Nike + iPod

Over the last few years, warnings about the health risks associated with obesity have become increasingly dire. At the same time, computers, games consoles and other electronic devices have become increasingly present in people's homes. So it's not surprising that many new gadgets, from the Nintendo Wii to the Exerstation console controller, combine technology with fitness.
The Nike + iPod Sport Kit is similar. Essentially, it combines a portable music player with a pedometer -- two devices that runners have used for years. But the Sport Kit is considerably more advanced than an ordinary pedometer. It uses circuitry, radio waves and software to track and report on a person's workout.
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camera phones

Built-in camera phones may now be reaching 5 megapixels.
Fujifilm's latest low-end snapper is the Z5, a 6 megapixel model aimed ostensibly at first-time buyers.
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PS3

Sony has decided to stop selling its 20GB version of the PS3 in the US. The new 90GB console outstrips the original by more than 9 to 1 and also includes built-in WiFi and flash memory card readers.
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quantum computers

here's an interesting link about how new quantum computers will work....scary stuff

New Nokia Mobile

I was waiting for a bus in leicester the other day and noticed the advertisement on the bus stop for the new nokia phone, Nokia N95. The slogan was something like 'It's a GPS. It's camera. It's an MP3 player. It's a WiFi. Its a mobile." Something along those lines anyway.
But it just struck me how much we can actually fit into a device that is precisely 99mm tall, 53mm wide and 21mm thick.
The features include:

• 20x zoom
  
• 5 Megapixel camera
  
• Autofocus
  
• Bluetooth technology
  
• Carl Zeiss lens
  
• chat menu
  
• conference calling
  
• dual band on 3G
  
• email
  
• external memory MicroSD
  
• FM Radio
  
• infrared connection
  
• Java™ capable
  
• MP3 & AAC player
  
• quad band technology
  
• speaker phone
  
• Symbian Series 60 9.2 operating system
  
• Video Calling
  
• video capture
  
• Video download
  
• Video Messaging
  
• Video playback

This is obvioulsy a great example of convergence, the combining of technologies. Here, Nokia have encorporated not only a camera into their phone, but an MP3 Player, eMail, video messaging and calling, radio and a speaker phone. Let us not forget that this phone weighs no more than 120g.

Virtual Worlds

Personally, the idea of virtual worlds is quite freaky, but i'm obviously in a minority as millions of people are eager to join them.
Massive Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG's), are rapidly developing and making a significant appearance in the converged world of media.
The market for MMOG's is now worth more than $1bn (£511m). Revenues from subscriptions for these games are said to hit $1.5bn by 2011.
However the increase of MMOG's is small compared to the growth of video on demand, which is said to be worth $11.4bn in four years time.
One of the most succesful MMOG's is World of Warcraft, this game has over 8million subscribers worldwide including 3million in the West, where it has over 50% share of the market.

Top 5 MMOG's

• World of Warcraft
  
• RuneScape
  
• Final Fantasy Online
  
• Everquest
  
• City of Heroes/Villains
  

There are a number of new MMOG's genres emerging, including:

• Virtual world building games e.g. second life
  
• Virtual pet rearing games e.g. Neo pets
  
• More casual MMO puzzle games
  
• Sports games where you have to buy items and build up your character

Orange Broadband

Orange is hoping to launch broadband television later on this year, providing us with an example of 'convergence' which is the combining of two tecnologies. Other examples of this are camera phones, Sky+, internet phones etc If the idea of Orange broadband does indeed happen, then it will allow orange users to transfer media content between their mobile, TV and computer