digital convergence

digital convergence

In the days of the first computers, transaction and company data were the first types of information digitized. Then came text, opening the world to word processing, followed by audio CDs and finally video. Having all forms of information in the digital domain gave rise to convergence opportunities.

Data used to travel over voice networks. Today, voice travels mostly over data networks. Private enterprises and telecom carriers have spent billions to develop voice over IP (VoIP) networks using the Internet's IP protocol. See VoIP, IP on Everything, IP telephony and fixed mobile convergence.

Personal Computers and Entertainment
The hottest area of convergence today is the merging of computers and consumer electronics (CE). Computers and the Internet are becoming the music source to stereo systems as well as an alternate video source to TVs. All new, medium to high-end TV sets, A/V receivers and home theater gear include Ethernet or Wi-Fi capability. This convergence started after the turn of the century when Microsoft introduced the Windows XP Media Center Edition, a version of Windows that focuses on home entertainment. See Windows Media Center, DLNA, digital media hub, digital media server, MP3 and HTPC.

Business and entertainment are also converging with the "smartphone," which wraps Internet access, music, video, camera, voice recorder, game machine and mini versions of nearly every software application imaginable into a do-it-all cellphone. The smartphone is the personal computer of the 21st century, because the cellphone is the single most "personal" machine people keep with them all the time. See smartphone.