playstation website-play station 3

i looked at the playstation 3 website when looking at portable gaming devices. The website is dedicated to the promotion of the new 'playstation 3'. This shows how the internet can be used as a means of succesfully promoting a product. The website offers 3d images of the product as well as the latest news on the new phenomeneon. The website is targetted at teenagers- who account or the largest percentage of the products consumers. The playstation 3 allows users to play games, watch movies, take photos and even go online. This is a clear example of convergence and how the playstation 3 can be used instead of a computer, a camera and a dvd/video player. The site also advertises the latest ps3 games and this benefits the institutions as they can advertise there product- and at the same time save money.

When looking at converged, portable technology, i visited the samsung site and looked at their section on their mobile phone technology. I decided to look specifically at their latest fone, the samsung d900. The samsung d900 is a slider mobile phone and has a small, slim and sophisticated design. This is an example of miniturisation and how technology is getting smaller and slimmer in many cases, enabling portability and giving the potential to fit more into a smaller space. The D900 is packed with the latest mobile technology including a quad band, which means that you can be reached almost anywhere in the world.

The Samsung D900 also has high-quality 3-megapixel camera, which shows the convergence of cameras and mobile phones. With new technology phones has now somewhat replaced cameras as they have excellent picture quality and pictures can be downloaded onto the computer or printed.

Moreover the phone allows you to check you emails or take a look at your documents using the file viewer. This shows both the convergence of the internet and mobile phone technology and how mobile phones can be used instead of computers. This all adds to the convenience factor regarding products such as the D900 which makes life a lot easier. For example it is easier to check your e-mails via the internet on your mobile phone, rather than check them via the internet on your laptop- as the mobile phone option is far more portable and easy to use.

The website also offers high definition pictures of the samsung d900 from every possible angle and in every possible colour. The phone can even be viewed in 3d-mode...this shows that new technolog enables the samsung company to advertise their product more effectively. Also it makes the life of the consumer far easier as instead of going to a phone shop to see the new samsung d900, they can visit the website and even order one online. The site provides consumers with all of the specificaitons of the phone as well as accessories and extras that can be bought...thus effectively advertising the phone.

http://www.channel4.com/lifestyle/?hpos=Lifestyle

i looked at the 'lifestyle' section on the channel 4 website. This section is a niche section for audiences interested in 'lifestyle' programmes. This section of the site is further broken down into categories of health,homes,money,food,cars,family and dating. This is to make navigating around the site easier for visitors and to break down the site to cater to the specfic needs of different people. The website can be seen as an example of convergence and can ac as a replacement of television. This is due to the fact that viewers able to watch episodes of lifestyle programmes, such as 'grand designs' and 'relocation relocation' on their computer via the site. Moreover they can catch up on episodes of programmes that they have missed. This all adds to the increasing flexibility and convenience of the media. Nowadays the media is scheduled around the audience, who can choose when and where to consume it.
Furthermore the site offers visitors the chance to enter competitions to win an 'lcd television' or even a car. This shows the interactive aspect of the site as it offers the audience a chance to get involved with the media texts at hand. Also the 'lifestyle' section of the channel 4 website, alongside various other sections such as 'entertainment' and 'news' are all examples of narrowcasting and targetting audiences with specialist/ niche media.

The website benefits channel 4, as they can advertise their programmes via the internet, which saves them a lot of money. It also benefits various other companies who can use the site to advertise their products on. For example, 'the energy saving trust' have posted an advertisment on the openning page of the lifestyle section, as have 'o2'....the website gives them good exposure and is way for them to cheaply advertise their company.

www.facebook.com - audience activity

When looking at audience activity i decided to look at facebook as it is a good example of a website where audiences can interact with one another, post pictures, videos,blogs and create online communities and societies. The website encourages audience interactivity as the website allows people to interact by sending messages to one another or writing scraps on one anothers 'walls'. The website allows users to create personal online pages with their own pictures, friends and fill in a section about their interests and hobbies. The site encourages audience activity as the website relies on it's members. Moreover websites such as facebook and myspace encourage democratisation. This presents a challenge to more traditional media organisations who up to now have had control over what is accessed, how and when.
The website is targetted at teenagers and people in their early 20s. The site allows users to create their own network by writing what schools/university they attended. Their classmates are then automatically found on the website.
Facebook replaces e-mailing and even text messaging or phone calling. The site makes it easy for people to communicate, even if they are on different sides of the world without spending money or making long distance phone calls. The site is immediate and messages and pictures can be uploaded very quickly.
Moreover the site has benefitted owners of clubs, restaurants etc as they can use the site to inform teenagers and university students about upcoming events. Then, using the website they can personally invite 1000s of people and gain an approximate idea of how many people will attend their club or party. This therefore helps club owners and party organisers market their functions and target their advertising at the younger generation...who are most likely to attend clubs,bars etc.

http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/S/skins/index_main.html

'Skins'
The skins website is aimed directly at the british youth. This is clear through the all-teen cast, use of slang and plots based around issues concerning teenagers. As a result of this, the website must be catered for teenagers and narrowcasted to suit teenagers. On the website users can watch skins trailers, watch unseen skins episodes and even catch up on episodes that they have missed. This is an example of convergence and how the interent can be used to watch television programmes rather than just the television. Moreover, the skins episodes can be seen via 'myspace'. The idea of using myspace has been done in order to increase the programmes appeal tothe younger generation. Myspace is frequently used by teenagers and having a skins webpage on myspace makes it more accessible and appealing to youths. It also provides the conmpany free advertising space and a chance to gather an online fan base and community.
Furthermore on the website users can enter competitions and win prizes, this is an example of interactivity and giving the audience a chance to get closer to text and get involved. However an even bigger example of this on the website is a section entitled 'get involved with skins series 2'. Here audiences have the chance to visit the set during filming in June. Audiences also have the chance to feedback on episodes of skins to the creators of Skins in the MySpace forums, This is an example of interactivity and giving the audience a chance to get involved with the production of the programme.
Audiences also have the chance to sign up to the skins community and receive free information about skins, wallpapers, competitions etc. This gives the company a greater reach by creating an online skins community.

www.dior.com

The christin dior website is split into two sections, one for fashion and accessories and the other for fragrance and beauty. The site is then further split into a men and women's sections, this is an example of narrowcasting as the products for men and women are seperated. As a result of this audiences are fragmented into groups of men and women.
I decided to look at the women's fashion section on the site. This section allows users to choose from 10 countries where they can locate their nearest boutique or shop online. Online shopping is an example of interactivity and gives audiences much more convenience and flexibility as they can order anything from dior without leaving their house. The site offers moving pictures of the latest dior outfits for the current season and a sneak preview of the seasons to come. Moreover, with the use of video technology, audiences can watch a series of dior fashion shows. This is an example of convergence, how the internet can be used to watch film on. Moreover, new media technologies mean that the quality of such videos and images on the site are clearer and allow for enhanced sound/picture quality and more pleasure for the audience.
Furthermore, the site uses online surveillance to target it's consumers more effectively. For example, if you purchase a ring from the dior jewellery section, you will get e-mails and pop ups showing you various other items of jewellery or for instance the matching necklace to the ring that you hve purchased. This is an effective way in which companies target their consumers and thus sell more of their product.

www.apple.com/iphone

When looking at a product that has become a phenomenon and has been much awaited i decided to look at the iPhone. The iphone combines three amazing products — a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, maps, and searching — into one small and lightweight handheld device. This is a clear example of convergence as the iphone merges various technologies into one. iPhone also introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting you control everything with just your fingers. The iphone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, completely redefining what you can do on a mobile phone.
iPhone is a revolutionary new mobile phone that allows you to make a call by simply pointing your finger at a name or number in your address book, a favorites list, or a call log. It also automatically syncs all your contacts from a PC, Mac, or Internet service. And it lets you select and listen to voicemail messages in whatever order you want — just like email.

www.apple.com/itunes

The ipod has taken the natoin by storm and has become increasingly popular amongst people of all ages. The ipod has taken music technology one step further as consumers are able to watch the music videos to their favourite songs, create playlists and manage all of their songs on one,small,portable device. The ipod website has a very colourful and attractive homepage with picture of the product in different, bright colours. On the website, users can see what films and programmes are available to download onto their ipods as well as download music,podcasts and games. The website is a clear example of convergence and shows how products such as the ipod have made watching films and listening to music convenient. The downloads are quick and easy and thus attract people to investing in the ipod.
The website also offers artists a platform to advertise their music on- if they are included on the day's playlists then people are more likely to listen to their music. Moreover the website has a section for 'single of the week', which gives the specific artist or band much exposure.
After looking at the homepage of the site i looked more at the 'ipod shuffle' in more detail. The ipod shuffle coems in five different, attractive colours and allows audiences to wear up to 240 songs on their sleeve, lapel or belt. The ipod shuffle is clip on and is very convenient and lightweight. The product is an example of miniturisation and shows how products are getting smaller and smaller...the ipod shuffle can be compared to large cd walkmans, whcih were extremely inconvenient and involved too much hassle. New technologies such as the ipod put emphasis on comfort and convenience.