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Technology, Convergence, and the Internet of Things

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Media and Convergence Management

Abstract

Convergence in technologies has brought about significant changes in the way we communicate, socialize, and even work. The convergence has also accelerated developments in the creation of physical smart objects that not only communicate with each other, but also communicate with humans utilizing the Internet. This creates a complex interconnectedness that has been referred to as the Internet of Things. This paper discusses those developments in terms of the media impact, and examines significant issues that are raised in the areas of privacy, security, and legal concerns.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Information, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, CIS 1040, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    John N. Gathegi

Authors
  1. John N. Gathegi
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Correspondence to John N. Gathegi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Kommunikationswirtschaft, Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt, Universitätsstraße 65-67, Klagenfurt, 9020, Austria

    Sandra Diehl

  2. Institut für Kommunikationswirtschaft, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, Universitätsstraße 65-67, Klagenfurt, 9020, Austria

    Matthias Karmasin

Appendices

Questions for Discussion

  1. 1.

    What is the defining characteristic of technology convergence?

  2. 2.

    Describe the ways in which you have seen the television set evolve in your lifetime.

  3. 3.

    Do you think television will survive the next 10 years? If yes, why and in what form? If no, why?

  4. 4.

    Why do you think (or not) the Internet of Things would be vulnerable to attacks?

  5. 5.

    What are some of the copyright challenges you would envision occurring in the Internet of Things environment?

Questions for Reflection

  1. 1.

    Some countries might more readily adapt to the concept of the Internet of Things than others. Think of the different political systems between the USA and China, for example, and discuss how the two countries might deal with the concept. Discuss the specific and unique challenges you anticipate each country to face.

  2. 2.

    What do you think of the concept of the Internet of Things? What are the pros and cons of having ubiquitous smart objects.

  3. 3.

    Discuss a scenario where you would marry the notion of smart objects, communicative media, and health. How and what would you want to achieve?

  4. 4.

    Discuss the idea that people would become connected to things, whether they were willing to be connected or not. Should individuals have the right and capacity to disconnect? How would that affect the entire notion of the Internet of Things?

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Gathegi, J.N. (2013). Technology, Convergence, and the Internet of Things. In: Diehl, S., Karmasin, M. (eds) Media and Convergence Management. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36163-0_15

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