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Big Bang of Convergence

joNDoty writes "Businessweek is running a story predicting 'This is going to be the most disruptive period in the past 50 years." The period they are talking about is the digital age of convergence, where every software/hardware manufacturer is racing to link cell phones, tvs and computers into universal devices 'that can't be categorized as tech or consumer electronics.' 'The result is a Big Bang of convergence, and it's likely to produce the biggest explosion of innovation since the dawn of the Internet.' Overrated? Perhaps, but +1 insightful nonetheless." Sure, your fridge will tell you you need milk, but convergence is not necessarily a good thing.

30 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. I agree. by LilGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    When your toaster tells you that you've got 2 potential e-harmony dates, and your fridge won't shut up about your lousy tv dinner diet, it will be time to move to the mountains.

    --

    You're nothing; like me.
    1. Re:I agree. by captainClassLoader · · Score: 5, Funny

      "...Julie? Hey, I'm real sorry about last night. My toaster went up in flames with an overdone Pop-Tart(tm), and so I never got your email..."

      --
      "The plural of anecdote is not data" -- Bruce Schneier
    2. Re:I agree. by malok2 · · Score: 3, Funny
  2. Linking by isd_glory · · Score: 4, Funny

    Linking link cell phones, tvs and computers would be nice... if they could link it with a frickin' flying car already

  3. Please don't converge my fridge by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 4, Funny

    I fear the 3l33t snax0rz.

  4. Re:Look at Your Remote Controls by tha_mink · · Score: 5, Funny

    Convergence though, kinda sweet. You can turn on your heated driveway from the comfort of your toilet remote control. That, my friend, is progress.

    --
    You'll have that sometimes...
  5. Digital Convergence? by norculf · · Score: 5, Funny

    I still have my ::CueCat.

  6. Viriiii by Kelt · · Score: 3, Funny

    I want to see the first person selling Anti-Virus for a refridgerator or reciever.

    I should go into business selling whole-home anti-virus licenses. Good for 10 communicating devices per license. Renewable monthly.

    -Kelt

    --
    My intelligence insults itself.
    1. Re:Viriiii by Ctrl-Z · · Score: 2, Funny

      I want to see the first person selling Anti-Virus for a refridgerator or reciever.

      I would be happy with antibacteria for the fridge. I'd never have to worry about those "mystery" packages ever again.

      --
      www.timcoleman.com is a total waste of your time. Never go there.
  7. FOOLS! by Griim · · Score: 5, Funny

    Doesn't anyone remember what happened last time when the Cylons attacked, and all of our computer systems were linked together?

  8. Synapse? by SphericalCrusher · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's already been created! Just go download the source code from skullbocks.com!

    --
    "Instant gratification takes too long." - Carrie Fisher
  9. No, thanks by Rick+the+Red · · Score: 4, Funny
    I don't need my refridgerator telling me that I need milk -- I can see for myself when I use the milk. And the last thing I need is my refridgerator telling Safeway.com that I need milk and scheduling a delivery when I'm on vacation.

    My VCR watches TV for me when I'm not there, my oven can cook dinner for me when I'm not there, and my checking account can pay bills automatically if I'm not there. With all this convergence, will my possessions need me anymore?

    --
    If all this should have a reason, we would be the last to know.
  10. Re:Slackjawed Marketers... by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 2, Funny

    your refrigerator/render-farm.

    Maybe now we can keep those AMD chips cool.

  11. Re:bah by Derkec · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sorry, but as of Jun 4th, we're 9th in the world. A single point behind Germany. That's one of the things that pisses the world off about us. Even when we don't care about something (like soccer) we're still pretty damn good at it.

  12. Re:Convergence by tha_mink · · Score: 4, Funny

    The problem you are referring to is fashion. I have no problem using a 5 year old walkman. I have no problem wearing non-faggy rollerblades from 1997. But most people just buy things based on look. They don't even know how to use them.

    *cough* Apple *cough*

    go'head kill me.

    --
    You'll have that sometimes...
  13. Great... now my toaster will spam me too by HighOrbit · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Your Bagle is ready. Would you like to see an add about Philly Cream Cheese?"

  14. Just imagine a date coming into your place... by sexylicious · · Score: 3, Funny

    You turn on the TV to watch a movie...
    "Problems down there? TRY CIALIS!"
    Or you go to the kitchen to get something to drink...
    "We've got the largest selection of dolls!"

    Like I'd want any of my appliances trying to sell me penis enlargement pills.

  15. Convergence? Yes!! by AltGrendel · · Score: 2, Funny

    Then we can all be individuals in the same way!

    --
    The simple truth is that interstellar distances will not fit into the human imagination

    - Douglas Adams

  16. Re:Convergence by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 3, Funny

    OK, I'll bite...my 12" iBook is tiny, tough and responsive. Apple's integration of the OS and hardware make it feel like I'm using a "tangible device" (ie a stereo, refrigerator, fax machine, copier), rather than using an abstracted operating system doing a balancing act on top of hardware.

  17. Re:bah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    Even when we don't care about something (like soccer) we're still pretty damn good at it.


    You call ninth place "pretty damn good"? And how does it feel being fifth in your own country's car racing championship? Or do you consider the leading country, Canada, part of the USA?

  18. I don't need milk! by Barlo_Mung_42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Sure, your fridge will tell you you need milk..."

    I'm going to be pissed if I can't program in vegan options. I don't need my fridge trying to puch animal products on me.
    FRIDGE: "Your soy milk is past due Dave. It is time to buy milk."
    ME: "Shut the hell up and open the damn pod bay door!"

  19. Re:Actually...Convergence happened ALREADY by Thud457 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I like 1980's guy. I think we should see more of him.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  20. My fridge is wrong. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Sure, my fridge might tell me I need more milk, but it's wrong. I know I'm not out of milk, because I've had the same carton sitting there for a good 5 months, now.

    Strangely enough, I've stopped recieving email telling me I'm out of cheese.

  21. Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. by CreatureComfort · · Score: 4, Funny


    Easy solution...

    Get a better, upgraded wife.

    --
    "Unheard of means only it's undreamed of yet,
    Impossible means not yet done." ~~ Julia Ecklar
  22. Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. by Pieroxy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Problem is a wife has only three slots for three features:

    1. beauty
    2. intelligence
    3. Geekiness
    4. Cooking
    5. Cleaning
    6. Likes sex

    Pick yours, but if you want one with Geekiness built in, you'll have to compromise with a lack of other features.

  23. Oh, this is just wonderful... by JRHelgeson · · Score: 3, Funny
    So, I open my web browser at work, log into my refrigerator at home only to hear it say: "You've got Mold!"

    ...Sorry

    --
    Good security is based upon reality and common sense. Common sense is a function of having common knowledge.
  24. Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I will give ALL OF MY MONEY to someone who can fix the problem.

    Easy. Send me your wife.
    Have her bring the money.

  25. It's the money, silly. by Texas+Consultant · · Score: 2, Funny

    Convergence is one half of the cycle of inventing many new trivial gadgets and then consolidating them, ensuring there's something we all just must buy every year. The result is an endless cash supply and burgeoning landfill...

  26. Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    Problem is a wife has only three slots for three features:

    My wife only has one slot, but there are two alternative ports. Not all wives have ports that are compatible.

  27. Re:So Sorry- I've only got one. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Get two - then you can have all those features. Might be difficult to decide which gets which though.