One notices that the trend amongst electronic [media] devices is to get smaller and smaller and include more and more features. Hence the explosion of multi-feature (convergence) devices. The most notable of these have been Blackberry, iPhone, iPod and increasingly feature-packed cellphones. Even PCs (specifically laptops) are being built smaller, thinner and lighter. So this trend has been applied to nearly all electronic-media devices. Except one – tvs! No doubt compact devices now also include built-in tvs but those are mere accessories. The real modern trend amongst tvs is to get bigger but thinner. Hence the explosion of plasma-screen and LCD-screen tvs. This trend is the polar opposite of the so-called “portability revolution” that’s being applied to cellphones, computers, MP3 players, etc.

Seeing as how LCD/plasma screen tvs have to be big and how their mega-sizes are a plus rather than a liability, is it viable to apply the “other half” of the modern-electronics revolution to them viz. multi-feature-integration? We see tvs, computers, radios, MP3 players, etc being built into cellphones, etc. Why not build these and other features into large-screen tvs?

Here’s my proposal. Create a device which is nominally a plasma/LCD screen tv. In reality, it would be a large-scale convergence device. The following features would be integrated into it :

1) The tv itself (which is the core-feature)2) Built-in FM radio3)Fully-functional computer (with both onscreen and wireless keyboards) – includes built-in modem.4)Webcam5)Wireless gaming-feature (akin to Nintendo’s Wii)6)MP3 player7)Fully-functional phone (can operate by Bluetooth headset or as a speaker phone).Tv- remote-control also functions as phone’s handset.8)GPS 9)Built-in hard-drive recorder

All these features would be integrated into this plasma/LCD-screen tv. Seeing as the tv-function is its core-feature, the concept of portability is ruled-out i.e rendered a non-factor.

That is my idea. It’s only the core-idea which means I don’t have the technical details of how to actually create it. I am just pitching an idea that otherwise wouldn’t have been thought of. Anyway, all the technology needed to create it already exists in separated forms and need only be gathered from here and there across the electronics sector and be integrated into a single body in the form of this hybrid device. This is not so far-fetched. Think about a device like the Apple iPhone. It is nothing but an aesthetic hybrid of technologies that already existed. Therefore, more-or-less based on my descriptions, the appropriate company would easily be able to design and create the device that I’ve referred to.

Since my idea is only the core-idea, I think that a low price of $ 2 500 (two thousand five hundred dollars) - but preferably converted into my country’s currency viz. South African Rands – is more than reasonable. It could, in fact, be worth billions of dollars to the company that manages to create and successfully market it.

What do you think of this idea or comment?
(You can change your vote at any time)

I agree

No opinion

I disagree