Media Technologies

            There are numerous forms of media technology that have enhanced the way we communicate today. Generation Y has welcomed these updates, becoming known as the E-Generation, “Because they are such voracious consumers of electronic media” (Cameron, Wilcox, Reber, Shin, 2008). Some of the most popular advancements in media technology are cell phones, social networking, internet and blogs.

Cell phones have become part of almost every person’s life, and the Y and Z generations are ensuring that this form of communication continues to thrive. Cell phones have become popular both for personal use as well as business use. These small devices have become a pivotal way for people to keep in contact, kids as young as five have been given phones. As technology advanced cell phones went from being just a phone, to a multi-media device. Smart phones can do what a computer/lap top would do but on a smaller scale. They are now adapted for internet browsing, instant messaging, music, and some networks are even adding the option of radio to their phones. New innovations for this small phone are constantly being unveiled such as, “a new Google mobile phone embedded with a chip that makes it a virtual wallet so people can "tap and pay" is poised to make its debut. The smartphone runs on fresh "Gingerbread" software and is embedded with what is called a near-field communication chip for financial transactions, according to Google chief executive Eric Schmidt” (Pay Phone, 2010). With all these developments mobile phones have become an addiction in the lives of many. People jump through hoops to maintain a constant connection with the world.

Social networking websites have made communication even easier. These sites bring together hundreds of people under one friend list. It’s simple to communicate a single message to the whole list of people. Having everybody at easy access has successfully brought together long lost friends and is helping to maintain acquaintance type friendships. Many people use these websites for personal pleasure, and more often then not making so much information available can hinder business success of an individual. However, social networking cites can actually play a positive role in corporations. These websites make advertising easy for companies, “Southwest Airlines has become the first airline to reach one million fans on Facebook! And while there are a million ways to celebrate, we've decided to offer our fans a special Rapid Rewards promotion, available today only” (Southwest Airlines, 2010). Facebook has even updated it’s profile layout in order to better accommodate advertisers without hindering its users. The new profile is reliant on people updating personal information such as their interests. From the information given, advertisers can get a better idea of what users are looking for and target those users who would be most likely to enjoy the products being offered by individual companies.  

The internet is another form of media technology which has been successful. The internet is a way to put up and share information with the world. I envision that as the current generation grows, they will push for the internet to replace places like libraries. Research is done more heavily on the internet as the process can be streamlined for more precise information about a topic. For now, the internet is a way information to be shared on a large level. “Law firms are increasingly resorting to social media such as You Tube to boost brand visibility and show off their range of legal services. Lavery LLP, which this week unrolled a bilingual advertising campaign that will run in a first wave before the end of the year and then again in January, is using You Tube to promote specific practice areas for its business-law specialty in a fast-moving video lasting one minute and 39 seconds” (Leger, 2010). Websites like you tube offer people the opportunity to share visually interactive information. Sometimes this website can offer unknown individuals what has been called fifteen minutes of fame. Some celebrities such as Justin Bieber used this website to get known and sometimes this can be a huge success.

Another flourishing media technology that has become extremely prevalent is blogging.  Blogging has become more and more popular over the last five or so years. Blogging is a way for people to share their personal opinions, thoughts and conclusions with the world. A blog can be more professional and business like and read like a newspaper, or they can be personal; a way for people to reach out to their “fans.” Blogs are most often used as a form of self promotion where people share their thoughts and skills with the world in hopes to be recognized. Blogs can get people recognized in a way that will enhance careers. On the other hand some blogs are meant to have a more personal touch, where people just want to share their opinions and ideas with others and gain feedback. Another form of blogging that has gained in popularity over the last few years is online higher education. “Shared video media and blogging embrace a potential to facilitate communication and reflection among online higher education students” (Olofsson, Lindberg, Stödberg, 2011). The online schooling platform has students participate in weekly discussion boards, a form of blogging. Blogging is another form of media technology that will continue to grow and expand in the world.
            Through all the advancements in media technology, communication has never been more effortless. All the developing forms of media are unique in their purpose but they all target an audience that’s so broad it cannot accurately be defined as anything other than almost everybody. Some of the most trendy media forms of the moment are cell phones, social networking sites, internet, and blogging. All of the above are quickly taking over and changing the way communication has happened in the past.

 

Sources

Anders D. Olofsson, J. Ola Lindberg, & Ulf Stödberg. (2011). Shared video media and
            blogging online :Educational technologies for enhancing formative e-
            assessment?. Campus - Wide Information Systems, 28(1), 41-55.  Retrieved
            December 13, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2209835301).

Cameron, G.T., Wilcox, D.L., Reber, B.H., Shin,J.H. (2008) Public relations today:
            managing competition and conflict. First edition. Boston:Pearson Education

KATHRYN LEGER.  (2010, December 10). Law firms use You Tube to show off
            services, specialties. The Gazette,B.3.  Retrieved December 13, 2010, from
            ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2210948741).

`Pay phone' a tap away. (2010, November 17). The Gold Coast Bulletin,26.  Retrieved
            December 13, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2195299881).

Southwest Airlines; Southwest Airlines Announces Rapid Rewards Triple Credit Offer
            Exclusively for Facebook Fans. (2010, December). Transportation Business
            Journal,101.  Retrieved December 13, 2010, from Research Library. (Document
            ID: 2208015121).