Technological Convergence the Concept of

Technological Convergence The concept of technological convergence is based on the dynamics that bring together initially unrelated technologies to create an innovative, new solution to an existing problem or the fulfillment of an unmet need (Cameron, Proudman, Redding, 2005). Inherent in technological convergence is an exceptionally high level of creativity and focus on the unmet needs of a given audience or segment of consumers, customers or in Business-to-Business (b2B) industries, companies.

The most common forms of technological convergence are based on the integration of initially divergent and separate technologies including voice, video, digital content, and the Internet. Theorists and researchers have observed that technological convergence is also more strategic and process-centric than its technology-based definitions imply (Bores, Saurina, Torres, 2003). The strategic role of convergence is to modify the way people create, communicate, collaborate, learn and interact with each other over (Bores, Saurina, Torres, 2003).

How Technological Convergence Is Created Technological convergence is created when technologies are joined at the intersection of people, processes and systems, with the unifying thread being the development of significant cost, time, and process changes occurring as a result (Ruan, Gopinath, 2010). Often technological convergence has its basis in computing technologies, which act as the platform on which video, voice, digital content and entirely new imaging technologies are also included (Cameron, Proudman, Redding, 2005).

The technological convergence of the Apple iPod, iTouch, iPhone and iPad are all predicated on the platform being the basis of innovation, with the content being where digital convergence occurs. Examples of this include the design-in of video screens on nearly all iPods today and the rapid pace of innovation on the iPad. These devices are the platforms of digital convergence, where iTunes is already being used for ensuring the best possible movies, videos and digital content is provided.

There will continued to be a high degree of digital convergence at the platform and content level as Apple builds out their iTunes ecosystem (Fowler, 2006). In many respects, the iTunes platform and the ecosystem of technological convergence that supports it has become the new "last mile" of digital music distribution (George, Chandak, 2006). The same factors that led to Apple creating the "last mile" for music distribution also applies to cable modems as the delivery platform for the last mile of all forms of digital content, video and Internet access.

The cable modem is also being considered a hub for Voice-over-IP (VoIP) as well. The cable model could in fact become the new platform of digital content delivered into the home (Fowler, 2006). Creating Synergy Inherent in any approach to creating technological convergence is the need for creating enough agility and flexibility in the design to support the multiplicity of needs customers have (Bores, Saurina, Torres, 2003). This has to be accomplished while sneering a high degree of integration and connectivity across all the associated technologies in the new product.

This is apparent in how rapidly smartphones are gaining adoption, as the integration of digital content, voice technologies and enhanced screens are making smartphones grow exceptionally fast compared to other technologies today (Ruan, Gopinath, 2010). The creating of synergies has to be based on a tight integration of these factors together to ensure the highest levels of usability and reliability in an entirely new device, in a new category of the market. Conclusion Technological convergence is accelerating as computing platforms, video, voice, and all forms of digital content continue.