technologies for your home

What television is really becoming

On 02/08/2011, in convergence, future, interface design, technologies for your home, television, by Daniel Christian

What television is *really* becoming — by Philip Leigh at Inside Digital Media, Inc.

Excerpts:

Nicholas Negroponte who founded MIT’s Media Lab correctly put it sixteen years ago when he wrote in Being Digital “…the future open-architecture television is the personal computer, period.”

…

Televisions will become giant windows into the Internet Cloud. They’ll transform into electronic hearths through which family members gather to remotely share communications and social experiences as much as to watch videos. In addition to watching “TV” shows and movies, they’ll use future televisions for video phone calls, FaceBook updates, news feeds, interactive gaming, and knowledge quests within the nearly infinite mind of the Internet. Moreover, such features will augment one another. For example, FaceBook socializing will alert us to new videos our friends are watching.

The television-as-Internet-window will ultimately have a more intuitive interface. It’s likely to provide a combination of icon-apps as well as Internet browsing. Although the man-machine interface will continue to offer a mouse-and-keyboard for a while we’ll also use a gesture sensitive interface like Microsoft Kinect demonstrated in this video.

Tagged with: convergence • future • gesture / gesturing • telepresence • TV

Five high-tech business trends

On 01/26/2011, in cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, mobile technologies, tablets, technologies for your home, technology (general), telecommunications, trends, by Daniel Christian

Five high-tech business trends — from Reuters

1. 4G Connectivity

2. Tablet Takeover

3. Apps Everywhere

4. Online Communications

5. Cloud Computing

Tagged with: cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related • mobile technology • tablets • technologies for the home • technology (general) • telecommunications

Millions of TV’s (as completely converged/Internet-connected devices) = millions of learners?!?

On 01/20/2011, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, A/V -- audio/visual, animation, blended learning, cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related, collaboration, convergence, corporate / business world, corporate universities / corporate training, cost of getting a degree, creativity, Daniel S. Christian, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, distance education, e-books, e-readers, education, education reform, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, flipping -- inverted learning, future, future of higher education, game-changing environment, global / globalization, higher education, homeschooling/homeschoolers, hybrid learning, immersion, informal learning, innovation, interactivity, internet, K-12 related, learning, learning agents, learning ecosystem, learning preferences, learning spaces, lifelong learning, love of learning, marketplaces, media/film, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multimedia, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new business models, new media literacies, online learning, online media, online tutoring, play, podcasting, simulations, social learning / networks, social media, strategy, teaching & learning, technologies for your home, technology (general), telepresence, television, training / L&D, transmedia, trends, ubiquitous learning, user experience (UX), user interface design, vendors, videoconferencing, virtual field trips, virtual K-12 schools, vision/possibilities, visualizing information, web-based collaboration, by Daniel Christian

From DSC:

The other day, I created/posted the top graphic below. Take the concepts below — hook them up to engines that use cloud-based learner profiles — and you have some serious potential for powerful, global, ubiquitous learning! A touch-sensitive panel might be interesting here as well.

Come to think of it, add social networking, videoconferencing, and web-based collaboration tools — the power to learn would be quite impressive. Multimedia to the nth degree.

Then add to that online marketplaces for teaching and learning — where you can be both a teacher and a learner at the same time — hmmm…

From DSC:
Then today, I saw Cisco’s piece on their Videoscape product line! Check it out!

Tagged with: 1:1 • 21st century • 24x7x365 • 3D • A/V • animation • blended learning • cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related • collaboration • convergence • corporate training / universities • corporate universities / corporate training • Daniel S. Christian • digital audio • digital learning • digital storytelling • digital video • e-learning • enterprise learning • game-changing environment • global • Global learning • hybrid learning • learning ecosystem • multimedia • online learning • online media • online tutoring • transmedia • trends • TV • ubiquitous learning • videoconferencing • virtual field trips • virtual schools • virtual tutoring • web-based collaboration

How will technologies like AirPlay change education? 24x7x365 access on any device is one possibility..

On 01/17/2011, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, Daniel S. Christian, digital audio, digital learning, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, distance education, e-books, e-readers, education, education reform, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, entrepreneurship, flipping -- inverted learning, future, future of higher education, game-changing environment, higher education, homeschooling/homeschoolers, human-computer interaction (HCI), informal learning, innovation, interaction design, interactivity, interface design, internet, IT in HE, K-12 related, learner profiles, learning, learning ecosystem, learning spaces, lifelong learning, media/film, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multimedia, New "Amazon.com" of Higher Education, new media literacies, online learning, online media, online tutoring, play, simulations, social learning / networks, teaching & learning, technologies for your home, technology (general), telepresence, training / L&D, transmedia, ubiquitous learning, user experience (UX), user interface design, videoconferencing, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, web-based collaboration, webinars, by Daniel Christian

Addendum on 1-20-11:
The future of the TV is online — from telegraph.co.uk
Your television’s going to get connected, says Matt Warman

Tagged with: 1:1 • 21st century • 24x7x365 • 3D • A/V • Apple • blended learning • corporate training / universities • Daniel S. Christian • digital audio • digital learning • digital storytelling • digital textbooks • digital video • disruption • distance ed • e-books • e-learning • e-readers • education reform • educational technology • engagement • engaging students • entrepreneurship • flipping -- inverted learning • future • future of higher education • games • higher education • homeschooling/homeschoolers • human-computer interaction (HCI) • hybrid learning • informal learning • innovation • interaction design • interactivity • interface design • internet • iPad • iPhone • iPod • IT • Keeping students engaged • kiosks & digital displays • learner profiles • learning • learning spaces • Lifelong learning • Media/film • multimedia • online learning • online media • play • podcasting • simulations • social learning • teaching & learning • technologies for the home • telecommunications • telepresence • training • transmedia • TV • ubiquitous learning • user experience • user interface design • UX • videoconferencing • virtual reality / worlds / learning • visualizing information • vodcasting • Walmart of Education • web-based collaboration • webinars

Eight Great Explosions in Video

On 01/12/2011, in A/V -- audio/visual, convergence, digital video, educational games / serious games, emerging technologies, learning spaces, smart classrooms, technologies for your home, the downsides of how people use tech, by Daniel Christian

Eight Great Explosions in Video — from futurist Thomas Frey

Excerpt:

Video is set to go through an explosive growth phase. The coming years of video development will be defined by what I call the eight great explosions.

1. Explosion of Television Apps

2. Explosion of Video Capture Devices

3. Explosion of Video Display Surfaces

4. Explosion of Video Projection Systems

5. Explosion of Video Content

6. Explosion of Holography

7. Explosion of Video Gaming

8. Explosion of Video Bandwidth and Storage

Final Thoughts
Not everything in the video world will be positive. Today the average child who turns 18 has witnessed over 200,000 violent acts on television. Every year the average child is bombarded with over 20,000 thirty second commercials. And the 1,680 minutes each day that the average child spends in front of their TV is making them increasingly fat, lazy, and prone to disease.

On one hand, television is the great educator, the center of modern culture, and a pipeline into everything happening around us. But at the same time, it is sucking up our time, infringing on our relationships, and keeping us from doing meaningful work.

Television is at once both a massive problem and a massive solution. However, as a medium, television has the capability of solving the problems it creates.

Tagged with: A/V • convergence • digital video • emerging technologies • future • games • holography • innovation • learning spaces • smart classrooms • technologies for the home • the downsides of technology • TV

Relevant to training and education? Yes…I think so.

On 01/03/2011, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, convergence, homeschooling/homeschoolers, online learning, technologies for your home, videoconferencing, web-based collaboration, by Daniel Christian

Manufacturers Turn to Smart TV After 3-D Disappoints — from WSJ (with insert from DSC below)

The idea is to make it easy to shop, surf the Web, (take a class, videoconference with others around the world, gain skills and knowledge, get training on demand) check the weather and traffic and set up customized news pages. Consumers also would have available a variety of other apps for, say, social networking or sharing photos and videos.

Tagged with: 21st century • 24x7x365 • A/V • convergence • homeschooling/homeschoolers • online learning • technologies for the home • videoconferencing • web-based collaboration

Internet Use Explodes, Occupies As Many Hours As TV

On 12/13/2010, in internet, technologies for your home, by Daniel Christian

Internet Use Explodes, Occupies As Many Hours As TV — from FastCompany.com by Kit Eaton

webtv

A new survey by Forrester tracking U.S. consumer activity has revealed that the Net has caught up with TV as a pastime–and while TV’s not going away just yet, this pretty much cements the future of web-based TV.

Forrester has been carrying out this kind of research for years, but this is the first year in its surveys of U.S. consumers–40,000 of them, in this case–that the amount of time spent watching TV has been equalled by time spent online. Both see the average U.S. consumer devoting 13 hours a week.

Tagged with: internet • technologies for the home

Skype hits new usage record

On 11/23/2010, in digital audio, digital video, technologies for your home, videoconferencing, by Daniel Christian

Skype hits new usage record — from Mashable.com by Adam Ostrow

Tagged with: digital audio • digital video • Skype • technologies for the home • videoconferencing

Cutting the Pay TV Cord, Chapter 5: Unlimited Internet TV — from Phil Leigh

In short, often there is no reason why modern flat panel TV screens cannot function as giant monitors for up-do-date computers.

Thus a growing number of us are attaching computers to our TVs. The trend is especially prevalent for WiFi enabled computers because they can connect over a home network and thence to the Internet. In such configurations computers – commonly dedicated laptops – function as Internet gateways for televisions. They transform TVs into dual function devices normally controlled from a comfortable viewing distance with ordinary TV remote units.

Also see:

Cutting the Pay TV Cord, Chapter 4: Broadcast Reception
Cutting the Pay TV Cord, Chapter 3: Televisions
Cutting the Pay TV Cord, Chapter 2
Cutting the Pay TV Cord, Chapter 1
If you’re tired of paying for television service you’re not alone. The number of domestic pay TV subscribers declined for the first time ever at the end of the June, 2010 calendar quarter. The drop was about 200,000. It declined again at the end of the September quarter by an estimated 100,000. Since there are over 95 million pay TV subscribers, the industry publicly minimizes the significance of the trend reversal. But they are wrong to do so. It’s been a growth business for half a century. It’s run its course and Internet video is the successor.

Tagged with: A/V • cloud-based computing / apps / other cloud-related • digital audio • digital storytelling • digital textbooks • digital video • distance ed • emerging technologies • homeschooling/homeschoolers • innovation • internet • Media/film • Mobile learning • multi-touch • multimedia • music • new publishing models • nontraditional • online learning • online media • online tutoring • podcasting • teaching online • technologies for the home • videoconferencing • vodcasting • Walmart of Education

iOS 4.2 out today

On 11/22/2010, in A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, emerging technologies, mobile technologies, technologies for your home, by Daniel Christian

Apple today announced that iOS 4.2, the latest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, is available today for download for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. iOS 4.2 brings over 100 new features from iOS 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2 to iPad, including Multitasking, Folders, Unified Inbox, Game Center, AirPlay, and AirPrint. “iOS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Once again, the iPad with iOS 4.2 will define the target that other tablets will aspire to, but very few, if any, will ever be able to hit.”

Tagged with: Apple • emerging technologies • mobile technology

Apps World: Nov 30-Dec 1, 2010

On 11/22/2010, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, A/V -- audio/visual, computer science, emerging technologies, human-computer interaction (HCI), mobile technologies, online media, programming, technologies for your home, by Daniel Christian

Tagged with: 1:1 • 21st century • 24x7x365 • A/V • computer science • emerging technologies • human-computer interaction (HCI) • mobile technology • online media • programming • technologies for the home

Some reflections on Visions 2020.2

On 11/09/2010, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, analytics, Augmented Reality (AR), collaboration, convergence, digital audio, digital learning, digital textbooks, digital video, distance education, e-books, e-readers, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, faith, game-changing environment, human-computer interaction (HCI), immersion, innovation, intelligent tutoring, interactivity, internet, K-12 related, learning agents, learning ecosystem, learning preferences, mathematics, mobile learning, mobile technologies, multimedia, online learning, online media, online tutoring, personalized/customized learning, religion, simulations, social learning / networks, student-related, technologies for your home, telepresence, tools, videoconferencing, virtual field trips, virtual K-12 schools, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, virtual tutoring, vision/possibilities, by Daniel Christian

From DSC:
Below are some notes and reflections after reading Visions 2020.2: Student Views on Transforming Education and Training Through Advanced Technologies — by the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Education, and NetDay

Basic Themes

Digital Devices
Access to Computers and the Internet
Intelligent Tutor/Helper
Ways to Learn and Complete School Work Using Technology

Several recurring words jumped off the page at me, including:

Voice activation
A rugged, mobile, lightweight, all-convergent communications and entertainment device
Online classes
Interactive textbooks
Educational games
3D virtual history enactments — take me there / time machine
Intelligent tutors
Wireless
24x7x365 access
Easy to use
Digital platforms for collaborating and working with others on schoolwork/homework
Personalized, optimized learning for each student
Immersive environments
Augmented reality
Interactive
Multimedia
Virtual
Simulations
Digital diagnostics (i.e. analytics)
Wireless videoconferencing

Here are some quotes:

Math and reading were often cited specifically as subjects that might benefit from the use of learning technologies. (p. 5)

No concept drew greater interest from the student responders than some sort of an intelligent tutor/helper. Math was the most often mentioned subject for which tutoring help was needed. Many students desired such a tutor or helper for use in school and at home. (p. 17)

…tools, tutors, and other specialists to make it possible to continuously adjust the pace, nature and style of the learning process. (p.27)

So many automated processes have been built in for them: inquiry style, learning style, personalized activity selection, multimedia preferences, physical requirements, and favorite hardware devices. If the student is in research mode, natural dialogue inquiry and social filtering tools configure a working environment for asking questions and validating hypotheses. If students like rich multimedia and are working in astronomy, they automatically are connected to the Sky Server which accesses all the telescopic pictures of the stars, introduces an on-line expert talking about the individual constellations, and pulls up a chatting environment with other students who are looking at the same environment. (p.28)

— Randy Hinrichs | Research Manager for Learning Science and Technology | Microsoft Research Group

From DSC:
As I was thinking about the section on the intelligent tutor/helper…I thought, “You know…this isn’t just for educators. Pastors and youth group leaders out there should take note of what students were asking for here.”

Help, I need somebody
Help me with ____
Many students expressed interest in an “answer machine,” through which a student could pose a specific question and the machine would respond with an answer. <– I thought of online, Christian-based mentors here, available 24x7x365 to help folks along with their spiritual journeys

Tagged with: 1:1 • 21st century • 24x7x365 • 3D • analytics • augmented reality • collaboration • convergence • customized learning • digital audio • digital learning • digital textbooks • digital video • e-books • e-readers • educational technology • emerging technologies • engagement • faith • game-changing environment • human-computer interaction (HCI) • immersion • innovation • intelligent tutoring • interactivity • internet • K-12 • Learning Agents • learning ecosystem • learning preferences • math • Mobile learning • mobile technology • multimedia • online learning • online tutoring • personalized learning • religion • simulations • social learning • student-related • technologies for the home • telepresence • videoconferencing • virtual field trips • virtual schools • virtual tutoring • vision • web-based collaboration

Another example that supports what Clayton Christensen/Michael Horn have been saying…

On 11/06/2010, in change, changing business models, disruption, future of higher education, game-changing environment, reinvent, staying relevant, technologies for your home, trends, by Daniel Christian

From DSC:
All of us must constantly reinvent ourselves — if current trends continue, this will become truer with each day that passes for the rest of our lifetimes.

The article below points out yet another example of how the entrenched incumbents who don’t reinvent themselves ultimately lose customers, and therefor relevancy. It is very difficult to make a right turn from our traditional “bread and butter” business models and methods of doing business. But if an organization is to stay atop its field, it must reinvent itself. This is not a message for just the corporate world — it is a message for those of us within higher education.

Cable TV Bleeds Subscribers, Internet TV Cleans Them Up — from FastCompany.com by Austin Carr

Staying Relevant

Tagged with: change • disruption • future of higher education • game-changing environment • reinvent • staying relevant • technologies for the home • trends

Check out the Kno for what what’s coming down the pike

On 10/22/2010, in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, digital audio, digital learning, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, disruption, e-books, e-readers, education technology, educational games / serious games, elearning, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, game-changing environment, higher education, interactivity, K-12 related, learning ecosystem, love of learning, media/film, mobile learning, mobile technologies, more voice more choice more control, multi-touch, multimedia, music, new business models, online learning, online media, personalized/customized learning, platforms, podcasting, presentations, publishing, social learning / networks, story, storytelling, student-related, tablets, technologies for your home, telepresence, textbooks, tools, user experience (UX), vendors, videoconferencing, virtual field trips, vision/possibilities, web-based collaboration, by Daniel Christian

From DSC:
This tablet is larger, which I love! It also offers:

Interactivity
Multimedia
Ability to annotate/save annotations
Collaboration and more

Nice!

Tagged with: 1:1 • 21st century • 24x7x365 • customized learning • digital audio • digital learning • digital storytelling • digital textbooks • digital video • disruption • e-books • e-readers • educational gaming • educational technology • engagement • game-changing environment • HCI • learning ecosystem • love of learning • Media/film • Mobile learning • mobile technology • more choice more control • multi-touch • multimedia • music • new business models • new publishing models • online learning • online media • personalized learning • podcasting • presentations • publishing • social learning • story • storytelling • student-related • tablets • technologies for the home • telepresence • text to speech / speech to text • textbooks • tools • user experience • vendors • videoconferencing • virtual field trips • vision • vodcasting

The Future of Television and the Digital Living Room

On 10/21/2010, in digital audio, digital learning, digital video, emerging technologies, online learning, online media, technologies for your home, by Daniel Christian

The Future of Television and the Digital Living Room — from FastCompany.com by Mark Suster

Nobody can predict 100% what the future of television will be so I won’t pretend that I know the answers. But I do know that it will form a huge basis of the future of the Internet, how we consume media, how we communicate with friends, how we play games, and how we shop. Video will be inextricably linked to the future of the Internet and consumption between PCs, mobile devices, and TVs will merge. Note that I didn’t say there will be total “convergence”–but I believe the services will inter-operate.

The digital living room battle will take place over the next 5-10 years, not just the next 1-2. But with the introduction of Apple TV, Google TV, the Boxee Box, and other initiatives it’s clear that this battle will heat up in 2011. The following is not meant to be a deep dive but rather a framework for understanding the issues. This is where the digital media puck is going.

While we won’t get through all of this, here are some of the issues in the industry that I plan to bring up and ones I hope we’ll discuss tomorrow…

Tagged with: digital • digital audio • digital learning • digital video • emerging technologies • technologies for the home

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