Mobile Broadcasting
This presentation examines the validity of mobile broadcasting as a new technology of online news. In 2008 only about a third of Americans had a phone capable of receiving these broadcast and only 2% of subscribers used it. This technology is rapidly developing while new business models for delivering it are much more sluggish and controversial. A few of the largest news outlets have surprisingly been in support of an open-source model, which requires only a one-time setup fee to install a receiver chip. Mobile broadcasting is not likely to be the solution many news broadcasters are looking for to bring in revenue; it may however be a technology that is a critical part of news outlets business model.
Works Cited:
Potter, D. (2008, August). On the Go. American Journalism Review, 30(4), 58-58. Retrieved February 6, 2009, from Communication & Mass Media Complete database.
I think it’ll be really interesting to see how mobile broadcasting evolves and if it becomes a part of the everyday way we consume media… I really like the idea of having unrestricted (or at least less restricted) local cell broadcasting for programs of local and regional interest!
It’s a cool technology, that’s for sure. But maybe it’s just me – I don’t like having to watch a whole video when I can just read an article. And as things like the iPhone and BlackBerry make reading easier on mobile devices, I wonder if mobile video will truly make an impact. I could be way off, but I think audio-only podcasts are much more popular than the video podcasts for mobile users because of where and when they are consumed.
I am sad that I missed your presentation. It was very different, in a good way, from the three presentations I saw. I think mobile broadcasting is an amazing new technology especially for traffic news or weather. I also feel it will be a “critical part of news outlets business model”.
I’m not sure how I feel about this. I find that we are gravitating too hard towards having everything at our fingertips and I have question the necessity. It just seems to be too much all at once. if there is an argument that actually proves that there is a social need for this than maybe I will support it. But in the mean time I think checking the internet during your lunch break should suffice.
I am pretty sure that this is going to be a technology that ends up in a way different spot than the prognosticators and backers have envisioned. Plain old 3G or LTE will do much of what I have seen in the pipe for this so far, but I have not seen a whole lot that takes advantage of locality.
Thank you for the presentation!
Your presentation was really interesting and it made me wonder how far mobile technology can go. I’m thinking like how they made a UMD for the Playstation Portable (PSP) that alows owners to watch a full feature length film on the PSP maybe they’ll make a full feature length film on an SD or something that you can plug into your Mobile phone. Even streaming technology may be getting much better, and your presentation did a great job examining the future posibilities of the mobile phone.
I wish I caught this presentation. The whole concept of mobile broadcasting escapes me. It’s like having a TV follow you around wherever you go. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a luddite by any means. I think technology has greatly improved my life. Without the internet in particular, I wouldn’t have nearly the amount of freedom that I now enjoy. But jeez, when we’re outdoors and presumably engaged in our surroundings and the community, can’t we please put down our electronic devices??
The concept of mobile broadcasting in the terms that you discussed and presented it was a completely new idea for me. I think that you did a really great job presenting and explaining it. I am excited to keep and eye on what the companies will do with this technology and new idea in the next few years. Thank you for introducing this to me!