Big Bang of Convergence

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.

I agree.

[LilGuy]

When your toaster tells you that you've got 2 potential e-harmony dates, and your fridge won't shut up about your lousy tv dinner diet, it will be time to move to the mountains.

Linking

[isd_glory]

Linking link cell phones, tvs and computers would be nice... if they could link it with a frickin' flying car already

Please don't converge my fridge

[Wesley Felter]

I fear the 3l33t snax0rz [aarnet.edu.au].

Re:Look at Your Remote Controls

[tha_mink]

Convergence though, kinda sweet. You can turn on your heated driveway from the comfort of your toilet remote control. That, my friend, is progress.

Digital Convergence?

[norculf]

I still have my ::CueCat.

Viriiii

[Kelt]

I want to see the first person selling Anti-Virus for a refridgerator or reciever.

I should go into business selling whole-home anti-virus licenses. Good for 10 communicating devices per license. Renewable monthly.

-Kelt

FOOLS!

[Griim]

Doesn't anyone remember what happened last time when the Cylons attacked, and all of our computer systems were linked together?

Re:I agree.

[captainClassLoader]

"...Julie? Hey, I'm real sorry about last night. My toaster went up in flames with an overdone Pop-Tart(tm), and so I never got your email..."

Synapse?

[SphericalCrusher]

It's already been created! Just go download the source code from skullbocks.com!

No, thanks

[Rick the Red]

I don't need my refridgerator telling me that I need milk -- I can see for myself when I use the milk. And the last thing I need is my refridgerator telling Safeway.com that I need milk and scheduling a delivery when I'm on vacation.

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:Slackjawed Marketers...

[YrWrstNtmr]

your refrigerator/render-farm.

Maybe now we can keep those AMD chips cool.

Re:bah

[Derkec]

Sorry, but as of Jun 4th, we're 9th in the world. A single point behind Germany. That's one of the things that pisses the world off about us. Even when we don't care about something (like soccer) we're still pretty damn good at it.

Re:Convergence

[tha_mink]

The problem you are referring to is fashion. I have no problem using a 5 year old walkman. I have no problem wearing non-faggy rollerblades from 1997. But most people just buy things based on look. They don't even know how to use them.

*cough* Apple *cough*

go'head kill me.

Re:Viriiii

[Ctrl-Z]

I want to see the first person selling Anti-Virus for a refridgerator or reciever.

I would be happy with antibacteria for the fridge. I'd never have to worry about those "mystery" packages ever again.

Great... now my toaster will spam me too

[HighOrbit]

"Your Bagle is ready. Would you like to see an add about Philly Cream Cheese?"

Just imagine a date coming into your place...

[sexylicious]

You turn on the TV to watch a movie...
"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.

Convergence? Yes!!

[AltGrendel]

Then we can all be individuals in the same way!

Re:Convergence

[Rude Turnip]

OK, I'll bite...my 12" iBook is tiny, tough and responsive. Apple's integration of the OS and hardware make it feel like I'm using a "tangible device" (ie a stereo, refrigerator, fax machine, copier), rather than using an abstracted operating system doing a balancing act on top of hardware.

Re:bah

[Anonymous Coward]

Even when we don't care about something (like soccer) we're still pretty damn good at it.

You call ninth place "pretty damn good"? And how does it feel being fifth [champcarworldseries.com] in your own country's car racing championship? Or do you consider the leading country, Canada, part of the USA?

Re:I agree.

[malok2]

bread as display device [theregister.co.uk]

I don't need milk!

[Barlo_Mung_42]

"Sure, your fridge will tell you you need milk..."

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!"

Re:Actually...Convergence happened ALREADY

[Thud457]

I like 1980's guy. I think we should see more of him.

My fridge is wrong.

[Anonymous Coward]

Sure, my fridge might tell me I need more milk, but it's wrong. I know I'm not out of milk, because I've had the same carton sitting there for a good 5 months, now.

Strangely enough, I've stopped recieving email telling me I'm out of cheese.

Re:So Sorry- I've only got one.

[CreatureComfort]

Easy solution...

Get a better, upgraded wife.

Re:So Sorry- I've only got one.

[Pieroxy]

Problem is a wife has only three slots for three features:

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.

Oh, this is just wonderful...

[JRHelgeson]

So, I open my web browser at work, log into my refrigerator at home only to hear it say: "You've got Mold!"

...Sorry

Re:So Sorry- I've only got one.

[Anonymous Coward]

I will give ALL OF MY MONEY to someone who can fix the problem.

Easy. Send me your wife.
Have her bring the money.

It's the money, silly.

[Texas Consultant]

Convergence is one half of the cycle of inventing many new trivial gadgets and then consolidating them, ensuring there's something we all just must buy every year. The result is an endless cash supply and burgeoning landfill...

Re:So Sorry- I've only got one.

[Anonymous Coward]

Problem is a wife has only three slots for three features:

My wife only has one slot, but there are two alternative ports. Not all wives have ports that are compatible.

Re:So Sorry- I've only got one.

[Anonymous Coward]

Get two - then you can have all those features. Might be difficult to decide which gets which though.