Big Bang of Convergence 430
joNDoty writes "Businessweek is running a story predicting 'This is going to be the most disruptive period in the past 50 years." The period they are talking about is the digital age of convergence, where every software/hardware manufacturer is racing to link cell phones, tvs and computers into universal devices 'that can't be categorized as tech or consumer electronics.' 'The result is a Big Bang of convergence, and it's likely to produce the biggest explosion of innovation since the dawn of the Internet.' Overrated? Perhaps, but +1 insightful nonetheless." Sure, your fridge will tell you you need milk, but convergence is not necessarily a good thing.
Look at Your Remote Controls (Score:5, Informative)
So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:5, Insightful)
This is not the whole story.
I, too, have this remote control and, while it does an adequate job of controlling everything, it does not provide for a "wife proof" interface. To be fair, I should replace "wife proof" with "non-techie proof" or something like that - but I won't.
For example, if I want to watch a DVD, then I have to press:
- TV, power (TV powers on)
- DVD, power (DVD powers on)
- AMP, 8 (which flips the receiver to the DVD input)
But WAIT! The instructions are different if the TV is already on. The complexity is MIND boggling. I will give ALL OF MY MONEY to someone who can fix the problem. And before everyone suggests CURRENT PRODUCTS, don't - because I've tried them all.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes this took years to accomplish.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:5, Informative)
If you read manuals, that is.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:3, Insightful)
His problem is that the sequence changes if you were listening to music because your amp was already on, for example.
Maybe now you started realizing that you didn't answer the problem. If you re-read the post you replied to, that is.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:5, Insightful)
You do realize that there are 32 combinations for these appliances to be on or off. Granted not all of them make sense, let's say just 5. Now you are saying that your solution is to program the transition from every combination to every other combination. That is 25 pre-programmed buttons to just start up or shut down everything.
It'll take longer to figure out which one you want to use than to do it manually.
The real problem is that the command to shut down is the same as the command to power up. If they were separate, there would be no problem at all. Or less.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:3, Insightful)
...and which utterly fails the test of "usability", under any sense of the word. Your idea of a piece of paper is particularly funny. He can simply do that now, with the individual remotes. Unless your argument is that your plan involves a shorter crib-sheet.
The problem is that there is no way for a remote to determine the state of the device it controls, and there is no way for another device to determine the state of another device. That is the problem. Every remote in the world tries to solve the probl
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:3, Insightful)
(I use my AV receiver to do all my audio and video switching. It sounds like you do the same.)
Set up the little #1 button on the top as my 'power all components on' button. Then I learn my AV receiver's 'switch to DVD' buttons to the VL900's 'display' button on the DVD component. (repeat this step for each component, Cable, VCR, CD, etc.) When the wife wants to watch the DVD, just hit the big DVD button on the top and then click 'display' to make it 'come on t
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:5, Funny)
Easy solution...
Get a better, upgraded wife.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:5, Funny)
1. beauty
2. intelligence
3. Geekiness
4. Cooking
5. Cleaning
6. Likes sex
Pick yours, but if you want one with Geekiness built in, you'll have to compromise with a lack of other features.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:5, Informative)
Have you really tried the computer-programmable ones? The philips pronto series (all of 'em) support downloaded IR codes. There are libraries of discrete codes [remotecentral.com] (ie. non toggle, ON means ON) for just about every manufacturer you can think of.
Personally, I use the Pronto Neo. [overstock.com] I like it for many reasons. A fully programmable touchscreen--I created custom graphics for it. I like that it has a decent amount of hard buttons too. Every button (both hard and virtual) can send IR codes, navigate/change "screens", start timers, and remote-specific things (turn on/off the backlight), or have a macro that does many or all of the above. I downloaded discrete codes for all my stuff. The System Off button turns everything off, period.
My wife loves it. She is greeted by simple icons. If she wants to watch TV, she touches the TV picture and then the TV, cable box, and receiver turn on, and she sees the network logos for her favorite channels. There are tabs for other channel logos (including a Kids tab that my kids use), and a tab that leads to a number pad for direct channel input.
If she wants to watch a DVD, it's similar. Push the DVD logo, push the "play" button. Which, by the way, slowly dims the lights down to 10% thanks to this [homeautomationnet.com] and IR codes that I downloaded for it. The pause button ramps the lights up to 50% (for bathroom breaks).
Another little trick, I use the above IR-to-X10 gateway to turn on my PS/2 when someone touches the Game icon, thanks to an appliance module [homeautomationnet.com]. Otherwise, it would be a pain becuase the PS/2 has a hard power switch on the back, and I have it mounted in a built-in cabinet with no room to reach behind it.
I also have a Music tab, which has buttons labeled "Jazz", "Ambient", etc. so you can turn on music without having to know what digital cable channel they're on. And, I don't even have to open the cabinets to turn all this stuff on or off, thanks to an IR repeater I have tucked in the surrounding bookshelves.
The complexity is MIND boggling. I will give ALL OF MY MONEY to someone who can fix the problem.
My 6-year old can fully operate my setup. If there's something specific you'd want to do with your setup, let me know and I'll tell you how to do it with the Pronto Neo (or the more expensive Prontos). No need to give me all your money.
I can provide screen shots of my setup if you want.
Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Look at Your Remote Controls (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, that's a good idea! (Score:3, Interesting)
'nuff said.
Re:Look at Your Remote Controls (Score:4, Insightful)
Which leads me to my main point - convergence of devices that I use on a regular basis will be a bad idea.
I want a small phone (I keep it with me everywhere). I want a big computer screen and a keyboard that's big enough to type fast on. I want a PDA that can integrate with my other computers, but allows me to use the stylus. I want a digital camera that I can take decent photos with for prints or posting on the web.
Am I asking too much? Look at all the products out there designed to address exactly what I listed above, and not only are they way more expensive than I would ever pay.... but they fail to do any of the things I described, at least to the extent that I want them there.
Simplicity = usability
Re:Look at Your Remote Controls (Score:3, Insightful)
That's a good example of how the hype over convergence is jumping the gun. We can't even solve the remote control problem. Everyone has a solution, but each solution brings with it more problems.
Over the next few years, companies will brag about convergence for stockholder support. But under the covers they will just be cramming two unr
Re:Look at Your Remote Controls (Score:3, Insightful)
What they don't mention is that some kind of serious standards are going to have to be put in place for this convergence to get off the ground. I'm tired of seeing multiple Cell Towers next to each other because the damn companies can't agree on a standard.
Deja Vu? (Score:2)
Actually...Convergence happened ALREADY (Score:5, Insightful)
You name it, various kinds of convergence is happening today, all over the place. Who knows what's gonna happen next.
Re:Actually...Convergence happened ALREADY (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes, they both play DVDs and CDs, but I hardly know anybody who use them that way because the value just isn't there, at least in this generation. The DVD playback kits for Xbox and PS2 cost $30. You get a remote control, infrared dongle, and the DVD decoder. Back when DVD players cost $200-300 it may have been worth it, but now you can get a cheap DVD player for $40, maybe even $30. Price points as much as featur
I agree. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I agree. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I agree. (Score:3, Funny)
Linking (Score:4, Funny)
Please don't converge my fridge (Score:5, Funny)
Inevitable outcome... (Score:3, Insightful)
My thoughts. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:My thoughts. (Score:5, Insightful)
Hard to imagine a more general purpose tool than a PC.
Re:My thoughts. (Score:3, Interesting)
I don't know about using a PC to keep toast warm, but I routinely use my PC's monitor to soften butter for use in baking. It's slower and far more controllable than the microwave.
Re:My thoughts. (Score:3, Insightful)
So you don't want to fix the problem. Nobody's going to take away your rheostats and coil springs...what are you worried about?
Me, I think it would be convenient to have a database of the contents of my fridge and pantry that I can match against my recipe database, and build my grocery list according to what's missing.
That might not be convenient to you. I encourage you to no
Re:My thoughts. (Score:3, Insightful)
Likewise, I used to carry a PDA. Kept me organized. Phone numbers? Now those are in my cell phone. Schedule? In my phone. Alar
Re:My thoughts. (Score:3, Interesting)
It won't be long before the only difference between an answering machine and a PVR is what the connectors are (optionally send recorded data, record data, replay data). It also won't be long before the connectors are the same, too (802.11 or ethernet, TCP/IP).
The products which succeed wi
There's always the next big thing (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:There's always the next big thing (Score:2, Informative)
They been saying this, what, 3 years now?
Three years? Really? Well what do you know [winnetmag.com]? You're right!
Now if you want a better example of digital convergence gone bad than the N-GAGE, check here [crq.com].
bah (Score:5, Insightful)
Maybe it's like the metric system, and soccer in America*. It's the wave of the future, and always will be.
* maybe not. US Soccer is #8 in the world now, ahead of Germany!
Re:bah (Score:5, Funny)
Re:bah (Score:3, Insightful)
Even when we don't care about something (like soccer) we're still pretty damn good at it.
That has a lot to do with firstly sheer size (300,000,000 people, about the third most populous country in the world, with more than three times the population of e.g. Germany) and secondly, plenty of resources (e.g. widespread access to equipment and facilities - virtually anyone interested in a sport will with a little effort be able to find somewhere to play, equipment to play with, people to practice against, and
Re:bah (Score:2)
When the moon is in the seventh house
and Jupiter aligns with Mars...
"The age of con-verg-i-ance!"
Hmmm...
<grrr>
all for convergence (Score:5, Insightful)
e.
Re:all for convergence (Score:2)
[cynical] There's no otherwise about it. Adding DRM to your toaster is what this is all about. There will absolutely not be any innovation involved. Any innovative uses of (or the mere existence of) devices that universally talk to each other will be killed with prejudice by a storm of lawsuits. [/cynical]
just have to roll up my sleeves and do it myself
[extra-cynical] No, I'm afraid that will be illegal too. [/extra-cynical]
Re:all for convergence (Score:3, Insightful)
Now a computer is a "media theft acceleration device", primarily useful (as far as the
Digital Convergence? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Digital Convergence? (Score:2)
Not that I would have ever used it anyway.
Viriiii (Score:3, Funny)
I should go into business selling whole-home anti-virus licenses. Good for 10 communicating devices per license. Renewable monthly.
-Kelt
Re:Viriiii (Score:3, Funny)
I would be happy with antibacteria for the fridge. I'd never have to worry about those "mystery" packages ever again.
Slackjawed Marketers... (Score:2)
Think Infinite Jest.
Re:Slackjawed Marketers... (Score:3, Funny)
Maybe now we can keep those AMD chips cool.
FOOLS! (Score:5, Funny)
Big Bang of Convergence eh? (Score:2)
I can't wait for my refrigerator to have a toaster, speakerphone, tv, and real doll embedded in the doors.
Who pays these people to make blanket statements like this. What do I have to do to get a job like that? I can get a Harvard Diploma online for $10, kk?
Call me old fashioned if you want, but... (Score:3, Insightful)
We just put a replacement radio in my wife's car, a '93, and instead of knobs and a few large buttons there are these tiny little buttons that I can't read the labels for without a magnifying glass. WTF is that? Certainly, it's far from user friendly. So instead of just reaching over to change the station, or even to turn the danged thing off, by simply turning a reasonable size knob, I have to keep punching tiny buttons until it does what I want. Yeah, I eventually am learning which is which, but that's not my point. And you think talking on a cell phone is distracting... HA!
IMHO too much convergence is likely to be too much of a possible good thing.
Make a product that does its intended main function and does it well.
If I want the best knife or the best scissors, I don't get a Swiss Army knife.
"Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain
Re:Call me old fashioned if you want, but... (Score:2)
Re:Call me old fashioned if you want, but... (Score:3, Insightful)
There are well designed multi-function devices and poorly designed multi-function devices. That doesn't mean the entire concept is silly. (Or smart.)
That's just a design issue. (Score:2)
Re:Call me old fashioned if you want, but... (Score:3, Insightful)
Universal Cell phone/TV/Computer? (Score:2, Insightful)
i believe it (Score:2, Insightful)
this won't go corporate, because enough people at major companies will realize the w
Bang! 20 dollars, please. (Score:3, Insightful)
This has been predicted for a long time (Score:2)
Synapse? (Score:5, Funny)
No, thanks (Score:5, Funny)
My VCR watches TV for me when I'm not there, my oven can cook dinner for me when I'm not there, and my checking account can pay bills automatically if I'm not there. With all this convergence, will my possessions need me anymore?
Re:No, thanks (Score:2)
Convergence is about negating the customer? (Score:3, Insightful)
Convergence could be a buzzword for businesses coordinating with each other on products; the coordination allows them to get what they want from their customers (money, information) while at the same time using the power that their cooperation gives them to ignore what
Too 'low-tech' (Score:5, Interesting)
This is way too low-tech.
What your fridge should tell you is:
'Hey dude, I know you're thinking of buying milk today, but I just read an article online about a bad shipment of milk to stores in this area, so I'd hold off a day or two until there's more details. I'll tell you when it's safe again, OK?
'Oh - and of course I tested the milk you still have inside me, and that's OK to drink. Just don't buy any more until I say so.'
THAT is hi-tech. That is convergence.
Re:Too 'low-tech' (Score:2)
To add on... (Score:2)
Re:Too 'low-tech' (Score:5, Insightful)
And that's hard. It's a lot harder than creating a new buzzword. It's even harder than building a product that connects to other products.
Sorry, but I say overrated. (Score:3, Insightful)
For example, I prefer using a desktop for real work like long sessions of typing or video editing. The larger screen real estate, better price and more power mean that I'm better off with a desktop; and I think most people feel that way. Likewise, I don't want to use that monitor as a TV because it's too small; the hard drive in that computer is too small to store uncompressed DVDs, which are better left on desk to be played in the large-screen TV upstairs. I want a portable device to play music, and the key factor for that device is size, followed closely by battery life and ease-of-use -- and such a device, so useful for music, would be worthless for movies.
My point is that convergence isn't here today, and I doubt it will be in the near future. The hurdles may eventually be overcome, but I suspect convergence might be like flying cars or cheap, easy nuclear power: perpetually five or ten years down the line.
Great... now my toaster will spam me too (Score:4, Funny)
They've discovered the magic of the microprocessor (Score:3, Interesting)
Given such a generalized processor, we do away with the need to manufacture dedicated electronic hardware - and provide the functionality in specialized software which instructs the general-purpose microprocessor to perform a specific task. This is cheaper since software is easily reproduced/copied at a minimal cost.
A capable generic microprocessor can perform the functions of most electronic devices (calculations, DSP, gaming device, prototyping etc) as long as software/peripherals is available for it. No wonder then that we're seeing electronic companies jumping on the idea of writing firm/software for generic microprocessors in an effort to expand their range of products at reduce costs.
I predict that in a few years, we will have a single cheap generic microprocessor which will be found in most (or all) consumer electronic devices. Electronic companies will be largely reduced to software companies dedicated to writing software instead.
Yes, but... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
Not to be insensitive, but your grandmother is going to die. Meanwhile the children being born today are growing up with the technology and will have no trouble using it. At two years old (he's four now), my son could put the tape in the VCR (even looks to make sure there's not one in already and ejects it if there is), switch the TV to Video, press play, and fast forward through the previews with no help from me. He's already proficient on a PC, even understands the difference between single and double-click and knows to wait when the hourglass comes up. Again, no offense, but my son could probably kick your grandmother's ass on a computer. Your grandmother is not the market for these devices. My son is.
Re:Yes, but... (Score:3, Insightful)
Beowulf cluser of playback devices? (Score:3, Insightful)
Thanks but no thanks.
Having one home display device makes sense. (Score:5, Insightful)
It saves complication and cost. It's just good engineering to simplify the system by reducing redundency to the optimum (not necessarily the minimum).
Having your toaster call up a website to find out how far up it should turn the rheostat, phone your mom to let her know you're actually eating a good breakfast, tell you the next chess move in that game with your buddy and then starting your car does not reduce complication and cost.
It is a poor solution.
There's nothing wrong with convergence, so long as the convergence makes inherent sense.
KFG
Just imagine a date coming into your place... (Score:3, Funny)
"Problems down there? TRY CIALIS!"
Or you go to the kitchen to get something to drink...
"We've got the largest selection of dolls!"
Like I'd want any of my appliances trying to sell me penis enlargement pills.
Bring Back Teledildonics! (Score:2)
The most successful convergence device in recent history remains the clock-radio.
Convergence? Yes!! (Score:3, Funny)
Apple (Score:3, Insightful)
Sounds like a Ray Bradbury story (Score:2)
Downside of convergence (Score:3, Insightful)
Another problem is that a converged product may make you sacrifice performance in one area for performance in another. For example (made up, of course) a monitor/television/CD/DVD player combination might have the best visual clarity, but be so-so at reading DVDs and skip a lot -- while a competing product might play DVDs flawlessly, but max out at 800x680 resolution. The more converged products become, the less choice we consumers have to maximize the quality and/or minimize our cost.
Re:Downside of convergence (Score:3, Insightful)
Oh no they haven't forgotten. But if they give you one device that works perfectly well for the one need you have, they can't sell you another one a year from now.
What next? (Score:2)
Convergence? (Score:3, Insightful)
How converging something useful?
I don't need a pinhole camera that makes crappy sounding phone calls and plays mp3's.
If it's the age of convergence ... (Score:3, Insightful)
... then shouldn't it be a "Big Crunch" [wikipedia.org] instead of a "Big Bang"?
I'm about as enthusiastic about merging my cellphone and refrigerator with my PDA and electric blanket as I am about living through the Big Crunch, so maybe it's an appropriate name, too...
Rewriting History (Score:5, Informative)
The quantity of historical revisionism in what passes for business journalism never ceases to amaze me. Goebbels would be proud!
Archos was first company to market with a hard drive-based mp3 player in late 2000, although Compaq had a prototype device in early 2000 that they failed to market. There was even an open-source project to build a "High Capacity MP3 Player [pjrc.com]" in 2000 that quickly advanced to using hard drives.
The Ironing is Delicous (Score:3, Insightful)
The result is a Big Bang of convergence...
Does anyone else find this statement just a wee bit contradictory? Isn't the "Big Bang" metaphor traditionally reserved for describing phenomena of divergence? Maybe it would be more appropriate to call it a "Big Crunch [wikipedia.org] of convergence".
Just a thought...
I don't need milk! (Score:3, Funny)
I'm going to be pissed if I can't program in vegan options. I don't need my fridge trying to puch animal products on me.
FRIDGE: "Your soy milk is past due Dave. It is time to buy milk."
ME: "Shut the hell up and open the damn pod bay door!"
Urban commando phone (Score:3, Interesting)
I reach for my hip, call the house (50 feet away) and tell one of the kids to change out the laundry.
However, there are a few itches that, if scratched, would make my phone ohhh so much more utilitarian.
I could care less about downloadable ring tones, and the crappy resolution in most picture-phones leaves alot to be desired.
I'm picturing the ultimate in day-to-day utility.
I call it: the "Urban Commando Phone"
OK, picture this:
Your ordinary, average-looking cell phone, containing:
1) A cell phone - very stock, very ordinary. Clips to your belt like any decent cell phone should.
2) A flashlight - using a single, blue-white LED bulb on one of the top corners, you have an instant, usable, but not particularly bright flashlight. Help you find your keys, whatever. Why hasn't anybody thought of this no-brainer?
3) A universal remote control. You have all those buttons on your cell phone, you have plenty of battery life, why not a trainable universal remote control? Best part - if you lose it, you can just call it with another phone!
Convergence? how about divergence (Score:3, Insightful)
I know you can do all these things now, but not without a bunch of proprietary, unpredictable fiddling even if the right devices are involved. I want the ability to be common, not a rare combination. If converagnce means all my gadgets have the computing power to speak the same language, then Let's do it!
Oh, this is just wonderful... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Convergence (Score:2)
Not compared to other products, cars for instance. If you want to reduce wastage, the logical thing is to start with the biggest offender. If cars were built to last longer, if manufacturers wouldn't insist on changing styles to make people buy new models, the resulting economy in materials would be much more than is used in common electronics.
Re:Convergence (Score:5, Funny)
*cough* Apple *cough*
go'head kill me.
Re:Convergence (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Convergence (Score:3, Interesting)
*cough* Apple *cough*
go'head kill me
Well... for starters... if your 5 year old walkman constantly skipped tracks, or your rollerblades wheels tended to fall off from time to time, you would probably replace them.
Kinda like my old Windows PC... When OS X came out... I
Re:Riiight (Score:2)
Re:Riiight (Score:3, Informative)
The term was coined by economist Alfred Sauvy in an article in the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur of August 14, 1952. It was a deliberate reference to the "Third Estate" of the French Revolution. Tiers monde means third world in French. The term gained widespread popularity during the Cold War when many poorer nations adopted the category to describe themselves as neither being aligned with NATO or the USSR, but instead composing a non-aligned "third world."
Leading members of t
Re:Riiight (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)