TV
The television, invented in 1926, did not become household items until during the second world war where only the BBC broadcasted programmes and just 3 hours of footage a day could be viewed. By the early 1950s a colour television was developed and introduced however these were rarely seen in houses, and were more often used as public televisions where the public could gather and watch important events take place. However in modern society almost every house in the western world has one; infact 83% of houses in the USA have more than one television set and the average home has more TVs than people. The mass production and popularity of these items have enabled companies to sell sets fast and with varying features so that every family can afford to own one- they can appeal to everyone. Now television can not only be watched at home, but it can be downloaded and watched on your mobile phone, or via your computer; it's accessible everywhere.
The Broadcasters have also benefitted from the growing popularity of Televisions; they charge TV licencing for every household that owns a TV, £145 is the average annual cost of owning one. This goes towards paying for the BBC and other broadcasters (depending on how many views they recieve) and helps the continuation of new programmes and 24 hour broadcasting. Also millions of companies have used this wide spread audience to advertise their products during the commercials between programmes; people pay a large sum of money for a Channel to show their goods, and during extremely popular events that are viewed by millions of people cost a lot more than those showed between less popular shows. For example the cost of advertising during the England vs Portugal European cup semi-final in 2004 that drew in viewers of 15 million of all genders, age and social class in the UK was roughly £100,000 per advert compared to £2000 for offpeak adverts the same day. Broadcasting huge events is a great money maker as companies want to advertise when the most amount of people will be watching to maximise popularity.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/tv-licence-staff-get-complaints-guidance-2102915.html
The television is a great way of connecting people from all around the world; for example large sporting events such as the football world cup and the Olympics can be shown to billions of people all around the world at the same time. Broadcasting has advanced so much that we can see events that are happening halfway across the world at the same time as they are actually occuring; we can see footage from wars we are fighting, images from space and live coverage of political debates. Before televisions were created people would have had to wait days of even weeks to hear of events that were happening in other countries, as the only way of gathering such information was by buying newspapers and by word of mouth. An good example of this was in 1969; when the Apollo mission to the man was conducted all around the way coverage over the eight day journey was shown to the public and the live footage of Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon (4am BST) was broadcasted; before TVs this would never have been possible and people would have required to use their imagination to envision the scene whilst listening possibly to the radio or reading the newspaper.
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/10/07/restored-video-of-moon-landing-released.html
Analog TVs have only 5 channels however there are now hundreds of Digital TV providers all over the UK that offer hundreds of other channels to their customers; these are sometimes foreign or company specific (EG Sky One). This has made viewing television a much more enjoyable experience than it used to be; it can now tailor to everybody's taste and broadcasts all through the day and night so it can be watched at any time. An example of a Digital TV package is Sky; they are the UK's leading digital broadcasters with almost 11 million monthly subscribers. They offer over 700 channels to their customers; a far cry from the 5 channels on analog televisions. Although the UK is currently going through a digital switch over; this means that every household in the UK by 2012 will be required to change to digital television.
http://www.cable.co.uk/news/digital-tv-found-in-93-of-homes-800106386/
Some TVs also have extra features; such as connection to the internet, the ability to download movies, port for iPod connection and programme recording to name a few. TVs have advanced technologically a long way since their creation in the early 20th century and now they can offer things that make our lives a lot easier and more exciting. Sky Plus, for example, gives users the option to pause, play and rewind live TV and record any programmes they may miss or want to watch again, all for a small extra cost a month. This is a great change from when if you wanted to record a show you required a blank tape and a tape recorder, you can now store everything digitally and easily.
Advantages:
The Nintendo Wii is the world's most popular recent games console for a good reason; it's release made it the most unique player interaction on the market. Instead of controllers dictating the player's actions, the user could now physically become involved in the game play. The Wii remote is linked to a sensor that detects movement and signals that imply that buttons have been pressed, this means that cables are not required to connect the remote to the console, and the user is free to move around as they like. The main role of the remotes is for kinetic movement, however there are some buttons that allow us to navigate menus or select images. There are other consoles that can be connected to the main Wii remote (such as the nunchuk) that let us complete different actions that involve both hands and make the games even more interactive.
iPod touch, the latest Apple creation, allows the user to use their fingers to choose options and interact with the device. There is three buttons to feature on the iTouch; a lock, volume control and one button on the face of the device which acts mostly as a 'back' button. The iTouch is a great source of entertainment; you can listen to music, watch videos, access the internet, play games and download apps all on the same iPod. The games are a lot more advanced on the latest version of the iPod as the touch screen allows the user to interact a lot more with the gameplay and become more involved- Apple has made almost $45 million revenue in their app store. Users can buy Apple credit from many popular stores around the country or the debit can be charged directly to the credit card which is linked to your account on installation. There are a wide variety of free and paid apps to choose from; when accessing the store these are arranged in a best selling list and comments from past buyers can be viewed and help base your judgement on purchasing an app.
http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/03/apples_app_store_how_much_is_it.html?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories
Using the positive feedback from their iTouch users, Apple decided to combine this popular idea with that of a mobile phone; creating the iPhone. The latest model (iPhone 4) was released in June 2010 and sold 1.7 million units in the first three days making it the fastest selling mobile phone in the USA of that year so far. It features many extras that are not available on the iPod touch; for examples it has connectivity to the internet at all times, contains two cameras; one rear facing and one on the face of the device. It supports FaceTime- a video calling device in which images projected via either camera can be sent in conjunction with a voice call to another iPhone 4. However there was a lot of controversy regarding the new iPhone 4; and many customers complained of poor signal and how by touching the lower left corner of their phone they would often be disconnected from calls. This was due to an antenna manufacturing problem in the device and Apple, after threats of being sued by thousands of iPhone owners, released free cases for all owners and promised an update to rectify the problem. Despite their superior technological features iPhones are not included in many 'Top Mobile Phone' lists and only 72% of owners claim to be happy with their phone.
http://www.techeye.net/mobile/iphone-4-now-cracking
Advantages:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/tv-licence-staff-get-complaints-guidance-2102915.html
The television is a great way of connecting people from all around the world; for example large sporting events such as the football world cup and the Olympics can be shown to billions of people all around the world at the same time. Broadcasting has advanced so much that we can see events that are happening halfway across the world at the same time as they are actually occuring; we can see footage from wars we are fighting, images from space and live coverage of political debates. Before televisions were created people would have had to wait days of even weeks to hear of events that were happening in other countries, as the only way of gathering such information was by buying newspapers and by word of mouth. An good example of this was in 1969; when the Apollo mission to the man was conducted all around the way coverage over the eight day journey was shown to the public and the live footage of Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon (4am BST) was broadcasted; before TVs this would never have been possible and people would have required to use their imagination to envision the scene whilst listening possibly to the radio or reading the newspaper.
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/10/07/restored-video-of-moon-landing-released.html
Analog TVs have only 5 channels however there are now hundreds of Digital TV providers all over the UK that offer hundreds of other channels to their customers; these are sometimes foreign or company specific (EG Sky One). This has made viewing television a much more enjoyable experience than it used to be; it can now tailor to everybody's taste and broadcasts all through the day and night so it can be watched at any time. An example of a Digital TV package is Sky; they are the UK's leading digital broadcasters with almost 11 million monthly subscribers. They offer over 700 channels to their customers; a far cry from the 5 channels on analog televisions. Although the UK is currently going through a digital switch over; this means that every household in the UK by 2012 will be required to change to digital television.http://www.cable.co.uk/news/digital-tv-found-in-93-of-homes-800106386/
Some TVs also have extra features; such as connection to the internet, the ability to download movies, port for iPod connection and programme recording to name a few. TVs have advanced technologically a long way since their creation in the early 20th century and now they can offer things that make our lives a lot easier and more exciting. Sky Plus, for example, gives users the option to pause, play and rewind live TV and record any programmes they may miss or want to watch again, all for a small extra cost a month. This is a great change from when if you wanted to record a show you required a blank tape and a tape recorder, you can now store everything digitally and easily.
Advantages:
- As they are now so popular, TVs are cheap enough for everyone to own one.
- They offer hundreds of channels that suit to everyone's needs.
- They can broadcast events from across the world. If TVs were not here then we'd never be able to see them live.
- It is a huge source of knowledge and entertainment
- Connects people from across the globe
- Allows us to share news quickly and efficiently all around the world
- Allows you to see live action, such as sports, from the comfort of your own home
Disadvantages:
- Wastes time; you could have spent time doing things more productive
- Children are often accused of watching too much television that could stunt their mental development
- Although it is a source of good information it can also be bad, children could watch things not appropriate for their age group
- Frequent viewing can lead to lack of exercise and mental stimulation
- The cost of digital TV packages, such as Sky, can be enormous.
Games Consoles
In the market today there are a few leading games console brands that have taken the world by storm; millions of households today own a PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS or PSP- or maybe even more than just one. There are thousands of games that are available to purchase for the systems and the possibilities are endless; there are sports games, TV show games, children's educational games- there is enough choice to tailor for everyone. The RPG and graphics of games today is extremely advanced and is almost life like in some games; this is in comparison to the first home games console the Magnavox Odyssey. This console was released in 1972 and less than 30 extremely basic games were available- it sold 330,000 thousand units. The world's leading console today, the Nintendo Wii, in comparison has sold 74 million consoles worldwide.
http://gamerant.com/nintend-wii-retail-sales-aaron-45274/
http://gamerant.com/nintend-wii-retail-sales-aaron-45274/
The Nintendo Wii is the world's most popular recent games console for a good reason; it's release made it the most unique player interaction on the market. Instead of controllers dictating the player's actions, the user could now physically become involved in the game play. The Wii remote is linked to a sensor that detects movement and signals that imply that buttons have been pressed, this means that cables are not required to connect the remote to the console, and the user is free to move around as they like. The main role of the remotes is for kinetic movement, however there are some buttons that allow us to navigate menus or select images. There are other consoles that can be connected to the main Wii remote (such as the nunchuk) that let us complete different actions that involve both hands and make the games even more interactive. The Wii menu on the home page allows you to download channels and arrange them in a particular order in thumbnails that gives you instant access to their features. A popular Wii download in the UK is BBC iPlayer which allows you to access the internet based feature that allows you to watch programmes, podcasts and films that were recently aired on BBC broadcasting systems-effectively bringing TV to your Wii. The Wii also acts as an internet browser as users can connect to the internet and access all it's features once you've configured it to your broadband, allowing for films and music videos to be viewed via the Wii Console. You can also connect and chat with other Wii users around the world via this internet connection, from here you can talk to other gamers to share advice and discuss tactics on various games.
A Wii package is roughly £150; this package has sold almost 75 million units so therefore the estimate revenue from the product was £12 billion. However this is only an estimate as console prices have wavered in the past and does not include money received through Wii extras; such as games, stands, controllers, cases and accessories. The combined profits through all these sales is extortionate and has been Nintendo's best selling item in history.
All games consoles, not just the Wii, have improved the way we can entertain ourselves. It is now seen as a common pastime, by males in particular, to spend hours completing games and adventures on these consoles as a hobby- in particular; COD and Fifa. These games offer hours of game play and hundreds of levels that keep people entertained for hours; they're often seen as challenges to be the first among a group of friends to complete the game or get the best highscores.
Advantages:
- Can play on your own, with friends, or via the internet against people all over the world
- There are a wide variety of the genre of games you can play; from action to educational
- You can take your console to any TV and it will regain your data
- A great way of entertainment- the Wii in particular can be played by several people at once
- Brings people together: “This Christmas, with the help of our celebrity friends, we will be helping the nation play together and have fun whatever their age" Nintendo UK marketing director”
Disadvantages:
- The latest consoles and games are extremely expensive. Also, to keep up to date with all the new accessories would cost a lot.
- Can be addictive, and users may often spend too much time playing games and prioritizing gaming over school/work.
- When played on your own, it's an unsociable pastime
- Less exercise, however in the Wii some degree of physical activity takes place
- Damages eye sight through excessive use
iPods
iPods are the revolutionary mp3s designed by Apple that are the most popular forms of music players in the world. They were first released in 2001 with a 5gb memory that allowed for "1,000 songs in your pocket". They were a lot smaller and better designed than other variables available on the market at that time and deemed extremely popular with the public; since 2004 they have sold over 70% of all types of music players worldwide.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5020659-2.html?tag=subdir
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/14/apple_q4_04_results/
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5020659-2.html?tag=subdir
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/14/apple_q4_04_results/
iPods have advanced entirely since their release in 2001; the Classic Range, Mini, Nano, Shuffle and Touch are all the versions available to the public. However in each section there are often three or four generations of the product, and with each upgrade new features are added and the interface is enhanced tenfold. Once a generation is replaced it's production is ended and it no longer becomes available to the public- this is often disputed by buyers who often wanted to purchase an older, cheaper model but were unable to.
iPod touch, the latest Apple creation, allows the user to use their fingers to choose options and interact with the device. There is three buttons to feature on the iTouch; a lock, volume control and one button on the face of the device which acts mostly as a 'back' button. The iTouch is a great source of entertainment; you can listen to music, watch videos, access the internet, play games and download apps all on the same iPod. The games are a lot more advanced on the latest version of the iPod as the touch screen allows the user to interact a lot more with the gameplay and become more involved- Apple has made almost $45 million revenue in their app store. Users can buy Apple credit from many popular stores around the country or the debit can be charged directly to the credit card which is linked to your account on installation. There are a wide variety of free and paid apps to choose from; when accessing the store these are arranged in a best selling list and comments from past buyers can be viewed and help base your judgement on purchasing an app. http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/03/apples_app_store_how_much_is_it.html?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories
Using the positive feedback from their iTouch users, Apple decided to combine this popular idea with that of a mobile phone; creating the iPhone. The latest model (iPhone 4) was released in June 2010 and sold 1.7 million units in the first three days making it the fastest selling mobile phone in the USA of that year so far. It features many extras that are not available on the iPod touch; for examples it has connectivity to the internet at all times, contains two cameras; one rear facing and one on the face of the device. It supports FaceTime- a video calling device in which images projected via either camera can be sent in conjunction with a voice call to another iPhone 4. However there was a lot of controversy regarding the new iPhone 4; and many customers complained of poor signal and how by touching the lower left corner of their phone they would often be disconnected from calls. This was due to an antenna manufacturing problem in the device and Apple, after threats of being sued by thousands of iPhone owners, released free cases for all owners and promised an update to rectify the problem. Despite their superior technological features iPhones are not included in many 'Top Mobile Phone' lists and only 72% of owners claim to be happy with their phone.
http://www.techeye.net/mobile/iphone-4-now-cracking
Advantages:
- Enormous storage capacity
- Can play videos and music
- Light and small so can be easily carried
- Wi-fi on later versions allow connection to the internet and the ability to access iTunes from your device
- Nice design; including the click wheel on earlier versions and the touch screen on iPod touch's
- Long battery lives
- Great range of apps that can be downloaded for your entertainment
Disadvantages:
- iPods are known to break easily and offer suffer a lot of technological problems the longer you own them
- iTunes is often unresponsive with your device and can lead to all your music being wiped or problems with the songs
- Battery life decreases over time
- Can only play mp3 file formats, not wma- the popular Windows file format
- The cost can be extremely high, especially for iPhones and iTouch and all other latest versions
- If it is not covered with a case quickly, it is scratched pretty badly within a day or two
Internet Based Entertainment
On the Internet the possibilities are endless in regards to entertainment; there are millions of sites that can tailor to anybodies hobbies, needs or simply to cure boredom;
Gaming Sites
There are thousands of these sites on the Web, all hold host to original Flash games in which occupies gamers with hours of gameplay in total. You can play on your own, against friends and often versus players from all the way across the world via the internet connection. The most popular free RPG game on the web is called Runescape; it has 130 million accounts and 10 million active users and is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most popular MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game). Users create a character based on themselves and then go on quests and fight monsters to increase their experience and move up levels on the game. Players can also audio chat or type chat to other players for hints, and you can add users to a virtual friend list so you can see when they're online. The gameplay required to master this game would last you several weeks of non-stop playing and therefore provides the user with large amounts of substance to keep them occupied.
Online Movies:
Almost every film ever created in the last decade or so is available to watch online, either legally or illegally. Legal options include downloading movies for a fee from trusted sites such as Amazon and iTunes which allow the user to virtually 'rent' the film and it is removed from your computer after the agreed number of nights for which it was purchased. You can also buy movies permanently via amazon or iTunes and other trusted sites for a higher price, but it is environmentally and economically better for suppliers who only need to sell the film content and not the packaging. However it is more popular among Internet users to watch movies illegally online; either filmed in the cinema and posted online or once released on DVD the content is streamed onto websites and watched in good condition; 80% of Americans admitted they would rather watch a film illegally than download it correctly.
File Sharing Sites:
These sites, such as FunnyJunk, I Am Bored and Ebaums World allow users to upload funny videos, pictures and other files to share with a whole community of users around the world. A free membership is required to upload content however everyone else can view it for no hassle; and these sites are so popular that they're uploaded frequently meaning that everyday there will always be hundreds of new things to look at.
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