for the coming train. As the light fades from the last rays of sun, the dusk train appears on the horizon: steam belching up through its chimney, the evening sun gleaming off its shiny cabins, passengers sighing as the station is reached safely. The man in black watches and waits: perhaps this will be the train. From the shadows he leers as the final turn of the wheels creak the mighty machine into place alongside the platform. The wind howls, the smoke clears and once again the man in black watches, paces and waits.
Travelling, steam train at the station, as the smoke belches up to make more clouds in an already murky sky. The controller paces the station, as the fancily dressed passengers carefully board the train. The engine flares, the doors close and in a flurry of steam the old trim creaks to life. The controller sweeps onto the train as it pulls away from the platform. A single figure is left standing at the station, as the steam parts and the wind settles, the man all dressed in black paces along the platform. His eyes are shielded by black shades and he walks slowly, mysteriously back through the station. The train is out of sight. The man in black is unseen as he slinks away into the darkness of the muggy station. The patrons don't even seem to notice as the man disappears. What was he doing at the station? Seeing someone off? Waiting or hoping for someone to appear? The station is quiet. The clouds roll in and a mist settles in over the platform, ready to welcome the last train at dusk. Slowly by slowly the minutes tick by on the big station clock, and the man in black waits in the shadows for the coming train. As the light fades from the last rays of sun, the dusk train appears on the horizon: steam belching up through its chimney, the evening sun gleaming off its shiny cabins, passengers sighing as the station is reached safely. The man in black watches and waits: perhaps this will be the train. From the shadows he leers as the final turn of the wheels creak the mighty machine into place alongside the platform. The wind howls, the smoke clears and once again the man in black watches, paces and waits.
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