Online Streaming

I go on and on in this blog about how technology has changed over the years and how much it has impacted our everyday lives, but the evolution of television, in my opinion, is the one product that has gone through the most changes. When the television was invented it took years for people to become fully accepting of it. It took years for the vast majority of the population to own at least one TV and now American households have at least three per house. There are now multiple size televisions to choose from, different brands, LED, LCD, and Plasma screens, and even 3D televisions. Another decision I never thought could be possible is how people decide to access their television.

There are multiple mediums for people to view television including through their television providers, computers, phones, and now online streaming services. The main medium I will be focusing on is the online streaming phenomenon that has taken over the technology world by storm. Gaming consoles and televisions are not just things to play video games on or to watch live television but to stream other videos from online. These designs offer other apps and games that the original device could not offer by itself. There is now a necessity for a product to not just offer one service but to provide multiple services in one. All of these all in one products have at least one online streaming service whether it be Hulu, Netflix, Crackle, or many others. Here is a quick description of how to stream your online footage and what devices you can use to stream the content onto your television.

Roku is one, somewhat new, product that has definitely caught my eye along with thousands of other television lovers. This is a product that in my opinion is best fit for my age group, the young adult living on their own trying to get as much stuff as possible for as cheap as possible. With products ranging from a one time price as low as $50 to $100, this little box offer access to just about whatever you can already access online and brings it to the big screen in your house. With products such as Roku that completely bypass television providers and their large monthly fees, I wonder if some people may consider this as a complete alternative to live television. My sister who is recently engaged and just moved into her own house, is tight on money and has a Roku. She and her fiance do not have a television provider therefore do not watch live television in their home, but they have access to thousands of movies and other forms of entertainment through Roku. For them, Roku is an alternative to live television and they do not feel as though they are missing out on anything. Like I said earlier, I believe Roku, and products like it, have tapped into the young adult demographic who seek as much entertainment as possible while paying as little as possible. 

Where can Roku and other online streaming products go to next? Here is another video about the upcoming Roku Streaming Stick that was unveiled at the CES 2012 Convention.

I believe the Streaming Stick will be extremely successful due to its portability and being wireless. I have a Roku box as well and the wires are bigger than the actual box, which I find quite annoying. You find a place for the box but then you have to find a place to hide all the big, black, and ugly cords. Roku obviously agreed with me and found a solution.

Who knows where television will be 5 years from now. With each year that passes audiences gain more and more control over what they watch, when they watch it, and what they watch it on. How much more can the audience control? We will soon find out in the years to come. 

Wikinomics

Technology has created a platform for people to voice their opinions and this platform continues to grow day by day. Individuals who were once considered amateurs with no voice may now be viewed as respectful people whose opinions are highly valued. Large corporations, and even small local businesses, now seek outside help from consumers. Companies pursue these consumers for new ideas concerning products and or services. Mass collaboration, such as this, has recently been defined as Wikinomics.

I have always heard the phrase, “Two heads are better than one,” but why limit it to two minds. The whole concept of Wikinomics is for people to take advantage of what technology allows us to do, which is to mass communicate. In today’s economy if a company does not utilize social media to interact with their consumers or stockholders they will not succeed. Many companies have formed over the years to help other companies transition into this digital culture. A very interesting company that I found is known as iStrategyLabs based out of Washington DC. 

According to Peter Corbett, founder of iStrategyLabs, they are a service that “builds online and offline movements that engage communities through creative marketing, experimental uses of social media, and civic innovation programs of all kinds.” Some of their services include social media marketing, digital marketing, experimental marketing, youth marketing, content creation, civic innovation, and custom labs. iStrategyLabs clients include Disney, Ford, ABC, ESPN, U.S. Army, and Walmart. Their website is really cool and goes more in depth with their services and what all they can do for a company looking to expand into the world of mass communication. 

Here is a video where Corbett explains what is necessary in order to successfully set the stage for social mass collaboration. 

He discusses the concept of a give and take relationship, whether it be among coworkers trying to communicate or people outside the company attempting to mass collaborate. In order for it to be a successful relationship, the company must make sure they are giving something back. Some companies offer discounts or freebies to consumers who complete a survey to encourage feedback whereas some do contests as an incentive. 

The ultimate idea revolving around Wikinomics is the act of sharing information to form or make ideas better by using more minds. No one mind is better than the other but joined together for the same cause can be unstoppable.