This chapter focuses on the way communications technologies have come together to facilitate wider, more integrated methods for the distribution of information. Barrâ€™s theory of convergence is straightforward and points out how the blurring of these technologies is reconstituting our lives. His examination of the driving force behind convergence rests on the concept of the information society and he concurs that it is centred on knowledge and information networks, products and services. Furthering this, his informative account reveals that the ubiquitous demand for information will only further push the information technology, media and telecommunications industries to cross-pollinate, enabling them to deliver the required information in a more accessible, convenient and richer manner.

CBC Radio-Canada (2004) â€œPerrin Beatty: Coping with Convergence: Social and Cultural Change in the Age of Digital Technology,â€? retrieved August 9, 2004, from http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/htmen/speeches/19980320.htm

The concepts and substantiation that Perrin Beatty presents in his speech is of eminent value. His speech correlates that the direction that evolving technology undertakes is a result of the synergy between the scientific, economic, political and cultural elements. Furthering this, his address rests on the theory that technological developments do not take place in a â€œsocial and historical vacuumâ€?; but rather they occur at a specific time in human development. His view is proficient in that he looks at both aspects of the key issues. Furthermore Beatty outlines that the transforming mobile technology is affecting people far more rapidly than what they realise. Conversely, Beatty imparts that â€œhuman beings are at once technology's creators and its creaturesâ€? in that we shape technology, and we are shaped by technology.

Devey, S. (2003) â€œConvergence Of Mobile And Fixed Technologies,â€? paper written for the Commission For Communications Regulation, retrieved August 2, 2004, from http://www.comreg.ie/_fileupload/publications/ComReg0313.pdf

This Consultation paper focuses on the extensive uptake that the 3G phones have generated. It has relevant statistics, which far exceed those previously produced from common landlines or ordinary mobile phones. This paper presents a perceptive report on the remarkable change that 3G phones have had as they point out that many people rely more heavily on their new mobile phones than what they do their traditional mobiles or landlines. And as such, are depending on the various services that accompany the new mobiles to aid them in their daily lives.

Cunningham, S. and Turner, G. (2002) The Media and Communications in Australia, Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin, ISBN 1865086746.

This books concentration is on the media as the central core to the experience of living. Cunningham and Turner through their explanation of new technology convergence and its social impacts, convey throughout that people find their sense of self and the social and cultural context in which they live embedded in their access to and use of various media technologies. Furthering this, their account sheds light on the interactivity of the new media technology, enabling the user to be both a consumer and producer. Their elucidation is paramount in revealing the importance and pervasiveness of the media in peopleâ€™s lives.

Dryer, D. (1999) â€œPervasive Computing,â€? IBM Systems Journal, vol.38, no.4, retrieved August 8, 2004, from http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj/384/dryer.html

This website is rich in its content. The research that IBM conducted provides a learned and perceptive understanding of the advent of pervasive systems. Throughout this report, IBM identifies that mobile computers and computerised phones play a key role in our social lives. Through the design of the systems, they investigate the issues of this new media technology and how it can promote or hinder social relationships. IBMâ€™s detailed analysis is based on four kinds of social relationships: a relationship with the system, system-mediated collaborative relationships, relationships with a community, and interpersonal relationships among co-located persons. The aim of their thorough research is to suggest a representation of how pervasive systems can manipulate human behaviour, social provenance, and communication outcomes.

Geser, Hans. (2004) Towards a Sociological Theory of the Mobile Phone, retrieved August 2, 2004, from http://socio.ch/mobile/t_geser1.htm

Geserâ€™s detailed research documents the development of the mounting technological abilities of the mobile phone. His account rests on the significance of the mobile phone in empowering people to engage in communication, which is at the same time free from the constraints of physical proximity and spatial immobility. Throughout, his composition calculates that the multi-media mobile technology will lead to fundamental transformations in the individualâ€™s perceptions of self and the world, and consequently the way they collectively construct that world. Furthermore, the work of Geiser formulates that there will be vast social implication from the technologies specific functional capacities to facilitate or inhibit various modes of social behavior, interactions and relationships, and to create new environmental conditions under which conventional social systems have to operate.

Gorman, L. and McLean, D. (2003) Media and Society in the Twentieth Century: A Historical Introduction, Melbourne, Victoria: Blackwell Publishers, ISBN 0631222359.

This book presents a historical introduction to media and society in the twentieth century. Gorman and McLean present an intellectual perspective into the emergent and developing issues of the new media. In particular, their documentation of the key advances and flaws associated with and developing from the emergence of the new media is insightful and resonant. Furthermore, the authors make use of historical and comparative perspectives, accentuating the enormity of new media and how it generates social change. Moreover, this account is comprehensive in its point of view as Gorman and McLean distinguish not only the incursion of mobile technology, but also its benefits in facilitating the user to make the most out of their day whilst keeping in touch.

Hartley, J. (2004) Communication, Cultural and Media Studies: The Key Concepts, London: Routledge, ISBN 0415268893.

This chapter provides a learned definition of an important key word â€œconvergenceâ€? in the chosen research topic. Hartley is thorough in his explanation, drawing on relevant case studies to convey the impact that convergence has had on the communications industries of media, telecommunications and information technology as well as the government. He identifies that convergence creates possibilities for these industries to target niche markets and that it has come about by the demand of the consumer.

Liens, E. (2003) Introduction to Multimedia, retrieved August 2, 2004, from http://www.cs.vu.nl/~eliens/media/@text-1.pdf

This Academic Electronic Journal examines digitisation through the study of the current trends in the delivery of multimedia information, and explores from a commercial perspective, the impact of the digital revolution. It delves into the digitisation of a number of technologies, with a prime focus on the potential of mobile multimedia. This journal makes reference to the current concept of our culture being one of an information society. Furthering this it examines how large-scale conglomerates are targeting their businesses to get a hold of the frontline technological communication innovations so as to take advantage of this technology driven market.

Rifkin, J. (2000) The Age of Access: How The Shift From Ownership To Access is Transforming Modern Life, Ringwood, Victoria: Penguin Books, ISBN 014029547X

Rifkinâ€™s explosive revelations delve into the dominance of the media, made more powerful through convergence. His account divulges concepts not of the norm. His â€œtechno-skepticâ€? outlook scrutinises the magnitude of the media to penetrate the social landscape through convergence and pervasive mobile technology. Furthering this, his notion of the users culture being deconstructed into fragmented commercial experiences is loaded yet thought-provoking.

Smith, M. (2000) â€œSome Social Implications of Ubiquitous Wireless Networksâ€?, ACM SIGMOBILE Mobile Computing and Communications Review 4.2; [Online], pp.25-36. Available: Queensland University of Technology, Online Teaching Web site, https://olt.qut.edu.au/CI/KCB336/sec/index.cfm?fa=displayPage&rNum=1355093 [Accessed August 9. 2004].

This account presents a well-structured argument on the emerging popularity and future of wireless devices. Smith forecasts that these devices will penetrate every aspect of the social world, bringing the efficiency of information technology to the production of colossal power. He builds his theory of the foundation of two sociological concepts; power and knowledge. Smith uses this theory as a guide to the manner of social institutions and relationships that are expected to emerge from the use of the contemporary technology. His account envisages that such devices will enable a range of new forms of social interaction and collective action. Equally, his thesis discusses the destructive facet of such technology creating data that tell of each individual's habits, location, and capacities and hence, create a commodity out of the user.

Tanner, L. (2003) â€œMoving Mobile Forwardâ€? paper presented to the National Conference of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Industry, Sydney Convention Centre, Sydney 23 September.

This speech transcript delivered by the Australian Shadow Minister for Communications, Lindsay Tanner, is a thorough preamble of the issues that face society, as fervent users of mobile phone technology. Tannerâ€™s thought-provoking speech highlights the wider social impacts in an unbiased approach. Furthering this, the transcript raises question to the positive of the situation whereby the technology facilitates the user to enjoy relationships with a much larger group of people, at the cost of spreading themselves around more thinly. Tanner delineates that the rapid expansion and evolution of mobile telephony is changing the way we live and work. His insightful account indicates that this technology is creating many exciting opportunities, but also new challenges for regulators.

(Donna Locke 10:32, 13 Aug 2004 (EST))

Retrieved from "http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/User:Donna_Locke"

User:Donna Locke

Views

Contents

Donna Locke

Research Project Proposal

Research Project

[edit] Annotated Bibliography

How Convergence of Mobile Phone Technology is Generating Social Change

Navigation

Search

Toolbox

Personal tools