Advancing technology opens door for creative ways to retrieve news

The expansion of the Web allows for new technology

One-layered methods of collecting data have become a thing of the past. The digital media revolution has expanded in such a way that has enabled various sources and methods to obtain information. Current trends have shown an upgrade in all things “Web”. The recent 2.0 format is gradually being replaced with the 3.0 layout, which is essentially an extension of already existing techniques. The vast differences are seen in the technology and features associated with this new design. 3.0 allows for a faster, smoother, more effective means of gathering and sharing information. Ever-developing smart systems are enabling sites to become increasingly interactive. Sites now customize and personalize the needs and wants of the users and link different individuals with their interests. This results in an increase in the amount of data that services provide. The systems also enable users to share and update new information.

Businesses have benefited greatly from the 3.0 model and continue to use digital media as source for reaching consumers. Company information is distributed via integrated media (the web, television, and mobile devices. They can now “advertise by format” and deign campaigns that are compatible to today’s Smart technology devices (i.e. I-pads). A business’ number one priority should always be to the company in a way that is relatable to today’s consumers.

Expansion in media changes the way we view news

The 3.0 model gives way to innovative methods of viewing world news. According to the Pew Research Center’s Internet, the American Life Project and the Project for Excellence in Journalism, the Internet is now a more popular source for news, versus print newspapers and the radio. That makes online news third most popular news platform overall, coming close behind only national and local television news. Trends show, however, that consumers retrieve their information through a variety of sources:

• Nearly 60% of Americans get daily news from both Internet and print sources.
• 46% obtained news from four to six media platforms per day, while only 7% get news from a single platform.
• 33% of cell phone owners access news on their portable phones.
• 28% of Internet users have a homepage personalized with news sources, and 37% have participated in news creation, commentary and dissemination.

Cellular news moves to the top of the pack:

As discussed in previous lectures, there has been a progressive increase in cell phones usage as a mass medium. The number of cell phones already exceeds the world’s population and it is predicted that the world will have 10 billion mobile devices in 2016. Cell phones are beginning to enter heavily in the news market. A new app entitled Unfold News Reader (which currently serves Androids and Tablets), uses RSS feeds to categorize and organize a user’s favorite news links. In addition, the Reader resizes text/font to best suit the viewer and favorites sites and links that they want to refer back to at a later time. It also linked directly to social networking sites and email service providers for fast and efficient ways of sharing news.

Mixed Feelings about news retrieval:

Although most readers have succumbed to the technological revolution (for only 7% of Americans get their news daily from one place), many are still wary about receiving news from various sources. They find the data to be overwhelming when not in print form. They also fear that sources other then print contain the potential for bias or inaccuracy.

IS HD Really The Clear Choice?

          One trending topic in the controversies surrounding our technologically engaged society is Television. What started out as a small box playing white and black pictures, has transformed into a screen projecting color, clarity, and moving images. Over the years, TVs have grown tremendously and consumers are now presented with a plethora of models to choose from. Popular now is the ever-growing HDTV, which has been proven to display clearer and sharper imagery. Although this phenomenon has clearly shaken up the television market, some buyers still have trouble parting from their standard definition television sets. They just aren’t sold on the idea of paying a significant amount more, just for a “better” picture. Exploring the true differences between Standard Definition Television (SDTV) and High Definition Television (HDTV) may help to clear up some of the confusion and doubt.

Televisions are compared by the amount of pixels that their screens contain. Pixels, defined as tiny dots that are constantly changing in color, combine to form the images that consumers see on the screen. Each television screen contains thousands of these microscopic squares. The phrases “standard definition” and “high definition” simply refer to the number of pixels present and how they are projected on to the screen.

Standard definition televisions can contain a maximum of 480i, which, when simply put, means that it contains 480 horizontal lines made up of pixels. The “i” is short for interlaced, which describes the action of the pixel. Interlaced pixels quickly switch back and forth between one half of a pixel line to another. Because they are so minute, the image seen on screen seems to be full and whole. In actuality, these interlaced pixels create a flicker effect, which is sometimes noticed in older TV models. As time passes and technology progresses, 480i is being considered low quality television. Even so, many consumers continue to be avid buyers and watchers of SDTV. I would assume that that is due in large part to comfort, fear of change, and lower prices.

High definition televisions can contain a maximum of 1080p, which is more than twice the amount of horizontal pixels lines than SDTV. There also vertical lines that are distributed across the screen. The “p” means progressive, which indicates that the pixel lines are all broadcasted simultaneously. This prevents the screen from having anything resembling a flicker. The increased pixel count in HDTVs creates a high resolution, which in turn gives off a life-like image that is clearer and sharper.

The difference is clear

This enhanced image is in large part related to the signal. SD televisions contains waves that are similar to that of analog signals, in the sense that they occupy the entire screen. HD televisions use digital signals, which have been proven to be more effective at coding data than traditional analog-like signals. Instead of filling up the entire screen, HDTVs compress the picture on the screen and create a movie-theater-like effect. This difference in shape may cause a SDTV user to think that the HDTV is distorted. In reality, the image just looks different because of its shape.

Before shopping for next TV, whether Standard or HD, there are some important things to note. First, screen size and pixel count are not at all related. A bigger TV will not produce a better resolution. Resolution is an aspect of the television that deals solely with technology. That is why larger SDTVs still do not have as clear of an image as smaller HDTVs. In addition, HDTVs can only work properly when broadcast by corresponding channels. If a channel is not being broadcast in HD, the picture will appear in SD, even on an HD television. The channels and the TV must go hand in hand to work effectively. The drawbacks are the extra fees associated with HD channels and the fact that there is still only a handful available. That should change as the HD market continues to boom. It is only a matter of time before HD is most basic type of TV offered. I predict that it will follow the same pattern as the recent mandating of cable television for all TV viewers.

This Mass(ive) Thing We Call Media

Mass media, in short, is the simultaneous spreading of information to the masses, via various types of media. Examples include print (newspapers, books, and magazines) and electronic (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, streaming videos). It is currently one of the leading sources for information distribution.  Many consider it a “double edged sword” because it comes with a host of both helpful and harmful side effects. Regardless of personal opinion, it is safe to say that the introduction of mass media has knowingly shaped our society and will continue to mold it into a high-speed, information-based whirl wind.

The advantages of mass media are significant and it is important to highlight the positive impact that it continues to have in our everyday lives. Its existence allows the spread of news, sometimes vital, to people all around the world. It breaks down a barrier and creates a link that otherwise may not have been there. Suddenly, with one click of a button, whether it is to activate the printer or submit a tweet, different countries and cultures are able to access, review, and process the exact same information; information that could tell of hardships, announce a cry for help or simply boast of the most recent economic accomplishment. In addition, this constant spreading of ideas makes for great marketing. Many of today’s biggest companies continue to use electronic media for campaign ads and business promotion.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that supports a pro-media society, many argue that the harmful effects are drastic and sometimes irreversible. There are of course issues surrounding privacy invasion, word inaccuracy, and falsified or exaggerated information. One of the most alarming concerns is control. As the old saying goes: “With great power comes great responsibility” and putting too much power into the wrong hands can be detrimental. It is extremely easy for words to get twisted and for meanings to get mangled. It is imperative that ideas are reported accurately and that feelings and opinions are not exploited.

Regardless of how an individual feels about the matter, they, as we all do, possess the responsibility of practicing self-censorship. It is the first step in assuring that information is portrayed accurately. In doing so we, the youth in particular, can convince the world that the problem is not information overload, but filter failure. Filter failure has produced results ranging from law suits to cyber-bullying and suicides. Too much control is being given to individuals and they are misusing their powers. Just look at how easy it is to change something in Wikipedia or to receive a message from someone on Facebook, who isn't even a confirmed friend. This issue is fixable, however, and hopefully future government regulations and stricter social media privacy settings can help to resolve it. Until then, we need to do our part in assuring that mass media, specifically electronic, remains honest, humane, and, credible. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/Mass-media.html