Ala Rashed
5/29/2018
Wearable Technology
Convergence of media has been occurring for longer than we think. From its origins in the form of print media, to the breakthrough of audio communication via the radio and to the stellar visual representation brought upon by the invention of the television. And all these three main instruments of media have crossed paths more than once to create the latest technological craze for humans to interact with one another. And the catalyst for this type of convergence was in my opinion, the invention of the computer, along with the internet. And due to this innovative piece of numbers and codes we have been introduced to the world and each other in a variety of ways, from the smartphone to gopros and satellite images. And yet the question still remains, what is going to be the next big thing?
Where do we go from here? It seems like the main trajectory we are headed towards is more and more convenience. The more technologically advanced we get the quicker things seem to become. No longer does man need to spend months to go on a journey or wait for messages to be hand delivered. Everything is instant. Messaging, travel, and more. And even with social media the biggest thing since the television. Talking to one another in person has become a thing of the past. We all hide behind a variety of screens that has touch screen interphase. Whether at home or on the go. Another example of convenience. This brings me to the latest trend of technology, and that is wearable technology.
Wearable technology is any device that can be worn or implanted on one’s person. Wearable technology can be also known as “wearable gadgets”, and or in a more simpler and fashionable name known as “wearables”. Examples of wearable technology include the Fitness related technology like the Fitbit. Or even your smart phone in the form of a watch. And we even have virtual reality goggles via samsung and other platforms.
My personal favorite piece of wearable technology is the Samsung Gear Vr. This type of wearable technology came to be by Samsung electronics, working together with Oculus. Which in it of itself is a virtual reality headset company. I believe virtual reality technology is the next big thing because it is the epitome of convenience. I say this because enhancing one’s reality can take a person from there dull life and transport them into a whole new world. It can revolutionize vacationing and experiencing new places. It can be a new form of educating where one can actually immerse themselves into the field they wanna study and get a more visual perspective than reading off a textbook. More apparently it’s affected the gaming world. From thriller roller coaster rides to killer clowns chasing you as you have to shoot them down with your virtual gun. The experience of a lifetime, but how will this type of wearable technology affect the way we use media?
How media? Virtual reality was initially used to enhance the television and smartphone experience as well as video gaming. But where does it fit when it comes to media? Social media is how we communicate now and it will surely be the communication of the future in a more developed format. And I believe that Virtual reality will play an important role in that development. Not only will social media improve, but so will humanity as a whole in how we see one another because in essence that is the purpose of social media. I mean how many of us have connected with long lost family members through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and more like Whatsapp and Viber group chats. Convergence in the form of sharing videos pictures and texts messages on these different social media platforms can go beyond a physical screen.
Virtual reality can connect two people from across the world just like let’s say Facebook. However the limits proximity or nearness will be a thing of the past. It will be as if you travelled to see your family but still remain where you are. In addition virtual reality can stop people from hiding behind a screen and bring back good old fashioned communication face to face with no screen in the way. This helps bring more convenience to us as a people and yet still take us back to a simpler and more efficient way of communicating. Not to mention it can also minimize cyber bullying and child predators and the many diseases that plague the internet by making everything more personal and not a tool to abuse others.
In conclusion I believe the next big thing in social media is virtual reality technology. Because we are and always have been heading towards making life easy using technology. Which has had a major impact on how we communicate as a species using a variety of social media platforms. However with the advancements in virtual technology I believe we will see a big change in how we utilize our media and creating a better society in doing so.
Bibliography
https://crunchwear.com/category/wearable-tech/
http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-vr/
https://valuebound.com/resources/blog/virtual-reality-next-big-thing-media
https://900lbs.com/how-virtual-reality-will-impact-social-media/
1 comments
I agree with you about convenience but is that a new innovation? Some people might argue that wearables are actually more of an inconvenience than a convenience because they consist of yet another thing we have to worry about. The Oculus and Samsung Gear, while they are devices you put on your head, are merely different forms of displays which is something that we have had now for many decades. For wearable tech to really be the next big thing, we need to start thinking more about ubiquitous technology or technology that disappears entirely so that we don’t even realize that it’s there and that we use it as seamlessly as we use our own bodies. Social media mixed with wearables is definitely coming, but it’s not quite there yet besides status updates and friend requests and like buttons.