Monday, 27 October 2008

In todays world the concept of multimedia has dramatically changed. It is the worlds new fuel for inspiration, for change and new opportunities. Gone are the days where video was causing waves by portraying the worlds best imaginations. In the current times video games, blue ray dvds and mobile phones are a few products taking us forward. What they all have in common is that they give us a broader way to interact with each other, to learn and communicate. 

The mobile phone is a product that has changed a great deal in versatility. It's purpose has gone from one of a basic communication object to one of which has multiple technological purposes, such as playing games, searching the web and acting as an MP3 player. For example we all know about the new apple iphone that is build to combine digital media player, phone, and touch screen to replace the keyboard. The phone increased GPRS rates (improved data transmission rates) means that is has changed the rate that our society can communicate therefore businesses can run smoother across oceans. 

Judging from current technologys I can see combined devices being built into the palm of your hand so it can be heat sensitive, motion sensitive (developed from the wii) and controlled by your brainwaves of though.  

The new apple phone has used the latest technology to be one of the first to join amplitude and phase. These two factors joined together mean that we can create more linear products that can transport multiple elements of data at any given time. In everyday terms we can create one multimedia object that can act as a mobile phone, keys (to home, car etc,) internet, games system. The reason why it is hasn't been developed yet is because designers are having trouble making it linear enough. At the moment they are experimenting with making chips that only use part of it at one given time (MPEG4-compressing audio and visual data.)

 In my opinion  I see this object as becoming a form of identification because once you have everything that is key to your life on one device there is no need for chip and pin on your passports or bank cards. Everyone could get a chip on their device that is unique to them and only them. There has already been evidence of this in the current world, for example car keys have began to be designed to include a chip with a unique digital code. The code not only open and closes your car but it enables you to make your car mobile. Consequently I see this technology letting people follow your every footstep (even more than camera systems do) as you will always have that digital code transmitting a signal.

However although there are many benefits of this one device being created such as a greener world (no paper needed etc,) more interactive learning devices to suit every personality/age (it allows shy etc people to socialise even further wherever they are) there are a few downfalls. Recent technology has also developed people analysing signals produced by your keystrokes by measuring the electromagnetic field you produce whilst typing. In the grand scheme of things this means that any information you type could be used against you. 

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